Greyhound
A tall, quiet sprinter that loves a short burst of speed and then spends most of the day asleep on the sofa.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 71–76 cm · Females 68–71 cm
- Weight
- Males 29–40 kg · Females 27–34 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–14 years
- Exercise
- 45–75 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Black, White, Fawn, Red, Blue, Brindle
- Bred for
- Hunting by sight, Companionship
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 10, no. 158 · Sighthounds
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 2/5 – Low |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 1/5 – Very low |
| Barking | 1/5 – Very low |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 4/5 – High |
| Suits apartment living | 4/5 – High |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 1/5 – Very low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a calm, quiet large dog indoors
- are interested in adopting a retired racer
- can offer a soft bed and a warm home
Think twice if you …
- have small pets that might trigger a chase
- want a dog for off-lead walks in open country
- are looking for an eager obedience partner
Care
Temperament
Gentle, quiet and affectionate with its own people, the Greyhound is usually polite with visitors rather than effusive. It is sensitive to harsh handling and does best in a calm household.
Exercise
Daily on-lead walks plus a few chances a week to sprint in a securely fenced area suit most Greyhounds. Lure coursing is a good outlet; recall around wildlife is rarely reliable.
Grooming
The fine coat sheds lightly and needs little more than a weekly wipe with a rubber mitt. Teeth benefit from regular brushing.
Training
Greyhounds learn household routines readily but are not driven to obey for its own sake. Gentle, patient, reward-based training works best.
Health
Greyhounds are generally robust but can be sensitive to some anaesthetics, and bone cancer, dental disease and corns on the pads are seen in the breed. Ask the breeder about heart checks and health results in the parents.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Heart
DNA tests
- Greyhound polyneuropathy (NDRG1)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
Smooth-coated sighthounds of this shape have been kept in Britain for many centuries, first for coursing hares and later for track racing. The Greyhound we know today was refined in Britain, and racing and show lines have drifted apart somewhat over the last hundred years.
At home the breed surprises many people. Despite its reputation for speed, it is calm, gentle and often lazy indoors, happy with a soft bed and a few good walks. Many families adopt retired racers. The thin coat and low body fat make it sensitive to cold and to hard floors, and its chase instinct means safe, fenced areas for running.
Did you know?
Greyhounds can reach around 70 km/h, making them among the fastest dogs over a short sprint.