Greyhound quirks – what makes them so unique?

Graceful, gentle, goofy… greyhounds are unlike any other dog. Full of character and all the feels, the fastest dog in the world will win your heart in record time. And as for their unique greyhound traits, there are so many perks to their greyhound quirks, we can’t possibly list them all. Let’s take a look at just a few of the weird and wonderful greyhound characteristics.

Know their noises

Singalong-a-greyhound

These sensitive souls are not afraid to express themselves and can be vocal communicators. Best known for their singing voices, a greyhound can ‘roo’ along to a tune of your choice, or they might prefer their own solo. Harmonies are not guaranteed, however…

[Credit: ‘Singing Dog’, by @paulahansonMyGamingTable]

Greyhound chatter

Cats purr, but did you know greyhounds chatter? If you hear them chattering their teeth together, you don’t necessarily need to run for their stylish overcoat – they often chatter their teeth together when they’re happy and content.

The ‘greyhound scream’

Not that they’re drama queens… but an unexpected surprise can cause them to shriek, known as the greyhound ‘scream’. Anything from standing on something unfamiliar, to having a bath, or their nails clipped – they’re as individual as we are. So, try not to panic if you hear one, it’s most definitely NOT the end of the world.

Unique greyhound behaviour

Lean on me

When it comes to cuddling, greyhounds go all in. If they lean in to you with their full body weight, it’s their way of getting to know more about you. So, brace yourselves, it’s always a heart-melting moment – and don’t fall over!

Expert ‘knitters’

Greyhounds do love a snuggle, but this isn’t about colourful blankets. ‘Knitting’ is a quirky behaviour where they appear to nibble the air, or you. It’s gentle and a sign of happiness, excitement and playfulness, not biting.

Greyhound zoomies

Known for their speed, you might not be surprised to learn that greyhounds can be prone to a spot of the zoomies. If they’re excited or happy to be outdoors, they love to share their joy, with exuberant jumping, running and circling, but it doesn’t last for long, the sofa’s calling…!

[Credit: ‘Greyhound zoomies at the beach ’, by @FurryTails,]

Greyhound roaching

These goofy creatures love nothing more than to lie on their backs, legs at all angles, with their tongues hanging out – otherwise known as ‘roaching’. It’s a sign they’re super comfortable in their environment. Not many dogs do this with quite such an impact, or for as long – some of them even sleep this way!

Appetites: From zero to bowl in two seconds! Greyhounds love their food, and their speed to the bowl is lightning fast. Don’t leave food lying around if you don’t want it eaten. And prepare for some serious puppy dog eyes when they’re ready for their next dish!

Sit! No thanks…

Everything you think you know about training dogs might not apply to these unique hounds. Did you know they don’t really ‘do’ sitting? Whilst they do sometimes sit down, it’s awkward for them due to their long legs, deep chests and relatively short backs. Many greyhounds prefer to either lie down or stand instead. They sometimes adopt a ‘sloppy sit’ where their legs stick out to the side. Just another adorable greyhound quirk! Lying down, however… they’re very good at that.

Am I bothered?

Something that surprises many people when adopting a greyhound is just how laid back and, frankly, nonchalant, greyhounds can be. They’re not called the 45mph couch potato for nothing.

Seeing is believing

Greyhounds are ‘sighthounds’. This means, despite those lovely long snouts, they rely more on their vision. Once they spot something and lock in, they may want to chase it, especially while they’re being recall trained. It’s one of the reasons it is recommended to use wide collars and harnesses for greyhounds, together with the size and length of their necks.