Overview
The Rampur Greyhound was developed in the state of Rampur as a coursing hound tough enough for rough country and hot weather. It is heavier boned than a track Greyhound, with a longer head and a reputation for being aloof with anyone outside its family.
Walkers rarely come across one in the UK. Those who do will find a dog that spends most of the day resting and asks for one real chance to run. The challenge is not stamina, it is the moment something small moves at the edge of the field.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour a day is plenty if part of it is a genuine gallop. Two lead walks of thirty minutes and one safe sprint session most days will keep a Rampur fit and settled. Hours of road work bore them and do nothing for the muscles they actually use.
They feel the cold. A short, close coat and lean frame mean the dog will shiver on a wet February morning, so a fitted coat is part of the kit, not a luxury.
On the walk
- Prey drive: Hares, rabbits, cats and anything that sprints will be chased, and the dog can be two fields away before you have finished calling. Fenced areas only for free running.
- Recall: Fine while nothing is moving. Build the recall you can with high value treats, but never bet on it near wildlife or livestock.
- Other dogs: Usually easy with other sighthounds and indifferent to the rest. Small fluffy dogs that run can be mistaken for prey, so keep introductions calm and still.
- Lead: Sighthound necks are slim and the head slips a normal collar. Use a wide fishtail collar or a harness the owner has fitted, and keep the lead short near roads.
Tips for professional walkers
- Scout the fenced field for gaps and gates before unclipping; a sighthound finds the one hole you missed.
- Keep a muzzle in the bag if the owner uses one; many sighthound owners do for off-lead time.
- Warm the dog up with a few minutes of walking before any sprinting to save the muscles and toes.
- After a run, check pads, toes and the thin skin on the flanks for cuts.
- Give the dog a quiet, soft place to lie in the van. They bruise on hard floors.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog ever chased and caught anything, and is there any animal it is particularly fixated on?
- Does the dog wear a muzzle off the lead, and is it used to one?
- How does it cope with cold and wet weather, and does it have a coat it will wear?
- Is the dog comfortable with strangers handling it, or should greetings be left to the owner?