Greyhound: temperament, size, care and health

About the Greyhound

The Greyhound is a tall, graceful sighthound with a long neck, a narrow head, a deep chest and a tucked waist. The tail is long and curves low. It stands about twenty-seven to thirty inches tall and weighs less than its height suggests. The short coat comes in many colors, including brindle, fawn, black, white and red, in solids or patches.

The Greyhound is the fastest breed over a short distance, reaching speeds in the neighborhood of forty miles an hour and more, and it has been used for coursing hare and for racing. The popular image of a nervous racer is misleading in the home: most Greyhounds are calm, sleep many hours a day and are happy on a couch. Many pets are retired racing dogs adopted through rescue groups.

Temperament and family life

A Greyhound is typically gentle, quiet and affectionate with its family, if sometimes reserved with strangers. It seldom barks and rarely shows aggression. It is sensitive and responds poorly to harsh voices, and it likes a routine. Many Greyhounds lean against their people and follow them from room to room.

The breed is usually good with older children who understand how to be calm around a dog, but its thin skin and long limbs make it fragile, and it may be startled by noise. Most are fine with other dogs. The chase instinct is real: a small animal that runs will trigger it. Some Greyhounds are cat-safe and some are not, and ex-racers are often tested with cats before adoption. A dog that has lived only in kennels may need time to learn about stairs, glass doors and house routines.

Exercise and training

Greyhounds need less exercise than their reputation suggests. A walk or two every day and an occasional run in a securely fenced area are enough for most adults. They sprint hard and then rest. They should never be let off leash in an unfenced area, since they can reach high speed in seconds and may not stop. Retired racers should be fitted with a martingale-style collar, because the head is narrower than the neck and a standard collar can slip off.

Training is straightforward if it is gentle and consistent. Greyhounds learn well with praise and food and wilt under pressure. Because they are built to sit awkwardly, they are often taught to lie down instead. House training of ex-racers is usually quick once the routine is clear.

Grooming and shedding

The coat is among the easiest to care for. A weekly rub with a rubber mitt or soft brush is enough, and baths are rarely needed. Shedding is light. The skin is thin and tears easily, and the dog needs padded bedding to protect its bony points from sores.

Because the coat is thin and body fat is low, the dog feels the cold and needs a coat in winter and a warm bed. Dental care is especially important, since Greyhounds are prone to tartar and gum disease. Nails should be kept short.

Health

Greyhounds are generally robust. Notable concerns include bloat, osteosarcoma (bone cancer), dental disease and corns on the pads. They have low body fat and high muscle mass, and they can respond differently from other dogs to certain anesthetics, so veterinarians who know sighthounds are valuable. Retired racers may carry tick-borne infections, which a vet can test for. Their blood values also differ from those of other breeds. These notes on the Greyhound are general, so a veterinarian should be consulted about the health of a specific dog.

History

Greyhound-type dogs appear in art and writing from ancient times, and the breed is generally traced to the Middle East and Europe, with a long history in Britain as a hunting dog. Coursing and later track racing gave the breed a modern role. Greyhound racing flourished in the twentieth century, and adoption programs for retired dogs have grown since.

Is the Greyhound right for you?

A Greyhound suits a calm household that wants a quiet, clean indoor companion and can provide a secure place for sprinting. It may be a fit for first-time owners who are willing to learn the breed's quirks. It is not suited to a home with unfenced yards, small pets that cannot be separated, or very rough children.

For a smaller version, look at the Whippet, and for an even smaller one the Italian Greyhound. The Scottish Deerhound is a shaggier and bigger alternative.