Probably the worst part of owning a Galgo Espanol is having to explain to folks over and over that…
“No, he’s not a Greyhound, he’s actually a Galgo Espanol!”
Which in the grand scheme…
Of things probably isn’t all that big of a deal, because at the end of the day, these guys actually make really good pets for just about any family. But are they the “right” dog breed for you?
That’s the real…
Question, and one that we hope we’ll be able to answer for you here in this article. Because if you’re ever given the opportunity to get your hands on one of these awesome animals, the last thing that you want to do is adopt one if they aren’t going to be a good “fit” for you and your family.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Galgo Espanol Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Spain
Original Purpose: Hunting Dog
Height: 24 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 50 to 65 pounds
Life Span: 10 to 13 years
Dog Breed Classification: Not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC).
Origin of the Galgo Espanol dog breed.
The Galgo Espanol Dog hails from the region of Galgos Del Sol in Spain. Here, in his home country, he will commonly be referred to as a Galgo, or as a “canis gallicus” which in Latin, means Celtic Dog.
You see…
These sighthounds have existed in Europe for more than 2,000 years, and aren’t actually “native” to Spain, but rather they are believed to have been brough to Spain during the Morish invasion of Spain meaning that these dogs are generally believed to have been developed by crossbreeding many of the different sighthounds that were in existence back then.
Originally used to hunt…
Wild dogs once, these beautiful animals where slowly breed to become extremely agile and quick, quick enough to hunt rabbits (hare) and other small animals as well.
Unfortunately…
Because the Spanish Galgo is similar to the other greyhounds such as the Ibizan Hound, Italian Greyhound and the Silken Windhound these guys have yet to become “officially” recognized by the by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC).
However…
We here at IndulgeYourPet believe that once they become more popular throughout the United States, this breed like those other “types” of Greyhounds will eventually become fully appreciated and recognized by all of the dog organizations worldwide.
Currently…
They main problem for them is that they just aren’t all that popular as of right now, but you but you will find them in dog sports and events organized by the American Sighthound Field Association.
Physical Characteristics of the Galgo Espanol
The Spanish Galgo is a typical hound, very different in appearance from a terrier or a spaniel. He is tall and wiry for one. And while he may be very tall, he weigh much considering his height – just around 60 pounds.
And with all this…
Height, you need to understand that he will be tall enough and athletic enough to jump over any fence easily. He can run really fast when he wants to and is at his fastest when on the hunt.
These guys also have..
A really smooth coat, so smooth, it almost adds to their “aerodynamic” appearance. The good news for his owners is aht this shorthaired coat really doesn’t shed all that much so grooming these big guy is pretty easy.
You just need to…
Make sure to clean his ears periodically and be sure to keep an eye on his tone nails so tha they don’t grow too long. And while were on the topic of hygiene, it probably wouldn’t hurt to give him a bath at least once a month or so.
Personality and temperament of a Spanish Galgo
The Spanish Greyhound or the Spanish Galgo is generally quiet and a bit reserved. He is not too hyperactive and does not bark incessantly like some dog breeds.
Combine this with…
That fact that these guys are very affectionate and loyal to his human family and you’re beginning to see why we here at IndulgeYourPet are such BIG fans of these guys.
Oh…
And did we mention that these guys love kids? Because if not, this is something that you should definitely know about the Galgo Espagnol.
And even though…
These guys are an active and energetic dog breed, they aren’t always active and energtic. They just need to be given a chance to run and play. So, just be sure that you Galgo gets his morning walk and a chance to run around in the afternoon, and your guy will be more than happy to spend the rest of the afternoon watching TV with you!
But remember…
The Galgo Spangnol is a hound dog. And more specifically, he is a “sighthound” that has been developed for centuries to do one thing…. Hunt! So just be aware that these dogs are always going to be on “alert”.
On alert to…
Chase down any and every small little creature that enters into their line of sight. This is why if you do decide to adopt a Spanish Greyhound puppy, you’ll want to be sure to “socialize” him or her early on while he or she is a puppy so that they can learn how to “behave” around other dogs and pets.
Once you’ve done…
That however, we think that you’ll find that your Galgo Espagole will behave like a perfect gentleman with all creatures both big and small.
Health Issues of the Galgo Espagnol dog breed.
There really isn’t much information available on the Spanish Galgo’s health problems. There are two reasons for this.
- One, there aren’t too many of Galgo Espanol Dogs around and most of them are in Spain.
- Two, the Galgo appears to be a very healthy breed, much healthier than many of the terriers and spaniels we can think of.
Still, there are some…
Health issues you should worry about. This dog is known to suffer from muscle spasms and toe injuries when running. Bone cancer or Osteosarcoma is another condition that is known to afflict some Spanish Greyhounds.
This is why…
You’ll want to find a good, reputable breeder who is willing to provide you with proof of DNA tests and the CHIC certification to prove that the Spanish Greyhound comes from a healthy lineage and be sure to ask about any family history of such cancers so that you can try to minimize your potential risk of adopting a puppy that may develop cancer later on.
That said however…
There really are no guarantees when it comes to adopting a new pet which is why we always recommend that all of our readers also consider possibly purchasing a pet insurance policy at the same time they choose to adopt a new puppy.
This way…
If your pet does end up getting sick or injured later on in life, you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of the vet bills later on!
For more information about who we “feel” currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies in the industry, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance article.
