The Spanish Greyhound is an athletic, intelligent dog with a reserved personality. They might be timid around strangers and will avoid meeting new individuals. They are extremely loving with their family & could even develop feelings for persons they don’t see daily.
The Spanish Greyhound is a sweet dog that gets along well with children of all ages. Expect to begin socializing with your Spanish Greyhound at a young age to help them to overcome their fear of new settings. They do not react to severe demands. Therefore training is rather simple as long as reinforcement is applied.
Spanish Greyhound History
The history of the Spanish Greyhound is a bit hazy, and there are a lot of ideas about where they came from. According to popular belief, the Spanish Greyhound was created by breeding the Irish Greyhound with Sloughi or Scottish Deerhound.
This old breed’s history was not chronicled until the early 1900s, by which time it was too late to precisely trace their ancestors. The Spanish Greyhound, also known as the Galgo and Galgo Espanol, was called after the Gauls, a Celtic tribe that lived on the Iberian Peninsula in the sixth century.
According to historians, the Celts obtained different sighthounds from Phoenician traders, and the Moors invaded Spain in the eighth century, bringing African sighthounds with them.
The Spanish Greyhounds are considered to have been crossed with these mysterious African sighthounds by the Moors. However, due to their speed and toughness, most of today’s Spanish Greyhounds may be traced back to Irish Greyhounds. Originally, the Spanish Greyhound was solely possessed by nobles and regarded greatly.
On the other hand, the poorer classes began taking these canines and breeding them in an indiscriminate manner.
Despite their magnificent appearance, they lost favor among the aristocrats and were seen as garbage to be held solely by the lower classes. Because of over-breeding, the Spanish Greyhound’s general look altered. More color variants, as well as a variety of coat textures, became permissible.
The Spanish Greyhound started to shift again in the early twentieth century when it was bred with English Greyhound to develop a speedier breed. The English Greyhound & the Spanish Greyhound are both regarded to be among the world’s quickest breeds.
The Anglo-Spanish Greyhound was the name given to the cross, but the Anglo was omitted after a few years. The Spanish Greyhound is scarcely seen outside its native Spain, and many canine clubs do not recognize it.
Spanish Greyhound Characteristics
Greyhounds have a slim, athletic physique with an extended head & long, thin legs that are distinctive. This breed is graceful. They have a black nose and dark coloring on their eye rims & lips.
Their eyes are obliquely angled, almond-shaped, and tiny. Their eyes are normally black, but they can be a light amber hue if their coat color is lighter. They feature trapezoidal ears with a rounded tip and a broader base. The back of the Spanish Greyhound is somewhat arched, with the dog’s rear being higher than the front.
How Big Can A Spanish Greyhound Get?
The Spanish Greyhound is a small breed with males standing between 24 & 27 inches in height at the withers & females between 23 and 27 inches tall.
How Long Can A Spanish Greyhound Live?
The lifespan of this breed is 10-14 years on average.
How Much Does A Spanish Greyhound Cost?
The cost of this breed is around 1200$-1500$.
Spanish Greyhound Personality/Temperament
The Spanish Greyhound is better defined as reserved and quiet. They are warm and loving with their family members yet shy or hesitant with others. When they visit nonfamily members regularly or nearly daily, they might demonstrate affection.
Early interaction is critical to prevent them from being extremely timid. When they grow overly reliant on their family, they might develop separation anxiety. It’s critical not to encourage this tendency by forcing them to spend time apart.
They might be active, but they will be quiet and comfortable at home if they receive enough exercise. The Spanish Greyhound, like a sighthound, cannot get along with tiny pets in the house.
They can get along with cats and small dogs, but ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other non-canine pets should be properly monitored. When they are not with you, they must have access to a fenced yard.
Spanish Greyhound Nutrition
A Spanish Greyhound is a large dog that only needs 2.8 cups of high-protein and carbohydrate dog food.
How Do You Groom A Spanish Greyhound?
Brushing Spanish Greyhounds at a minimum once a week is recommended. Brushing the smooth-coated version with a gentle slicker brush or hound glove is required. Their nails should be cut every few weeks, although they are sensitive about handling their feet because they are sighthounds.
If their feet have not been handled much since puppyhood, nail clipping might be a stressful experience for them. It would help if you brushed your pet teeth once a week with a toothbrush.
Spanish Greyhound Activity Level
The Spanish Greyhound is a high-energy breed that requires regular exercise. They are, however, simple to live with once they have gotten their exercise and will lay by your feet at night. Long walks alongside your Spanish Greyhound are a great way to get some fitness and bond with him.
Daily trips to the dog park, where they can run about and interact with other dogs, are also a terrific way to let off steam. Playing catch in the garden is another fantastic method to get them to extend their legs and have some exercise so they can stay calm indoors.
Spanish Grey Hound Health Concerns
When shopping for a dog, one of the most important factors is the dog’s health. Purebred dogs are often regarded as less healthy than hybrid breed dogs, and they are more prone to health problems.
On the other side, the Spanish Greyhound is an outlier. This breed is generally healthy, with few health concerns to worry about. Other than elbow and hip dysplasia, this breed is free of other ailments.
Similar Breeds To A Spanish Greyhound
- American English Coonhound
- Magyar Agar
- Ibizan Hound
Best Dog Food For Spanish Greyhounds
The best dog food for Spanish Greyhounds is Purina Pro Plan Adult Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food. It is a meal with shredded chicken and other essential nutrients that helps your Spanish Greyhound get all the necessary nutrition. Plus, it has an accurate protein and fat balance for complete wellness and health.
- The kibble has chicken as the chief ingredient
- Vitamins and minerals support it for nourishment
- It is easy to digest and is not hard on the gut
Best Puppy Food For Spanish Greyhounds
The best puppy food for Spanish Greyhounds is Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken Meal & Oat Recipe Dry Dog Food. This meal gives the precise nutrition for your Spanish Greyhounds growth years and supports healthy digestion. Plus, it has adequate balance to control bone growth and provide all needs.
- The kibble has glucosamine to provide mobility support
- The unique blend of antioxidants and vitamins help in better immune health
- It is a natural blend with no artificial ingredients
Best Dog Crate For Spanish Greyhounds
The best dog crate for Spanish Greyhounds is MidWest iCrate Fold & Carry Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate. It is a highly convenient crate that permits better placing and is easy to take anywhere along with you. Also, it comes with a divider panel and composite pan to add convenience.
- It is simple to carry and easy to fold
- It comes with a divider panel for adjusting the space inside the kennel
- The double doors add up to the convenience of easy placing
Best Dog Bed For Spanish Greyhounds
The best dog bed for Spanish Greyhounds is FurHaven NAP Ultra Plush Orthopedic Deluxe Dog Bed w/Removable Cover. It has a silky soft material that gives maximum comfort and eases while sleeping. Furthermore, the bed has a unique orthopedic foam to relieve extra painful pressure.
- The egg crate design evenly distributes weight while sleeping
- It has unique materials to keep your Spanish Greyhound cool in summer and warm in winters
- The cover is washable and easy to clean for hygiene
Best Dog Harness For Spanish Greyhounds
The best dog harness for Spanish Greyhounds is PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness. It is very comfortable and has variable straps for a better fit. Plus, it is an ideal harness for gaining control and training your Spanish Greyhound.
- It does not pull the sensitive throat region
- The chest straps help in giving an ideal fit for maximum comfort
- You can easily train your Spanish Greyhound with it
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