Traits, Personality and Behavior
The Chart Polski, or Polish Greyhound, is not just a bigger, heavier greyhound. He has a very different temperament from the greyhound.
While greyhounds are gentle, tractable dogs often suited for novice owners, the Chart Polski may well be too much dog for most people. His combination of speed, size and strength, along with a hefty helping of determination and more than a little territorialism, mean he needs to belong to someone who can give him fair, firm training and guidance from an early age.
The Chart Polski loves to run, and his desire to chase things is extremely powerful. That impulse is very likely to over-ride any amount of training your young dog has had, so safely fenced areas to run and play are essential for a puppy or young Chart Polski.
By the time he's older, if you put the effort into training him to come when called, you may be able to be less strict about fences. However, some owners of Chart Polski are never able to let their dogs off-leash in unfenced areas. He can also be aggressive with strange dogs.
The Chart Polski is a tall, muscular but slender dog, and weighs anywhere from 65-95 pounds. His short coat comes in a rainbow of colors, and can get a bit bushy in the colder months. It's fairly easy to groom, but owners who skip routine brushing will find shedding a problem.
Health Issues Common to the Chart Polski
Chart Polski are typically very healthy, but are considered at risk for some health problems, including some forms of cancer.
Chart Polski are more likely than many breeds to bloat, a condition in which the stomach twists on itself, cutting off blood flow. Bloat and torsion strikes very suddenly, and a dog who was fine one minute can be dead a few hours later. Watch for symptoms like restlessness and pacing, drooling, pale gums and lip licking, trying to throw up but without bringing anything up, and signs of pain. Bloat requires immediate veterinary surgery, and most dogs that have bloated once will bloat again. That means it's wise to opt for the procedure known as "stomach tacking," which will keep the stomach from twisting in the future. This procedure can also be done as a preventive measure.
Chart Polski are at risk for cardiomyopathy, which causes an enlarged heart. An annual heart exam is critical in catching this condition early, and no dog with cardiomyopathy should ever be bred. Nor should any Chart Polski be bred without a comprehensive heart examination by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist.
A good breeder will be able to discuss how prevalent these and other conditions that have no genetic screening test are in her dogs' lines, and help puppy buyers make an informed decision about health risks to their dog.
| Condition | Risk Profile | Cost to Diagnose and Treat |
|---|---|---|
| Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (Bloat) | High | $1,500-$7,500 |
| Cardiomyopathy | Medium | $500-$1,500 |
4 Tips to Bring Home a Healthy Chart Polski Puppy
If you decide a Chart Polski may be right for you, make sure to select a breeder who is a member in good standing of the Chart Polski Association of America. A good breeder will match you with the right puppy, and will without question have done all the health certifications necessary to screen out health problems as much as possible.
Puppy or adult, take your Chart Polski to your veterinarian soon after he becomes part of your family. Your veterinarian will be able to spot visible problems, and will work with you to set up a preventive regimen that will help you avoid many health issues.
Although Chart Polski are never found in pet stores, the advice to never, ever, ever buy a puppy from that source still stands. You're more likely to get an unhealthy, unsocialized and difficult to house-train puppy and will be supporting the cruelty of high-volume puppy mills.
Make sure you have a good contract with the seller, shelter or rescue group that spells out responsibilities on both sides. In states with "puppy lemon laws," be sure you and the person you get the dog from both understand your rights and recourses.
Pet Insurance for Chart Polski
Pet insurance for Chart Polski costs more than for mixed breed dogs. This is because Chart Polski are more likely than mixed breed dogs to make claims for hereditary conditions that are expensive to treat. Embrace dog insurance plans offer full coverage for all breed-specific conditions (excluding those that are pre-existing) to which Chart Polski are susceptible. The best time to get pet insurance for your Chart Polski is when he's a healthy puppy. You can't predict what will happen in the future and pet insurance is the one thing you can't get when you need it the most.