Prepare for unexpected vet bills
The Greek Harehound, while quite intelligent and devoted, has a tendency to be impatient and becomes destructive when they are confined. For their own safety, and the safety of any cats or rabbits in the general vicinity, it is important for this breed of dog to learn how to control their impulses. One way that trainers recommend teaching independent dogs to control their impulses is through modifying games, like Red Light, Green Light, that many children played as schoolchildren. Red Light, Green Light helps to encourage impulse control in both dogs and children, as well as encourages a quick and clear response to spoken commands.Â
The competitive activity of hound trailing was developed in the eighteenth century as a way to evaluate the speed and tracking ability of English hunting dogs in Cumbria, like Beagles, English Foxhounds, and Bloodhounds. Trails of anise seed and paraffin are laid down over several different types of ground and the dogs race over the fields, and the dog that first reaches the finish line, where the scent ends, wins the race. The Greek Harehound was originally developed to track and hunt rabbits in the mountainous regions of Greece, and they have a very good sense of smell and a high drive to locate and catch their quarry.Â
Another great sport for dogs with high prey drive is Fast CAT. This offshoot of Lure Coursing is similar in nature to Lure Coursing in that a lure is pulled along very quickly with a pully for dogs to chase. With Lure Coursing the lure is pulled along in a zig-zag pattern, requiring the dog to make quick changes to catch it but in Fast CAT, short for Coursing Ability Test, the lure is pulled on a straight 100 yard dash, with no twisting or turning, allowing judges to get a better idea of the dog’s actual speed. While only certain breeds are given the opportunity to compete in lure coursing competitions that are hosted by the major kennel clubs, any breed of dog can compete in Fast CAT competitions. Â