Introduction: What is a Greyhound Dog?
When I first met a Greyhound, I thought it would run everywhere and never stop moving. I was wrong.
The Greyhound walked into my home, looked at the couch, and laid down like it had always lived there. This dog was calm and quiet.
That day changed what I knew about Greyhounds.
Yes, Greyhounds are the fastest dogs in the world. Yes, they can run 45 miles per hour. But here’s the surprise: Greyhounds are calm, gentle, and loving dogs who love comfort and routine.
This guide will teach you everything about Greyhound dogs. You will learn if a Greyhound is the right dog for you.
History of Greyhound Dogs: How Old is This Breed?
Greyhounds are one of the oldest dog breeds in the world.
Pictures of Greyhound-like dogs appear in Egyptian tombs from over 5,000 years ago. These dogs were owned by kings, queens, and rich families throughout history.
In old Europe, only special people could own Greyhounds. This is why you see them in old paintings and stories.
Why were Greyhounds first bred?
People bred them to hunt fast animals like rabbits. Greyhounds use their eyes to see prey and their speed to catch it.
Later, people started racing Greyhounds. Racing made them famous, but it also made people think wrong things about them.
What Do Greyhounds Look Like? Size, Weight, and Appearance
Greyhounds have a special body made for running fast.
Greyhound Size and Weight
- Height: 27 to 30 inches tall
- Weight: 60 to 70 pounds
- Life span: 10 to 13 years
Greyhound Body Features
- Long, thin legs
- Deep chest for big lungs
- Flexible back
- Short, smooth coat
- Long, thin tail
- Small head with long nose
Their body lets them run very fast. They have a special way of running where all four feet leave the ground twice in one step.
Greyhound Colors and Coat Types
What colors do Greyhounds come in?
- Black
- White
- Red
- Blue
- Fawn (light brown)
- Brindle (striped pattern)
- Many mixed colors
Greyhounds have short hair that feels smooth. They do not have much fur.
Greyhound Personality: What is a Greyhound’s Temperament?
Are Greyhounds Good Pets?
Yes! Greyhounds make wonderful pets. Here’s what they are like:
- Calm and quiet inside the house
- Gentle with people
- Affectionate but not too excited
- Polite and well-behaved
- Sensitive to noise and new things
Greyhounds love soft beds and couches. They sleep a lot. They do not bark much. They are happy to relax all day.
Are Greyhounds Friendly?
Greyhounds are very friendly with their family. They may be shy with strangers at first. Once they trust you, they show love by:
- Leaning against you
- Putting their head in your lap
- Following you around the house
- Sitting close to you
Do Greyhounds Bark a Lot?
No. Greyhounds are quiet dogs. They rarely bark unless something is wrong.
Are Greyhounds Aggressive?
No. Greyhounds are not aggressive dogs. They are gentle and peaceful. They are not good guard dogs because they are too friendly.
Are Greyhounds Good with Cats and Small Pets?
This is important: Greyhounds have a strong prey drive. This means they may want to chase cats, rabbits, and other small animals.
Some Greyhounds can live with cats. Others cannot. If you have cats, you need to test the Greyhound first. Many rescue groups do “cat testing” before adoption.
How Fast Can a Greyhound Run? Speed and Exercise Needs
Greyhound Top Speed
Greyhounds are the fastest dogs in the world. They can run up to 45 miles per hour.
Are Greyhounds High Energy Dogs?
No! This surprises many people.
Greyhounds are sprinters, not marathon runners. They run very fast for short times, then they rest. People call them “45-mile-per-hour couch potatoes” because they love to sleep after running.
How Much Exercise Does a Greyhound Need?
Greyhounds need:
- Two or three short walks every day
- 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily
- A safe place to run sometimes
- No need for constant activity
After exercise, Greyhounds are happy to sleep for hours. They are perfect for people who want a calm dog.
Living with a Greyhound: What to Expect Daily
Are Greyhounds Good Apartment Dogs?
Yes! Greyhounds are excellent apartment dogs because they are:
- Quiet and calm
- Not too active indoors
- Clean and do not smell bad
- Happy in small spaces
Are Greyhounds Good for First-Time Dog Owners?
Yes. Greyhounds are great for people who never had a dog before. They are:
- Easy to train
- Well-behaved
- Not aggressive
- Happy to follow routines
Do Greyhounds Get Cold Easily?
Yes. This is very important.
Greyhounds have thin skin and very little body fat. They get cold very easily. In winter, they need:
- Dog sweaters or coats
- Warm beds with blankets
- A warm place to sleep indoors
You will often see Greyhounds wearing clothes, and they love it!
Can Greyhounds Be Left Alone?
Greyhounds can be left alone for a few hours, but they prefer to be with their family. They may get separation anxiety if left alone too long.
Are Greyhounds Good with Kids?
Greyhounds are gentle with children, but you should watch them together. Greyhounds are big dogs and may accidentally knock over small children.
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Greyhound Grooming: How to Care for Their Coat
Are Greyhounds Easy to Groom?
Yes! Greyhounds are one of the easiest dogs to groom.
Do Greyhounds Shed?
Very little. Greyhounds have short hair and shed much less than most dogs.
Greyhound Grooming Needs
- Brush once a week with a soft brush
- Give baths only when needed (a few times a year)
- Trim nails every few weeks
- Brush teeth regularly
- Check skin for cuts and scrapes
Because Greyhounds have thin skin, they can get scratched easily. Check their skin often.
What Do Greyhounds Eat? Feeding and Diet Guide
How Much Should a Greyhound Eat?
Feed your Greyhound:
- Two meals per day
- High-quality dog food
- About 2.5 to 4 cups of food daily (depends on size and activity)
Best Food for Greyhounds
Choose dog food that is:
- High in protein
- Good quality
- Made for large dogs
- Easy to digest
Greyhound Bloat Warning
Important: They can get bloat (a dangerous stomach problem). To prevent bloat:
- Feed two small meals instead of one big meal
- Do not let them run right after eating
- Use a slow-feeding bowl
- Keep them calm during mealtime
Greyhound Health Problems: What to Know
Are Greyhounds Healthy Dogs?
Greyhounds are generally healthy, but they can have some health problems.
Common Greyhound Health Issues
1. Bloat (Gastric Torsion)
- Stomach twists and fills with gas
- Very dangerous
- Needs emergency vet care
2. Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer)
- Cancer in the bones
- More common in large dogs
- Watch for limping or pain
3. Heart Problems
- Some Greyhounds have heart murmurs
- Regular vet checks are important
4. Leg and Foot Injuries
- Thin skin can tear easily
- May hurt toes or pads
- Be careful on rough ground
5. Anesthesia Sensitivity
- Greyhounds react differently to anesthesia
- Your vet must know about this
- Use a vet who knows Greyhounds
How Long Do Greyhounds Live?
Greyhounds usually live 10 to 13 years.
Do Greyhounds Need Special Vet Care?
Yes. Always use a veterinarian who knows about Greyhounds. They metabolize drugs differently because of their low body fat.
Greyhound Adoption and Rescue: Saving Retired Racing Dogs
Should I Adopt a Retired Racing Greyhound?
Yes! Adopting a retired racing Greyhound is wonderful.
Thousands of Greyhounds retire from racing every year. These dogs need homes. Adoption groups train them to live in houses and find them families.
Benefits of Adopting a Greyhound
- Save a dog’s life
- Get an adult dog who is already calm
- Many are already trained
- Lower cost than buying a puppy
- Support animal welfare
What is a Retired Racing Greyhound Like?
Retired racers:
- Are usually 2 to 5 years old
- May not know about stairs, glass doors, or TVs at first
- Learn house rules quickly
- Are grateful and loving
- Adjust to home life within weeks
Where to Adopt a Greyhound
Search for:
- “Greyhound rescue near me”
- “Retired racing Greyhound adoption”
- Local animal shelters
- Greyhound adoption organizations
Greyhound Training: Are They Easy to Train?
Are Greyhounds Smart?
Yes. Greyhounds are intelligent dogs. They learn quickly.
Are Greyhounds Easy to Train?
Yes and no.
Greyhounds are:
- Easy to train for basic commands
- Eager to please their owners
- Sensitive to harsh training
- Stubborn sometimes
Use positive training methods. Give treats and praise. Never yell at a Greyhound.
Can Greyhounds Be Trained Off-Leash?
No. Never let a Greyhound off-leash in an unsafe area. Their prey drive is too strong. If they see something to chase, they will run and may not come back.
Always use a leash on walks. Only let them run free in a fenced area.
Are Greyhounds Easy to Housebreak?
Most retired racing Greyhounds need house training because they lived in kennels. With patience, they learn quickly. Use:
- Regular bathroom schedule
- Positive reinforcement
- Crate training if needed
Greyhound vs Other Dog Breeds: Comparisons
Greyhound vs Whippet
- Greyhound: Bigger (60-70 lbs), calmer
- Whippet: Smaller (25-40 lbs), more playful
Greyhound vs Italian Greyhound
- Greyhound: Large, calm, needs space
- Italian Greyhound: Tiny (7-14 lbs), more delicate, better for small homes
Greyhound vs Saluki
- Both are sight hounds and fast
- Greyhounds are calmer
- Salukis have longer hair and are more independent
How Much Does a Greyhound Cost?
Greyhound Puppy Price
- From a breeder: $1,000 to $2,500
- Adoption fee: $200 to $500
Yearly Cost of Owning a Greyhound
- Food: $500 to $800
- Vet care: $500 to $1,000
- Supplies (beds, coats, toys): $200 to $400
- Total per year: About $1,200 to $2,200
Is a Greyhound Right for You? Questions to Ask
A Greyhound might be perfect if you:
- Want a calm, gentle, large dog
- Enjoy walking but not intense exercise
- Live in an apartment or quiet home
- Want a dog that doesn’t shed much
- Are okay with a dog that gets cold easily
- Can keep them on a leash outdoors
- Are willing to adopt a retired racer
A Greyhound might not be right if you:
- Want a dog that can go off-leash
- Have small pets they might chase
- Want a guard dog
- Cannot provide a warm place to sleep
- Want a high-energy playful dog
Frequently Asked Questions About Greyhounds
Are Greyhounds good family dogs?
Yes. Greyhounds are gentle and loving with families. Watch them with very small children because they are large.
Do Greyhounds need a lot of exercise?
No. They need daily walks and occasional sprints, but not constant activity.
Can Greyhounds live in apartments?
Yes! They are perfect apartment dogs because they are quiet and calm.
Do Greyhounds shed a lot?
No. They shed very little.
Are Greyhounds good with cats?
Some yes, some no. Ask rescue groups to test them with cats first.
Why are Greyhounds called couch potatoes?
Because they love to sleep and relax on couches after short bursts of running.
Do Greyhounds smell bad?
No. Greyhounds are clean dogs with no strong dog smell.
Can Greyhounds swim?
Some can learn, but many are not good swimmers because they have low body fat.
Are Greyhounds hypoallergenic?
No, but they shed less than many other dogs.
Do Greyhounds drool?
No. Greyhounds are not drooly dogs.
Are Greyhounds expensive to own?
They are about average cost. The main expenses are food, vet care, and winter coats.
What is the best thing about owning a Greyhound?
Their calm, gentle, loving personality. They are peaceful companions.
Final Thoughts: The Gentle Giant Dog
Greyhounds are not what most of us think.
Yes, they are fast. Yes, they move at 45 miles per hour. But the reality is this: Greyhounds are gentle, loving dogs who seek comfort and companionship.
They don’t need much. But they give you everything.
If you are seeking a loyal, quiet friend that will share your life and your couch with understated love, a Greyhound could be good for you.
You might want to consider one of the retired racer Greyhounds. You’ll save a life and you will have a forever friend.
