Greyhound Dog Breed Information

Group

Hounds

Weight

11-16 kg

Height

55-75 cm

Lifespan

10-15 years

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About the Greyhound

Reviewed by:

Dr. Julia Brassel

Veterinarian

Interested in owning a Greyhound? Greyhounds are well-known for being used in dog races, due to their explosive physical abilities, but there’s so much more to discover about them.

What is the history & origin of the Greyhound?

Ancient Egyptian art shows several long, slender dogs, and it is possible that these were ancestors of the modern greyhound. Other evidence suggests that these dogs were common in the Middle East in biblical times, indeed some versions of the Bible text refer specifically to a greyhound. They were also a regular sight in Ancient Rome, and the Romans took their dogs with them around Europe as they built their Empire. Many European countries then began to regard greyhounds as sacred animals. In the 10th century, King Howel of Wales even made the killing of a greyhound punishable by death.

Greyhounds were used in hunting to chase foxes, hares, deer, and the like, which perhaps isn’t surprising when you consider that they can reach speeds of 45 miles per hour (72 km/h). Their slender build does, of course, make them ideal in any situation where speed is a requirement.

In the 20th century, greyhound racing became increasingly popular as a spectator sport. Many people still enjoy a trip to the dogs today, but greyhounds have become increasingly popular as family pets.

What is a Greyhound breed?

A Greyhound is a sleek, elegant, and incredibly fast dog. Known for their gentle nature, these dogs come in various colors, including fawn, black, brindle, and white.

Greyhounds have long legs and a slender body, giving them a graceful appearance. Despite their speed, they are surprisingly calm and enjoy lounging around the house. They are friendly and get along well with families, making them great companions.

Overall, Greyhounds are a wonderful mix of athleticism and affection, perfect for both active outings and cozy evenings at home.

Learn more about: Greyhound Colours

Who is a Greyhound best for?

Of course, greyhounds are much in demand from anyone who wants to make a career out of dog racing. They are, however, great small pets for anyone prepared to give them the love and attention they need.

Many families get their dogs from greyhound rescue groups – you’re less likely to get one from a pet store. The National Greyhound Adoption Program is a well-established scheme in the US that looks after the welfare of retired racing greyhounds. These families then get to nurture one of the sweetest, gentlest, most elegant of all pets.

Greyhound Grooming & Shedding

A greyhound has a smooth, short-haired coat and doesn’t need daily grooming. A weekly brush with a bristle brush or similar will probably be enough. They also don’t shed as much hair as many dogs. Loose dog hair can, however, be removed using a rubber curry brush or similar.

Learn more about: Greyhound Grooming Tips & Styles

Do Greyhounds bark a lot?

On the whole, a greyhound is a quiet dog breed. Like many breeds, however, they might bark when anxious, when seeking attention, or when they meet another dog.

What is the average weight & height of a Greyhound dog?

Many greyhounds are between 55cm and 75cm tall, although breeds such as the Russian are likely to be taller. An adult male greyhound might weigh 11 to 16kg and a female greyhound between 9 and 14kg.

Learn more about: Greyhound Size & Weight Chart

Are Greyhounds easy to train?

Training a greyhound is very important. One of the first things you’ll learn is that they do like to chase smaller animals and small dogs, but with the right training, hopefully, they will stop doing this.

As with any other dog, the main thing a greyhound needs from its owner is love and affection. In addition to their running sessions, they probably need two walks per day.

You also need to perfect the familiar commands such as ‘walk’, ‘no’, ‘sit’ etc. and ensure that your greyhound responds to these. Reward-based training can also be important – let them know when they have been good.

As with any breed of dog, there are lots of training manuals for greyhounds, as well as formally run courses they can attend. Using the services of a professional dog walker can also be very valuable.

Learn more about: Greyhound Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

How do Greyhounds behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Remember that greyhounds enjoy sprinting, and need regular vigorous exercise. No greyhound could ever be described as a couch potato! Taking them for a jog is, therefore, unlikely to suit them. It’s much better to let them run around a small, fenced-in area.

A greyhound can be somewhat sensitive. They are naturally shy and might get startled when touched. As you might when raising a sensitive child, they need to meet other people and animals and visit a variety of places in order to overcome their shyness.

A greyhound is generally good with children, although you will need to ensure your children don’t steal their food, as this can aggravate them.

Although you might think of them as active animals, greyhounds might surprise you as they often want to spend a lot of time resting.

Learn more about: Greyhound Temperament & Personality Traits

Does the Greyhound have any common health issues?

If you own a greyhound, take care not to leave them outside for a long period, especially in cold weather. As they have so little body fat, this could cause them harm.

Greyhounds are generally healthy dogs but are more likely than certain other breeds to experience certain health conditions. Greyhounds might, for example, be more likely to have allergies contract cancer or experience heart problems. Because they do so much running and have fragile, thin legs, they are more likely to experience leg fractures and muscular injuries. Also, a large proportion of vet visits for greyhounds are for dental health problems.

Some of the most common health problems in male and female greyhounds are:

Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (Bloat): A life-threatening condition where the stomach twists, requiring immediate veterinary attention.
Musculoskeletal Injuries: Due to their speed and thin legs, greyhounds are at risk for fractures and strains, especially from vigorous activity.
Polyneuropathy: A neurological condition affecting nerve function, leading to weakness and coordination issues.
Drug Sensitivity: Greyhounds may react differently to certain medications, requiring careful monitoring and dosage adjustments.
Bone Cancer (Osteosarcoma): This aggressive cancer is more common in greyhounds and often necessitates amputation or intensive treatment.

Learn more about: Common Greyhound Health Issues

What is the lifespan of a Greyhound?

Greyhounds tend to be healthy into their old age. Their likely life span is between 10 and 15 years, but they frequently retire from racing at five years old or younger. This means that, for most of their lives, it’s up to pet owners to give them the care they need in order to remain healthy dogs.

How much does a Greyhound need to be fed?

Two meals a day with a good mix of meat (perhaps 500 grams worth) and kibble dog food (maybe two cups) will be sufficient for most greyhounds. Given that they are prone to dental problems, sheep brisket is one of the recommended meats. They obviously need plenty of clean water as well, perhaps as much as seven cups per day.

Learn more about: What to Feed a Greyhound? Diet & Feeding Chart

How much can you expect to pay for a Greyhound in Australia?

Using the Greyhound Adoption Program, you might be able to get a greyhound for between $150 and $200. Otherwise, a greyhound puppy or adult dog might set you back between $2,500 and as much as $15,000 if you buy one in the open market.

Learn more about: Greyhound Prices In Australia

Greyhound FAQs

Do adult Greyhounds get on well with other animals, including other dogs?

Greyhounds are a sensitive breed and are not known for being aggressive towards other pets. Many greyhound owners care for other types of dogs as well and haven’t reported any friction between their individual dogs.

Greyhounds might, however, start barking or growling on meeting other dogs, but this is far from unusual in the dog world in general.

Where can I find responsible breeders of Greyhound puppies?

When seeking a breeder, it’s best to go to a reputable organisation such as the American Kennel Club, or the equivalent in your own country. In the United Kingdom, this would be the Kennel Club and Australia has the National Kennel Council.

Approved breeders will have all agreed to abide by rigorous codes of practice. Organisations such as the Kennel Club can also assist you in verifying the veracity of any claims made by a breeder regarding the pedigree of an individual dog.