Summer and Sighthounds:
The moment the sun appears, your sighthound will find a patch of it. They'll stretch out, belly up, eyes closed, soaking it in like a lizard on a rock. It's adorable. It's also the beginning of a problem, because sighthounds and heat are not a great combination.
Thin skin. Almost no body fat. A coat that offers about as much protection as a single sheet of tissue paper. They're built for speed, not for sunbathing. And while a British summer rarely gets truly dangerous, it doesn't take much to tip a sighthound from comfortable to struggling.
Here's what we've learnt about keeping them safe, cool and happy when the temperature climbs.
Walk smart, not less
The biggest change in summer is when you walk, not whether you walk. Early morning and late evening are your best options. Before 8am and after 7pm is a good rule of thumb, but use common sense. If it feels hot to you, it's hotter for them.
The pavement test is worth doing every time. Place the back of your hand flat on the tarmac. If you can't hold it there for five seconds, it's too hot for their paws. Sighthound pads are thinner than most breeds and they burn easily. Stick to grass where you can.
Shorten the walks if it's warm. Fifteen minutes is fine. Your hound would rather have a shorter, comfortable walk than a long one that leaves them panting in the hallway for an hour afterwards.
They actually do get sunburn
This surprises people, but yes. Sighthounds can burn.
White and light-coloured hounds are most at risk, particularly on their noses, ear tips and any areas where the skin is pink and the coat is thin. Bellies too, especially if your hound's favourite move is roaching in direct sunlight.
A pet-safe sunscreen on exposed areas is worth considering on genuinely sunny days. Apply it to the nose, ears and any bald patches. Check the label. Some human sunscreens contain zinc oxide, which is toxic to dogs. Look for one specifically formulated for pets, or ask your vet what they'd suggest.
And if your hound insists on sunbathing, which they will, move them into the shade periodically. They won't do it themselves. They'll lie there until they're medium rare if you let them.
Hydration isn't optional
This sounds obvious, but it's worth saying. Fresh water, always available, topped up regularly. On walks, carry a portable water bottle or a collapsible bowl. Don't assume there'll be a stream or a puddle.
Signs of dehydration to watch for include dry gums, excessive panting, lethargy and a loss of skin elasticity. Pinch a fold of skin on the back of their neck. If it doesn't spring back quickly, they need water and possibly a vet.
On very warm days, a few ice cubes in their water bowl can help. Some hounds love crunching them. Others look at you like you've ruined a perfectly good drink.
Heatstroke is an emergency
Sighthounds overheat faster than most breeds. Low body fat means less insulation from temperature extremes in both directions. They feel the cold in winter and the heat in summer more acutely than your average Labrador.
Signs of heatstroke include heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, vomiting, disorientation and collapse. If you see these, act fast. Move them to shade. Apply cool (not cold) water to their ears, paws and belly. Offer small amounts of water. And get to a vet immediately.
Never leave a sighthound in a car. Not for a minute. Not with the windows cracked. Not while you pop into the shop. Just don't.
The garden gauntlet
Summer brings its own set of garden hazards that are easy to overlook.
Barbecues: Skewers, bones, corn on the cob, hot coals. All dangerous. All irresistible to a curious hound. Keep them well away from the cooking area and watch what guests leave on low tables. Sighthounds are tall enough to counter-surf without trying.
Slug pellets and fertilisers: Many are toxic. If you use them, check they're pet-safe. Better yet, keep your hound away from treated areas entirely.
Open doors and windows: Summer means doors propped open, gates left ajar, windows flung wide. Sighthounds are fast, quiet and opportunistic. A gap is an invitation. Check your fencing. Close the gate. Don't give them a head start.
Insects: Thin skin means bites and stings affect sighthounds more than thicker-coated breeds. Check them over after walks, especially around the face, ears and paws. Wasps love a roaching greyhound almost as much as we do.
Cooling them down
A few things that work well when it's properly warm.
Cooling mats: Gel-based mats that stay cool without refrigeration. Most sighthounds take to them quickly. Some ignore them completely and lie on the hottest patch of floor available, because sighthounds.
Damp towels: A cool, damp towel draped over their back can help bring their temperature down. Don't use freezing water. Cool is fine. Cold can cause shock.
Paddling pools: Some hounds love them. Most stand in them looking deeply betrayed. Worth a try either way.
Frozen treats: Frozen banana, frozen carrot sticks, a lick mat with yoghurt frozen onto it. Simple, cheap and keeps them occupied while cooling them from the inside.
The best bit of summer
For all the caution, summer evenings with a sighthound are genuinely magical. The air cools. The light goes soft. And your hound, who has spent the entire day doing absolutely nothing, suddenly decides it's time for zoomies.
Forty-five seconds of flat-out, ears-back, ridiculous sprinting around the garden, followed by an immediate collapse and a look that says, 'I have no idea what just happened.'
That's summer with a sighthound. A bit of care, a bit of common sense and a whole lot of joy.
The Savvy Sighthound is a small, independent website built by sighthound enthusiasts in the UK and Ireland. We share practical tips, honest stories and hard-won wisdom about life with greyhounds, whippets, lurchers and sighthound mixes. No sponsors. No sales pitch. Just real life with long dogs.
We're sighthound lovers, not vets. If you're ever unsure about your hound's health or wellbeing, always speak to your vet.
