Activities For Polish Greyhounds
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Introduction
Polish
Greyhounds are a rare breed in the North America but just like any sight hound,
they do need activities to keep them from becoming excessively bored and
destructive. There are many different activities that you can do with your
Polish Greyhound that celebrate their sight hound capabilities. However, there
are also activities that are excellent for any type of dog and encourage a
strong bond between owner and dog. When picking an activity, take the time to
research the pros and cons before deciding to give it a try.
Lure Coursing
Lure coursing is when sight hounds chase a lure across a field in a pre-determined pattern. Most Greyhounds, including the Polish Greyhound, do not need extensive training in lure coursing because of their natural prey drive and love to chase things. You can test your dog’s ability to chase using a flirt pole. If your dog seems more than willing to chase the lure, then lure coursing is the ideal activity for your dog. It can be pricey to compete in lure coursing but the fun that you have while doing so makes up for the cost. All dogs must be at least one year old to compete.
Straight Racing
Dog racing has earned somewhat of a bad name because of the treatment of some of the dogs. However, you can still enjoy straight line racing with your Polish Greyhound without the stigma of the large, professional dog racing rings. There are many dog clubs across the country that offer recreational straight racing and even award titles based on performance. Racing can be physically demanding on your Polish Greyhound so have them thoroughly checked by your veterinarian prior to beginning training. Straight racing can be expensive with training and entry fees, but most Polish Greyhounds are naturals in straight racing and training should be relatively easy. Older dogs should not be raced and any dog under one year of age should also not be raced.
Obedience
Polish Greyhounds are intelligent dogs that want to please their owner. They are more than capable of being competitive in obedience. Your dog must be able to safely be around small dogs without showing aggression. Having an obedient dog makes for a happier home and peace of mind for you when you are out with your dog. A dog that performs in competitive obedience can become a fantastic asset. You will form a close bond with your dog while you are training for obedience trials and your dog can earn several different titles while competing. Most obedience trials are held indoors so weather is not a problem; it can be somewhat pricey with the cost of classes and entry fees.
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Agility
This fast paced sport may be a little too intense for your Polish Greyhound if they are sensitive in nature. They are expected to run off leash through an obstacle course while you control their movements with your voice and body movements. Training can be expensive and time consuming but it is a fun way to bond with your dog.
Therapy Work
When properly trained, the Polish Greyhound is a well behaved and gentle dog. They do make excellent therapy dogs and enjoy going into hospitals, nursing homes and schools. There may be some instances where a high stress situation is too much for them to handle. As their handler, you should be aware of their moods and their abilities as a therapy dog.
Conclusion
Polish Greyhounds need some type of activity to keep them happy and healthy. However, some activities can be physically trying on your dog. Some of these activities are not suitable for very young or very old dogs. Research each activity before diving in to make sure your dog is able to handle the strain of the activity. The main thing to remember when picking an activity is finding the one that will foster the bond between you and be the most fun.