Greyhound

Personality

Greyhounds are famously gentle, quiet and a little aloof. At home they are calm, dignified and affectionate, often described as couch potatoes who sleep through much of the day. They bond closely with their people and enjoy comfy beds and warm spots.

Most are sensitive and a bit shy at first, particularly retired racers learning about house life, stairs and glass doors. Once settled, they tend to be sweet with children who are gentle and good with other dogs, especially other Greyhounds.

Their prey drive is strong. A Greyhound will chase anything that moves fast, from squirrels to cats, and may do so before you can react. Some live peacefully with cats after careful testing, while others cannot. They are poor guard dogs, since most welcome visitors with a polite lean.

History

Greyhound-type dogs are among the oldest known breeds, with hunting dogs of this type appearing in art from ancient Egypt and Greece. Over centuries they were prized for hunting by sight and became associated with nobility. Forest laws such as those of 1014 limited Greyhound ownership in royal forests to the nobility, and the AKC notes that these hounds have fascinated artists, poets and kings for thousands of years.

Racing with a mechanical lure began in 1926 and selected for short bursts of speed. Racing became a major industry in several countries, and as it declined, adoption groups began placing retired racers in homes. VCA notes that most pet Greyhounds today are retired racing dogs, so many people now know the breed as a gentle pet.

The Greyhound's athletic design is largely unchanged from its ancient ancestors, and the breed is often described as the sprinter of the dog world. The AKC places it in the Hound Group.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Greyhound is built for speed, with a deep chest, tucked-up waist, long legs, arched back and a long, narrow head. The neck is long and muscular, the ears small and folded back, and the tail long and low with a slight curve at the end.

The AKC standard gives weights of 65 to 70 lb for dogs and 60 to 65 lb for bitches (27–32 kg overall). PetMD describes the breed as standing between 27 and 30 in (69–76 cm) tall, with males generally taller than females.

The coat is short and smooth, and the thin coat and low body fat mean Greyhounds feel the cold. Colors include fawn, black, red, blue, white and brindle, with or without white markings. When running at full gallop, a Greyhound is a spectacle, which is why even a short fenced run is a joy to watch.

Training

Greyhounds are intelligent but independent, and they can be selective listeners. They respond best to gentle, positive training with food rewards and short sessions. Harsh methods can make these sensitive dogs shut down or avoid you.

Retired racers often arrive knowing little about life in a house. Teach them stairs, slippery floors, glass doors and household routines slowly, and expect to housetrain as you would a puppy, often with surprising speed. Crate training can be helpful; see our crate training guide.

Recall is the hard part. Because the chase instinct can override training, Greyhounds should only be off leash in securely fenced areas. Teach a solid leash manner, using a harness or a martingale collar, since the narrow head can slip out of a regular collar. Many Greyhounds find a formal sit awkward because of their body shape, so a down or a relaxed stand is a fair alternative.

Exercise

Despite the speed, Greyhounds are sprinters, not marathoners. VCA describes their needs as a moderate daily walk or jog, or a sprint in an enclosed area. Around 30 to 60 minutes of activity per day suits most adults, depending on age and fitness. Our guide on how much exercise a dog needs covers the principles.

Free running must be in a fully fenced area with a tall, secure fence. Never trust a Greyhound off leash in open spaces, no matter how good the recall, because a fast chase can end in traffic or lost dogs.

Protect them in extreme weather. The thin coat and low body fat mean they need a coat in the cold, and they can overheat in hot weather. Lure coursing and straight-line sprinting are great outlets, and many Greyhounds also enjoy gentle hikes on leash. Games and tricks provide mental exercise. After exercise, they typically nap for hours.

Grooming

Grooming is minimal. A weekly rub with a rubber mitt or soft brush removes loose hair and distributes natural oils. Shedding is light. Baths are rarely needed, perhaps every couple of months or when the dog is dirty.

The coat is short and thin, so check the skin for scrapes after exercise. Coats and padded beds protect against cold and pressure sores, which can develop on bony areas such as elbows and hips when the dog lies on hard floors.

Dental care matters for every dog, and our guide to brushing your dog's teeth explains how to start. Trim nails regularly; Greyhounds have long, thick nails that can crack or snag. Short, well-kept nails support the structure of the foot.

Feeding

Greyhounds are lean by design. VCA advises that you should be able to feel the ribs without seeing them on a healthy dog, and notes that owners often overfeed the breed. Choose a complete and balanced food that suits their age and activity, and work with your vet to find the right amount. The dog food calculator can offer a starting estimate.

PetMD notes that Greyhounds' deep chests and tucked waists raise the risk of bloat, and recommends feeding two or three smaller meals a day. Avoid hard exercise right before and after eating, and discourage gulping. Call your vet or an emergency clinic right away if your dog has a swollen abdomen, unproductive retching or restlessness.

Our guide on checking if your dog is overweight is also useful. Keep treats to about 10% of daily calories. Provide fresh water at all times.

Health

Greyhounds are generally healthy, with VCA giving a life span of 10 to 13 years. Several quirks are worth knowing. They have different normal blood values than many other breeds, including higher packed cell volumes and lower platelet counts, so ask your vet to use Greyhound-specific reference ranges. They are also sensitive to some anesthetic drugs, which can prolong recovery, and some develop delayed bleeding after surgery, so make sure any vet who treats your dog knows the breed.

Health concerns include bloat and Greyhound polyneuropathy, an inherited nerve disease linked to the NDRG1 gene, with signs that usually begin at three to nine months of age. The Greyhound Club of America recommends a cardiac exam, an eye exam and a DNA test for Greyhound polyneuropathy for breeding dogs.

Annual exams, dental care and a healthy weight are the basics. Call your vet or an emergency clinic right away for a swollen belly, collapse or difficulty breathing.

Health conditions to know about

• Bloat (GDV) — Deep chests and tucked waists raise the risk of a stomach twist that needs emergency care.
• Greyhound polyneuropathy — An inherited nerve disease linked to the NDRG1 gene, with signs usually starting at three to nine months; a DNA test exists.
• Anesthesia sensitivity — Greyhounds metabolize some anesthetic drugs differently, which can prolong recovery.
• Delayed bleeding after surgery — Bleeding can appear a day or more after an operation; tell your vet the breed before any procedure.
• Unusual blood values — Higher packed cell volume and lower platelet counts are normal for the breed, so breed-specific reference ranges help avoid misreading tests.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Cardiac exam
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• Greyhound polyneuropathy DNA test

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Greyhound

Greyhounds make better apartment dogs than many smaller, busier breeds. They are quiet, clean and calm indoors, and they love soft beds. What they need is a safe place for brief sprints, daily walks and owners who will not lose focus on a leash.

Secure fencing is key, as is supervision outdoors. A Greyhound can slip out of a collar or bolt after a squirrel. Cover glass doors with decals until your dog learns about them, and use baby gates for stairs while it adjusts.

Provide warm bedding and a coat in winter and shade and cool water in summer. Many Greyhounds struggle with long periods alone, so a midday visit or companion helps. Cats and small pets should be introduced carefully, ideally with a cat-tested dog from an adoption group.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Most Greyhound owners adopt rather than buy a puppy. Retired racers are widely available through adoption groups, which often assess each dog's temperament, health and compatibility with cats and small pets before placing it. Adoption fees vary widely by group.

Breeders of show or companion Greyhounds exist, though they are less common than racing breeders. If you go this route, look for someone who health-tests parents, welcomes questions and raises puppies underfoot in a home. The Greyhound Club of America, the breed's AKC parent club, is a good place to look. Avoid anyone who sells puppies without health information.

Whichever route you choose, budget for vet care, quality food, coats and a secure fence. Young puppies need plenty of safe socialization, and you can track growth with our puppy weight calculator. An adult is often an easy, rewarding choice.