- HubPages»
- Pets and Animals»
- Dogs & Dog Breeds»
- Selecting a Dog
Which breed of dog won't need much exercise?
If you are trying to decide on a dog breed that fits in with your lifestyle it requires you to consider many factors, not least of which is how much time or inclination you have to exercise a dog. In this day and age many of us lead very busy lives, and finding time to walk an energetic dog is not always a viable option. If you are reading this hub I assume you have already been sensible enough to consider this before going out and buying or adopting a totally unsuitable breed, and have instead decided you need to find a breed that won't need much exercise, but will still make a great family pet or personal companion.
You have probably had lots of suggestions already made to you, and it is true to say that for many reasons a lot of dogs will not require as much exercise as others, e.g. older dogs, toy breeds, disabled dogs etc. But whilst it is a great option to give any of those dogs a home, (and I fully endorse the idea), what if what you really want is a fully healthy, youngish dog that is not too small, but will also not need too much exercise. Enter the Greyhound!
Okay, right now most of you are probably reeling backwards and making disbelieving noises, after all, haven't you seen Greyhounds sprinting around dog tracks at speeds in excess of 70 km/h? Well, it is true that Greyhounds do reach incredible speeds, and that they were bred for hunting originally, but what most people do not know is that Greyhounds are actually one of the laziest dog breeds you could ever take on. Essentially they are much like a Cheetah, they can cope well with short bursts of speed, but when it comes to stamina they are somewhat lacking and would rather be curled up by a nice fireplace or on your bed!
Sadly Greyhounds are often given a very bad press. People mistakenly believe they will need hours of exercise every day and that they will naturally chase and kill cats and other small creatures. I have owned a Greyhound and have known many more over the years, especially through my time working within veterinary practices. It is fair to say that you will find some Greyhounds that try to chase cats and other creatures, but usually these tend to be ex-racing Greyhounds. The problem can be solved by placing them in a muzzle when they are out in public places, but make sure there actually is a problem before you assume the worst. See how they react around cats and other pets, and if you are planning to adopt an ex-racing Greyhound, the rescue organization should be able to advise you of how the dog has behaved when it has been introduced to other creatures. As you can see from the photo that heads this article, my own Greyhound had no issues with cats at all, and in fact she would happily snuggle up with the cats on my bed and never even considered chasing them, (to be honest she was quite subservient to them and they ruled the household).
The main misconception is that Greyhounds will need constant exercise and are high maintenance dogs because of this. This couldn't be further from the truth, especially as a Greyhound is one of those breeds that you virtually have to haul out of their beds in order to get them to go for a walk. When you do take them out for a walk they are perfectly happy to come home after half an hour, immediately returning to their dog bed, (or your bed given half a chance) and settling down with an expression of complete contentment all over their faces whilst looking up at you lovingly with their huge 'Bambi' eyes.
There are quite literally thousands of Greyhounds that have served their time on the racing tracks and now need good homes. They are still young dogs, and all they crave is love, a warm bed, some nice food and a short walk every day. In return they will give you the love back tenfold, show your children and grandchildren just how gentle they are, and will be forever grateful that you gave them a loving home. Even if you don't take on an ex-racing Greyhound, there are plenty of Greyhounds that didn't 'make the grade' and never raced, but still need a human family to take them in and love them.
Please please don't ever be put off adopting a Greyhound because you think you will spend the rest of your life walking it, or because you believe they are likely to be aggressive towards cats. This couldn't be further from the truth and I am certain you will not regret giving a Greyhound a home, not least because of the many comfortable hours you can spend being 'couch potatoes' together.
Just one example of how lazy Greyhounds actually are!
Did you know that Greyhounds needed very little exercise or was it a surprise to read this?
If you are looking for a dog which requires little exercise would you now consider a Greyhound?
If you have owned a Greyhound would you agree they need very little exercise?
If you have owned a Greyhound would you agree they make great family pets?
Lazy Dog Breeds by Habee
- Lazy Dog Breeds
This article provides a list and descriptions of lazy dog breeds.
#11 of 30 in the March 2012 Challenge