Greyhound Dog Breed Facts & Information

By Heather Logue

Whether you’re hoping for a cuddle on the couch, or a sprightly jaunt around the park, there’s no partner in crime quite like the Greyhound. Graceful and elegant, this affectionate breed is happy to keep you company – much like they’ve been doing for thousands of years. Plus, there are usually plenty of opportunities to adopt an older Greyhound that has retired from racing, which is a wonderful way to ensure them a happy, comfortable life.

Is a Greyhound the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile.

Breed Characteristics

Key

Low
Medium
High

Origin: Middle East
Size:
Weight: 50-85 pounds
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Breed group: Hound
Activity level:
Barking/howling level:
Good with dogs: yes
Good with kids: yes
Good with cats:
Shedding:
Easy to groom:
Easy to train:
Protective:

Greyhound Appearance

Greyhounds are a very recognizable breed, with willowy bodies, deep chests, and slender heads with delicate ears that flop backwards. Their graceful canter also sets them apart – with their feet appearing to not even touch the ground!

Their coats are short and smooth and come in a massive amount of colors; everything from fawn, gray, and white, to black, red, blue, and various shades of brindle. Keep in mind how thin their coat is though, which is why you see so many Greyhounds rockin’ sweet sweaters and coats when they’re strolling down the streets with their families.

Greyhound Personality

Greyhounds are affectionate and lovable dogs, with a special place in their hearts for family. They aren’t always quite as thrilled with strangers, which is why some people describe them as aloof (though maybe they’re just a tad shy?). They’re also very sensitive, so it’s important to be encouraging and kind – and a treat will generally win you a friend for life.

Obviously Greyhounds have a reputation for being “sporty” since they can run like the wind, but really this breed just loves a nice, cozy nap. They basically just need to exert a bunch of energy quickly (and boy, are they fast!), and then they’ll spend the rest of their day relaxing and dozing off.

Ideal Environment for a Greyhound

Because of their size and athletic ability, you might be surprised to discover that Greyhounds actually make wonderful apartment dogs, since they spend much of their day sleeping and relaxing. Of course, they’ll be happy in a house as well – just so long as wherever they are they get a little exercise every day (and lots of love).

Ideal Human for a Greyhound

Though Greyhounds get along with almost everyone, their best match is someone with lots of time to devote to them. It’s also important that their human make the effort to socialize them, and that they’re someone who doesn’t leave them alone all the time.

Greyhound Dog Training

Greyhounds are a bright, intelligent breed, which means that training them can work well so long as you’re careful to keep them on leash unless they’re fenced in. This is especially important because they are known to hunt smaller prey – so if you’re training them around squirrels or cats, they’re likely to take off chasing them.

They can be a little stubborn sometimes with training, but if you’re confident, kind, and stocked with treats, you’ll have a well-trained pup on your hands in no time. They also love pleasing their human partner, and want to feel bonded, which means they’ll do their best to make you happy.

Since Greyhounds can sometimes get nervous around new people and things, it’s very important to socialize them early on by introducing them to a variety of situations, people, animals, and locations. By showing them the world around them, and making them feel comfortable and safe with you as they explore it, they’ll gain the confidence to be the well-adjusted, well-behaved pup you know that they can be. Above all this breed really just wants to please their loved ones, and their smarts and charm mean that any effort you put into training them will be well worth it.

Greyhound Grooming

Greyhounds are boasting a pretty fine coif, so it’s important to be extra careful with the skin underneath. Since they are susceptible to scrapes and cuts, it’s important to us a gentle rubber curry brush on them, as that will get rid of dead hair and skin, while also helping reduce shedding.

Another area to keep an eye on? Those Greyhound chompers. This breed tends to have poor dental health, so brushing their teeth is essential to keeping them healthy. It’s best to begin dental care at a young age so that they’re able to adapt to someone touching their mouth and teeth early on.

Greyhound Health

For the most part, Greyhounds are generally pretty healthy, with the most common issues being Anathesia sensitivity (most likely due to their low body fat), Hypothyroidism, bone cancer, and Bloat.

Greyhounds generally live from 12 to 15 years, and with the proper exercise, food, and regular trips to the vet, your pup will have a good chance at a long and happy life.

Greyhound Breed History

Greyhounds are thought to be one of the oldest dogs breeds (perhaps around 8,000 years old), and have always been depicted in art and literature throughout the ages. In ancient Egypt they were even considered gods, and their deaths were mourned deeply.

Later, Greyhounds were spread by Romans to areas of England and Ireland, where they became hunting dogs, and then in the early 1900’s, Greyhound racing began in the United States. In fact, they became one of the first breeds to appear in American dog shows.

Getting a Greyhound

Greyhound breeders

It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other. A good, trustworthy breeder should have records of the parents’ lineage, too and should be able to tell you more about the specific litter.

The American Kennel Club website is a great place to start your search for a reputable breeder. Make sure you wise up on puppy mills and internet scams—following some simple steps can help avoid further funding of this terrible practice, and help you end up with a pet whose breeding and early-life experience will more reliably result in a well-adjusted dog.

Adopting a Greyhound

Due to their speed, Greyhounds are have been commonly used for racing, and once their “career” is over they’re often sent to a retired racing dog to rescue. Search for some in your are, as that is a great way to rescue a wonderful dog and give them a good, happy life.

A surrendered dog will often already be well trained and simply in need of a new, loving home. You can find rescue centers local to you with a quick internet search. A Greyhound can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way. So whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy

Whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy.

More on Greyhounds

If you’re simply in love with Greyhounds, then you’ll be craving what we’ve got for you next. From the most important facts about adopting Greyhounds, to tips on how to walk them, to the most popular Greyhound names and more:

The Essential Guide to Dog Breeds