PolandPurpose & Origin
The characteristics and behaviour of the modern Polish Greyhound can be understood by looking at the history of the breed.
As a large, relatively heavy-boned and territorial dog, it has been used in Poland and the steppe regions of southern Russia not only for hunting but also as a guard dog. In hunting, the breed’s main prey has been hare and fox, but wolf hunting is also mentioned.
Its absolute loyalty to its family has made it a reliable and sociable companion.
Early Polish Greyhound breeders were purposefully selecting large individuals for breeding, which is why it is the largest greyhound breed nowadays. The obsession for size is believed to have resulted from aspirations to use these dogs for hunting wild boar in the early 20th century.
This size trend (which is rare for greyhounds) is the reason why the Polish Greyhound is not particularly agile, but it does run with a long stride and a lanky rhythm and has a good hunting instinct.
Temperament & Behaviour
The Polish Greyhound is an independent, prey driven, territorial and intelligent dog that is naturally reserved or even suspicious of strangers and other animals.
Socialising a puppy often requires patience from the owner, as well as persistent and methodical training of the dog to cope with new and strange things and situations.
With a Polish Greyhound, you should be prepared for the fact that the dog will go through a period of mental growth up to well over two years of age. This means that it takes time to adapt to new situations.
Other dogs in the family can be a great help, as the breed readily adopts behavioural patterns from its own pack and forms a strong bond with it.
A Polish Greyhound that is accustomed to meeting unfamiliar people, dogs and environments trusts its owner and moves confidently from place to place.
The guarding tendency varies greatly between individuals, but in its strongest form it applies to everything possible: the dog’s own space and food, the home, the car and family members. Then, of course, there are individuals who never guard anything.
A strong relationship of trust with the owner and eagerness to contact, combined with a reasonable desire to please, make this dog relatively easy to train.
In addition to basic obedience, the Polish Greyhound can easily learn various routines and “tricks” to make life easier. It can also be used for activities such as agility or search and rescue, in addition to the breed-typical running sports.
Polish Greyhound Matures Slowly
The breed is very slow to develop both physically and mentally, especially the males. The breed does not reach maturity until around 3-4 years of age.
Health
The Polish Greyhound is currently a fundamentally healthy breed. There are hardly any hereditary diseases typical of the breed.
During the first years you should be prepared for various sores and bruises on the limbs, which are the result of frantic sprinting. Usually these lacerations heal without the need for a vet.
Grooming
As a short-haired, undercoated dog, the Polish Greyhound does not require frequent washing, trimming or brushing.
The need for brushing occurs mainly in the spring when the dog sheds its winter coat. The need for washing varies from individual to individual.
Even though Polish Greyhound is a short-haired greyhound, it does not necessarily need clothing in freezing temperatures, as a dog that spends a lot of time outdoors will grow a thicker undercoat for the winter. This keeps it warm even in temperatures down to around -15°C (5 °F)when walking without clothing.
However, a dog that spends most of its time indoors will not develop the same amount of undercoat, so the need for clothing will vary depending on the individual and the conditions.
What Kind Of Person Is Polish Greyhound Suitable For?
The Polish Greyhound is a breed for people who want a companion. A dog requires time from its owner – and this doesn’t just mean puppyhood.
Polish Greyhound requires a reasonably large amount of exercise throughout its life. Especially during puppyhood, free running on a daily basis is absolutely essential for the development of the bones and muscles. Leashed walks are not adequate for this purpose, as they do not allow the dog to exercise his coordination properly.
Polish Greyhound is a versatile hobby dog, but most of them love lure coursing, which engages them in activity that’s written deep in their DNA as a sight hound.
Obedience trials, agility and various types of nose-working activities are also suitable for the breed, depending on the individual and the relationship between owner and dog. However, exercise is a natural way of life for these dogs, so sports that allow the dog to release its energy and use its nose alongside its eyes are usually the most rewarding.
Even temper is not a bad thing for the owner – especially if you happen to own a young dog with a strong guarding instinct. A sense of humour is also required, as the Polish Greyhound can be quite mischievous and will often deliberately tickle the owner’s funny bone.
The Polish Greyhound is suitable for any type of housing, from apartments to detached houses. Inside the home, the dog is usually a very calm companion that enjoys snuggling up under the owner’s arm or taking part in the day’s chores as an observer.
