Roaching is a sleeping position that many dogs use when they’re entirely comfortable with their surroundings. Roaching is when the dog lays on their back with their legs up in the air and its belly exposed.
While it’s a cute position, it can look a little odd due to the length of their legs, and some greyhound parents might find it a little alarming at first. But don’t worry, it doesn’t mean anything bad.
Let’s go over everything you need to know about greyhound roaching!
Why Is It Called Roaching?
Roaching is the simple term for the position as it looks like a dead insect on its back. The term ‘roach’ is short for cockroach.
Because of the position’s sinister connotations for insects can make owners think that their greyhound is unwell. However, it’s typically quite the opposite, meaning they’re comfortable and content.
Why Do Greyhounds Roach?
Contentment
Roaching exposes the greyhound’s stomach, leaving them open to attack if they are more dangerous.
The fact that they’re comfortable enough to expose their most vulnerable parts to you means they’re absolutely relaxed in your presence. They trust you and feel at ease when you’re around.
Comfort
With such long legs, it could be challenging to find a comfortable position to lie in. Roaching allows them to get their legs out of the way and truly relax comfortably without having to shift around to find a better position.
Playtime
The greyhound roaching position doesn’t always happen during sleep. As it’s a comfortable position, you might catch them doing this when they’re relaxing while awake or just before playtime.
The roach position is a hangover from puppyhood, where they would wrestle with their siblings and use their legs as a tool in play fighting.
Attention Seeking
If your greyhound is roaching while relaxing with you on the couch, it could be because they’re hinting that they’d like some attention. Roaching exposes their stomach, meaning they’re in the perfect position for belly rubs.
Heat Regulation
Because of a greyhound’s body type and fine, short fur can be sensitive to heat or cold temperatures.
Like most other mammals, the underside of their body is the hottest side. It’s where their major organs are and the blood vessels closest to the skin’s surface.
Roaching lets your greyhound cool down by letting some heat escape and exposing their organs to cooler air.
Similarly, if it’s cold, you’ll often find your greyhound curled up in a ‘normal sleeping position.’ This helps them to retain and recycle their body heat.
Back Scratches
One of the apparent reasons for the roach position is as a way for your greyhound to scratch their own back.
When they’re doing this, you’ll spot the normal roach position, usually accompanied by a wag of the tail and a wiggle. This is just, so the floor beneath them hits the right spot.
How Often Do Greyhounds Roach?
It’s a myth that greyhounds need lots of exercise and are always active. In fact, they’re pretty lazy and can sleep for anywhere between 16-18 hours a day.
Around 20% of this sleep time will be in a roaching position, so you’ll often see it, especially in young greyhounds.
The rest of the time they will lay on their sides – pushing their legs out to the side or curled up in a ball like other dogs.
These are also completely normal positions for a greyhound to lay in, so don’t be alarmed or assume something is wrong if they change positions regularly.
Dog Bed
Due to to the amount of time and the positions that your greyhound is in when sleeping, it is essential to ensure they have an appropriate greyhound-specific dog bed.
Why Do Greyhounds Need To Sleep So Much?
Fast Metabolism
Greyhounds, along with other sighthounds, need much more sleep than other dog breeds. Their body build doesn’t allow for much fat storage, and their metabolism is incredibly fast.
This means they need to sleep for a long time to recover their muscles after running and conserve energy for their next burst of speed.
Anxiety Or Stress
Greyhounds also suffer from stress and anxiety, especially in new environments or when left alone.
(Read my full article about greyhound in apartments.)
Although this anxiety can be controlled by keeping their minds occupied and giving them reassuring company, sleeping can be a way for them to relieve stress.
Crate Training
Crate training is also a great way to control separation anxiety in greyhounds as they don’t feel the need to protect the whole house while you’re gone – they focus on their small area.
If you have a crate-trained greyhound and you’re out of the house a lot, they’ll likely sleep most of the time you’re gone, reserving their active hours for you when you’re home.
However, it can be difficult for them to roach while in a crate due to the size of the area. If your greyhound is in a crate a lot, they’re less likely to roach as they’ve learned that it’s not its natural sleeping position.
Do Other Breeds Of Dog Roach?
Roaching isn’t limited just to greyhounds, but not all dogs roach.
You’ll see the sleeping position most often with sighthounds (greyhounds are a part of this group) and larger dogs, but it’s rarely seen in smaller dogs or dogs with a different body type.
Sighthounds are dogs similar in appearance and stature to greyhounds, such as whippets, Salukis, or Afghan hounds.
They get their name because they’re built for chasing down prey with speed, using their exemplary vision to see their prey and be fast enough to catch it.
Scent hounds or other breeds of dogs differ here, as they usually use scent to track and stalk the prey, getting as close as possible before making their move as the prey would outrun them over long distances.
Sighthound’s long legs and slim body type make them aerodynamic enough to catch prey, but it also means that their legs are more impractical for laying in a normal position with their legs folded underneath or out to the side.
Small dogs with shorter legs can easily get comfortable in other positions by folding their legs up.
Should I Worry If My Greyhound Doesn’t Roach?
Not all greyhounds roach, so if yours doesn’t, that’s fine. Usually, roaching signifies that your greyhound feels comfortable and secure in their surroundings. It will take your greyhound some time to feel this way.
Retired Greyhound Roaching
If you have a retired greyhound, it may take much longer to get into the roaching habit. As racing dogs, they won’t have been exposed to a comfortable home-like setting until they retire and came to you.
If they previously lived in a kennel, they won’t have had the opportunity to roach as much, as it’s unlikely they’d be used to a plush, fluffy carpet like the one you have in your home, so roaching won’t have become a habit.
When they first enter your home, it’ll be a new, alien setting for them. They won’t understand mirrors, windows, the hoover, or your cat.
Although their new surroundings anxiety will eventually reduce, it’s natural for them to feel a bit out of their depth initially. Roaching will develop more frequently as time passes, and they’re surer of themselves.
Summary
So, when greyhounds roach, it’s normal behavior and a compliment to you too. Clearly, your greyhound feels at home and comfortable with you.
And if your greyhound doesn’t roach, it’s nothing to worry about, it may take them some time to get into a routine that they recognize and feel relaxed in. Roaching will probably develop as they get older.
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