Usually when dogs shiver they do it for two reasons: they are cold, or they are scared and afraid.
However, greyhounds are dogs with very special characteristics that, although the previous rule can be applied to them, it is also true that they can tremble for various other reasons. There are various factors that very often punctuate the life of a greyhound, usually bad, which forges a very tense temperament, and as it is said colloquially: "They are on the jump."
If you want to know the answers to your question: Why is my greyhound trembling?, continue reading this article on our site and you will get to know your dog better.
Greyhound origin
The place of origin of the greyhound is essential to know the subsequent reactions of the animal. A greyhound that is adopted from the execrable world of greyhound racing will probably be a skittish animal due to the mistreatment and food shortages of its previous commercial life.
On the other hand, he will become a tremendously affectionate and faithful dog with the people who adopt him and take him away from his infamous previous life. Fortunately, the adoption by conscientious people of this type of magnificent pet is becoming more frequent.
Rural origin
This provenance is usually the worst of all. In rural Spain, the greyhound is the species most used by hunters and other individuals who use them to cross bets in various hunting modalities.
These greyhounds must be young, strong and, above all, winners. Losers are routinely hanged to their death because their traditionally virile owner considers shooting them in the head an excessive expense; and that with the rope that has hung his old greyhound, or young loser, he will be able to hang many others later. It is a very old and treacherous way of recycling ropes in our "culture".
Unfortunately it is not usual for greyhounds that come from the rural world to end up in shelters for dogs and can be adopted by people with hearts. Once they have lost, or have stopped winning, they are not worth the least bit of food for one more day, nor the diesel to bring them closer to an animal shelter.
El galgo tirita
The greyhound can shiver from the cold. This happens with other short-haired species, such as the boxer. Apart from their extremely short hair greyhounds lack body fat, so they are very unprotected against the winter cold.
It is not uncommon to see urban greyhounds walking protected by warm body coverings. If you take your greyhound for a walk to a mountain in the middle of winter, you will notice that after a few minutes the poor thing tries to return to everyone's car. Discover how to protect your dog from the cold.
Afghan greyhounds, thanks to their beautiful fur, do not shiver with the cold, since it is a dog adapted to the climatological rigors of the Afghan mountain ranges. Nor do fearful Afghan hounds exist in practice, quite the opposite. These greyhounds are dogs that come from affluent backgrounds and have been well cared for, giving them a very solid self-confidence. In Afghanistan these extraordinary hunting dogs are considered very valuable possessions, being able to reach old age with dignity and physical integrity.
Muscle tremors
Greyhounds are very fast dogs, and like other racing animals, horses for example, their muscles have episodes of sudden localized tremors(usually on the flanks) that last for seconds and with which they tone their muscles with these brief fibrillations. If this happens in other dogs, the existence of longer hair on their bodies hides this phenomenon.
Nervous tremors due to illness
Eventually there are greyhounds that have episodes of tremors caused by nerves. These nerves may be caused by somatic or psychosomatic illnesses.
Usually when there is a disease or bodily injury the tremors are continuous and can lead to seizures. It is necessary to immediately go to the vet to diagnose and treat the greyhound. When the dog's illnesses are mental, depression for example, the appearance of tremors in the dog is frequent. Veterinary care is required.
Thunder and firecrackers
Thunder and firecrackers scare many dogs of different breeds, causing them to take refuge under the bed and be very nervous, trembling with fear.
There are greyhounds that can tremble under these circumstances, but no more and no less than any other breed of dog. If this happens, it is convenient to notify the veterinarian in case he can offer us a solution to calm our dog when he is afraid of loud noises.
