Longdog

		Longdog
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Longdog

The Longdog is a cross between Greyhounds and other breeds, including Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds and Whippets. The cross may be made to create a dog with greater stamina or agility. Depending on the crossbreed, Longdogs are used to chase rabbits, hares, foxes, deer and coyotes. Longdogs are found mainly in the American West or in the Rocky Mountain regions. They are not recognized as a breed in their own right, as they are used solely for hunting. The Longdog displays typical Sighthound characteristics: it is calm, affectionate but not demonstrative, and loves to give chase. Because of their laid-back personality, they are not really watchdogs, let alone guard dogs. Its size and appearance can, however, be enough to scare off intruders. Like the Greyhound, he can make do with a long daily walk and the chance to run free in a large, secure enclosed space. He should always be walked on a leash, otherwise he's likely to chase after a small furry creature.
Confine him to your yard with a fence that provides a visual barrier. An underground electronic fence that emits a shock when the dog crosses it is useless with a Greyhound, as he can walk right through it. Don't forget that the Longdog's height of 61 to 76 centimeters and its hound-like appetite make it an extraordinary counter-surfer. Put food out of reach if you don't want him to help himself. The Longdog is an independent thinker, but he can learn the basics of good canine behavior if you use positive reinforcement techniques, including food rewards. Start training when he's young and still somewhat malleable, keep training sessions short and fun, and avoid harsh corrections. He's an indoor dog. He's an unhappy Longdog if he's relegated to the backyard with little attention from his family. He'll appreciate access to furniture or soft bedding to cushion his long, bony body.
The most common crosses to obtain Longdogs are the following: Saluki and Greyhound, Scottish Deerhound and Greyhound and Whippet and Greyhound.
Sighthound crosses bring certain characteristics that can enhance the dog's hunting abilities. For example, the aim of a Saluki and Sighthound cross is to create a dog with the stamina of a Saluki and the acceleration of a Sighthound. The aim of a Greyhound-Whippet cross would be the speed of the Greyhound and the agility of the Whippet.

History of the Longdog

For thousands of years, people have been crossing different types of dog to achieve a certain appearance, temperament or working ability. This is how many well-known pure breeds came into being, such as the Affenpinscher, the Australian Shepherd, the Russian Black Terrier, the Brussels Griffon, the Dobermann, the German Wirehaired Pointer, the Leonberger and many others. But crossing two breeds ad infinitum doesn't make a breed. A breed is a group of animals related by descent from common ancestors and visibly similar in most of their characteristics. To achieve consistency in appearance, size and temperament, breeders must select puppies with the desired characteristics and breed them over several generations so that these characteristics are fixed. Crosses such as the Longdog have become popular over the last 10 or 20 years, as people look for dogs that are different from the usual Yorkie or Poodle, or that they feel have certain attractive characteristics. For example, it's often claimed, wrongly, that crossbred dogs are hypoallergenic, have fewer health problems or carry the best characteristics of each breed. Unfortunately, genes are not so malleable. Genetic traits are randomly distributed in every dog, and unless certain characteristics are selected for over several generations, there's no guarantee that you'll get the best of every breed. And whatever the breed or mix, an individual dog can be more or less allergic, intelligent or healthy.

Appearance of the Longdog

Greyhounds and Greyhound crosses such as Longdogs tend to have a similar temperament: they're generally calm at home, affectionate but not clingy, and love to chase any moving object, especially if it's furry. They can get along with other pets like cats and small dogs if raised with them, but be smart and don't forget the strong hunting instinct this dog probably possesses. Even if they seem to be the best of friends, vigilance is essential. Longdogs do best in homes where they are safely confined to a yard and walked on a leash, unless they're in an area where they can run without fear of being hit by cars.

Temperament of the Longdog

Start training your puppy from the day you bring him home. Even at the age of 8 weeks, he's capable of absorbing anything you can teach him. If possible, enroll him in a puppy kindergarten class from the age of 10 to 12 weeks, and socialize him relentlessly. Be aware, however, that many puppy training classes require certain vaccinations such as kennel cough to be up to date, and many vets recommend limiting exposure to other dogs and public places until puppy vaccinations, including rabies, distemper and parvovirosis, have been completed. As an alternative to formal training, you can begin to educate your puppy at home and socialize him with family and friends until the puppy's vaccinations have been completed.

Needs and activities of the Longdog

All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as all people have the potential to inherit a particular disease. Shun any breeder who doesn't offer a health guarantee on puppies, who tells you the breed is 100% healthy and has no known problems, or who tells you his puppies are isolated from the rest of the family for health reasons. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about the breed's health problems and how often they occur in his lines.
That said, Longdogs are a pretty healthy breed. Because of their deep chest, they can be prone to gastric torsion. There are so few of them that it's hard to say what health problems they may eventually develop, but a common problem in large Greyhounds is osteosarcoma. Other problems to be aware of include a heart condition called cardiomyopathy and hypothyroidism. In the course of their work, Longdogs can suffer from torn toenails, foot or muscle injuries, heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Careful breeders screen their breeding stock for genetic diseases and breed only the healthiest, most beautiful specimens, but sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas and a puppy develops one of these diseases despite good breeding practices. Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, in most cases, dogs can still live a good life. If you're buying a puppy, ask the breeder about the age of the dogs in his line and what they died from.
Don't forget that once you've welcomed a new puppy into your home, you have the power to protect it against one of the most common health problems: obesity. Keeping a Longdog at an appropriate weight is one of the easiest ways to prolong its life. Make the most of diet and exercise to ensure a healthier dog for life.

Maintenance of the Longdog

Depending on the parent breed, the Longdog may have a long, rough or smooth coat. In most cases, weekly brushing will keep the coat healthy and free of loose hair. The rest is basic maintenance. Trim nails as necessary, usually every two weeks. Remember that Greyhounds are extremely sensitive to the touch of their feet, and do your best not to clip the tips of the nails, which is extremely painful. Good dental hygiene is also important, especially when crossing with Greyhounds. Some Greyhounds are prone to periodontal disease. Brush his teeth frequently with a vet-approved toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath.