So Your Dog is a “Hound Snob” — Now What?

First of all… embrace it!
If you adopted a Greyhound, chances are you were drawn to their elegance, calm nature, and gentle spirit. Well, your Greyhound might just be drawn to other dogs that share those same traits much like you are! And that makes sense—just like us, dogs often feel most comfortable around others who behave and communicate like they do.

Think about it: if you spent your early years only around people who looked or acted a certain way, you’d probably feel more comfortable around them than with people who were completely different. Most Greyhounds spend the first 2–5 years of their life with other Greyhounds—dogs who look, act, and move like they do. They’re often raised with their littermates and have minimal exposure to different dog breeds, let alone cats, kids, or busy households. Then, almost overnight, they’re adopted and suddenly face a world filled with unfamiliar faces—some with floppy ears, curly tails, and high-energy greetings – something completely inappropriate at times in the Greyhound’s world!

I always joke that if Greyhounds were people, they’d be sipping fine wine and nibbling cheese at a quiet wine bar—while Labs would be at the sports bar, downing a pitcher of beer and cheering at the game!

Understanding Social Preferences
While Greyhounds are incredibly adaptable, some may struggle when socializing with other breeds. And that’s okay. Your goal as their human is to help them navigate this new world with realistic expectations and support.

Let’s be honest: not every dog is going to love every other dog—and that’s perfectly normal. Do you want to make small talk with every stranger at the grocery store? Probably not. Dogs are no different.

Instead of forcing greetings on leash (which often creates stress and tension), allow your dog the time and space to assess new dogs on their own terms. Keep in mind that a tight leash interferes with their ability to use scent and body language—two crucial tools for canine communication.

Learning to read your dog’s body language is key. Subtle signs of discomfort can easily go unnoticed if we’re not paying attention. Dogs will often try to avoid conflict, but if they’re repeatedly put in uncomfortable situations, their stress may build and escalate into more.

Why Greyhounds May Be Selective
It’s completely natural for a calm Greyhound to have little interest in rowdy puppies or bouncy retrievers. High-energy dogs often have greeting styles that feel “rude” or overwhelming by Greyhound standards. Plus, many breeds—like pugs or boxers—have facial structures that make it difficult for other dogs to interpret their expressions. A Greyhound, who’s used to reading subtle cues from similar-looking dogs, might find these features confusing or even alarming.
Add to that dogs with surgically altered appearances—like cropped ears or docked tails—and it’s easy to see why your Greyhound might hesitate or avoid certain interactions.

Breed traits and physical features also play a role in communication. Dogs rely heavily on body language, facial expressions, and subtle signals to interact. But some breeds, like Pugs and Boxers, with their flattened faces and larger heads (a result of what’s called neoteny—the retention of juvenile features into adulthood), can be harder for other dogs to read. A happy Pug looks much the same as a worried or angry Pug, making it confusing for a Greyhound raised among dogs with clearly readable expressions and mannerisms.

Now imagine a Greyhound seeing a Doberman approach: cropped ears in permanent alert mode, and a surgically docked tail that removes another vital communication tool. It’s easy to understand why your dog might feel uneasy, growl, or want to create some distance.
To truly understand this behavior, we have to talk about early development. Puppies go through a critical socialization window that closes around 16 weeks of age. During this time, their brains are like sponges, absorbing experiences that will shape their responses to the world as adults. Most Greyhounds, however, spend those formative months with their littermates and other Greyhounds, with little to no exposure to other breeds, species, or life experiences outside the racing world.

Socialization
That doesn’t mean Greyhounds can’t learn to socialize—it just means we need to manage our expectations and approach things with patience and empathy. A helpful comparison: imagine a person who didn’t attend preschool or elementary school. They can still thrive socially as an adult, but they may miss some of the social learning that happens early in life. Similarly, Greyhounds may need a bit more support when it comes to navigating a socially complex world.

As dogs mature, their social preferences change too—just like ours. A puppy might want to play with every dog they meet, but an adult dog tends to become more selective. That’s completely normal. Expecting your adult Greyhound to greet every dog like an old friend is simply unrealistic.

Many adopters are told to “expose their Greyhound to everything” early on, but exposure alone is not socialization. In fact, if the experience is overwhelming or frightening, it can have the opposite effect. Think of it this way: if someone is afraid of water, throwing them into the deep end of the pool won’t help. If someone is afraid of heights, you wouldn’t expect them to be fine after spending an hour on the 50th floor. It’s the same with dogs—slow, positive experiences are key. One calm, well-mannered dog can do more for your Greyhound’s social skills than a chaotic trip to the dog park.

Training Methods
Unfortunately, some outdated training methods—including “flooding” (exposing a dog to their fear until they shut down) or harsh tools like prong collars, e/shock collars, and leash pops—are still being used by some trainers. These methods may suppress a behavior temporarily, but they do nothing to change the dog’s emotional response. Worse, they often increase fear and anxiety. Just because a dog stops growling or barking doesn’t mean they feel better—it usually means they’ve learned it’s not safe to express themselves, which can lead to more serious behavior problems down the line. This is called “fallout.”

Instead, the most effective, humane approach is through counter-conditioning and desensitization—changing your dog’s emotional response by pairing the scary thing (like another dog) with something positive (like treats or praise). Food, in particular, is a powerful tool because it activates brain circuits that reduce fear and promote feelings of safety and reward. With patience, practice, and help from a qualified, force-free trainer or behavior consultant, most dogs can build new, positive associations.

Need help?
If you want to learn more, reach out for a consultation. I do in person and virtual lessons. I have decades of experience with Greyhounds and sighthounds from fostering to sharing my home with them. I would love to help you help your sighthound navigate his new world.