Part of the hunting hound category, it’s no surprise that Greyhounds love nothing more than the thrill of the chase! However, despite their need for speed, which is surpassed only by the cheetah, Greyhounds will happily snooze at home for hours.
Facts & advice
Greyhound
A noble companion who is faithful, friendly and fast on its feet!
Vital stats
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| Size: | Large |
| Coat: | Short, glossy and easy to maintain. It needs grooming once a week and polishing with a hound glove for extra shine. |
| Exercise | 1 hour daily for adult dogs. Greyhounds exert their energy in short spurts, so two 30-minute walks a day are recommended. |
| Life span: | 8-10 years |
| Breed group: | Hound |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, even-tempered, gentle |
Greyhound temperament & personality
Friendly and non-aggressive, Greyhounds have a wonderful temperament but their sensitive side makes them best suited to quieter, calmer homes. More independent than other breeds, Greyhounds are happy to be left alone sometimes.
- As they are bred to chase, Greyhounds are not well suited to homes with cats or other small pets that they will see as “prey”.
- Greyhounds do have a tendency to be wary of strangers and can become shy and timid if not well socialised.
- Despite their speed and slender stature, Greyhounds are some of the biggest couch potatoes of the dog world, as their sprinter traits mean they are happy with short bursts of activity rather than long walks.
Greyhound training & exercise
Due to their high intelligence and easy-going nature, Greyhounds tend to be easy to train but since they tend to be sensitive, positive reinforcement works best.
Training tips
- Training can tire out your Greyhound, so keep sessions short – about five to ten minutes at a time.
- Greyhounds always love a food reward and this is a great way to hold their attention.
- Due to their sinewy bodies, Greyhounds struggle to “sit” so teaching them the “stay” or “lie down” command may be more effective and comfortable for your dog.
- Because of their extremely high prey drive, it’s best to keep your Greyhound on the lead at all times when out on walks, unless you are in a secure area with no chance of other animals to chase.
Exercise
- As sprinters, Greyhounds prefer to use their energy in bursts so two shorter, active walks per day is the ideal.
- Without daily exercise, Greyhounds can be prone to destructive behaviour such as scratching and chewing.
Keeping them happy
- Bred as sprinters, rather than distance runners, Greyhounds are happy in smaller gardens and homes, as long as they receive adequate daily walks.
- With their cat-like demeanour, Greyhounds are independent and content to snooze for most of the day.
- Whilst they are very gentle, Greyhounds can struggle if there is too much going on, so do best in quieter homes with older children.
Game ideas
- Try a game of “Tag”. Whilst your Greyhound will almost certainly outrun you, they will love the interaction and playing chase. It’s also a great way for you both to keep fit! Just make sure to play in a securely fenced location to keep your pooch safe.
Common Greyhound health conditions
Like all breeds, Greyhounds are prone to certain conditions, and choosing a reputable breeder or rehoming organisation should be the first step to having a happy and healthy dog. To help you be more aware and prepared for the most common health issues, if they should arise, we have put together some information on the health issues that we see the most in Greyhounds.
Gum disease occurs when some (or all) of a tooth’s deep supporting structures become inflamed. This begins when food, bacteria and minerals accumulate along the gum line, leading to the build-up of a brown scale known as tartar. When this undermines the gum the condition is called gingivitis. Eventually, small spaces can form between the gums and the teeth creating pockets of space for bacteria to grow, resulting in what is known as periodontal disease. The bacteria from infected gums can spread around the body and damage the liver and kidneys. This condition can be prevented by brushing the teeth and ensuring dental descales, helping the dog to lead a normal, pain-free life.
Greyhounds are more prone to issues and pain with their spine and neck than other dogs. We see a mixture of issues ranging from back pain to slipped discs also known as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). This occurs when the discs between the vertebrae (backbones) become damaged and brittle with age or general wear and tear. This makes the discs prone to rupturing, moving (‘slipping’) and pressing against the spinal cord itself. Treatment depends on the cause and location of the problem but may include medication, rest and possibly even surgery to help the dog live a comfortable life.
Greyhounds can suffer from arthritis, which means ‘inflammation of the joints’. There are many different types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and immune mediated arthritis. The most common form in dogs is osteoarthritis, which is also known as ‘degenerative joint disease’. This type always involves an underlying issue (wear and tear, for example) or a specific condition (such as cruciate rupture or hip dysplasia, which are common in many larger breeds and can occur in young dogs). Arthritis is an irreversible condition but can be successfully managed to help the dog enjoy a good quality of life.
Corns are hard bumps that form inside the foot pads. In dogs, they almost always occur in the breeds known as the ‘sight hounds’, a group which includes Greyhounds. At first, a tiny dot appears that eventually gets bigger until a corn breaks through the pad. Corns can grow quite large if left unchecked and feel the same as having a pebble in your shoe. Treatment varies depending on the site and painfulness of the corn, but the dog can usually continue to live an active life.
All dogs can suffer from osteosarcoma, a bone tumour. It’s mostly found in middle-aged or elderly dogs, but can affect a dog of any age, with larger breeds like Greyhounds tending to develop tumours when they are younger. While any bone can be affected, most cases occur in the leg bones. Unfortunately, while surgery and chemotherapy may extend the life of a dog with osteosarcoma, they won’t actually cure the condition.
Greyhound grooming
A Greyhound’s coat is short, sleek and easy to care for but they can be prone to shedding.
- Despite their name, Greyhounds can come in a variety of colours, including fawn, black, red, blue, grey, white, parti-colour or brindle, a striped pattern.
- Greyhounds have very little “doggy smell” compared to other breeds and don’t need to be bathed very often.
- As a breed, Greyhounds can be prone to dental problems so grooming should include regular teeth brushing and dental checks with the vet.
- Whilst their coat is low maintenance, Greyhounds are high shedders. Daily brushing can help remove any loose hair, whilst massaging with a “hound glove” gives their coat extra shine.
Greyhound nutrition
- Since Greyhounds expend their energy in short, sharp bursts, it is best to feed them twice a day.
- Greyhounds can be prone to tummy troubles so it’s important to keep an eye on their diet and ask your vet for advice on feeding.
- Greyhounds are sleek and slim by nature. Make sure you can see a waist and two or three pairs of ribs.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Greyhound
Considering welcoming a Greyhound into your home? Before you buy or adopt one, here are a few important things to remember.
- There are plenty of retired racing and rescue Greyhounds in need of loving forever homes, where they can rest and relax. Petplan are proud to partner with the Greyhound Trust to help rescue Greyhounds find homes.
- Greyhounds’ gentle nature mean they are great family pets, but their sensitivity means that a very busy home might be too much for them to handle.
- Training a Greyhound can be challenging due to their independent nature, but they respond well to edible incentives!
- As pack animals, Greyhounds get on well with other dogs, but owners of cats and small animals should beware – Greyhounds will chase smaller pets.
- Retired racing Greyhounds are usually well-socialised with people and other Greyhounds, but tend to be wary of other dog breeds.
- Choose a licensed and reputable Greyhound breeder if you’re buying a puppy. ‘Lucy’s Law’ dictates that new puppies or kittens must be bought directly from a breeder or adopted from rescue. Third party sellers are illegal.
- Like all dogs, Greyhounds can suffer from a range of health conditions so always look carefully at the veterinary cover provided when shopping around for pet insurance as not all policies are the same.
Greyhound frequently asked questions
Greyhounds shed moderately all year round, with heavier sheds during the spring and autumn months. There’s nothing you can do to prevent shedding but regular brushing will help to remove any loose hairs.
Greyhounds can sit, but due to their distinctive shape and muscular back legs, most find this position uncomfortable. Usually you’ll find your Greyhound will be more comfortable standing up or lying down.
Greyhounds are known to be very gentle dogs making them ideal companions for children. They tend to be very tolerant and will allow children to handle them, but some dogs may find boisterous play too much. As with all dog breeds, make sure you supervise any time your Greyhound spends with children to ensure everyone stays safe and happy.
Greyhounds are widely regarded as the world’s fastest dog breed. Racing Greyhounds can reach speeds of 45 mph. As sight hounds, Greyhounds are prone to give chase to perceived prey and are often single-minded in their pursuit. For this reason, it’s vital that you spend extra time on recall training with your Greyhound and only let them off the lead in safe, secure areas. As sight hounds, Greyhounds will instinctively chase smaller animals, including other dogs, so bear this in mind if you’re considering a Greyhound alongside other pets.
Whilst they love attention from their owners, Greyhounds tend to be more independent than some other dog breeds. This breed is less prone to separation anxiety and makes an ideal pet if you’re likely to be out and about a little more. However, your Greyhound will love spending time with you and you should make sure they’re not alone for more than a few hours at a time.
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Greyhound insurance considerations
Most Greyhounds live long and happy lives, but they can suffer from specific health problems. That’s why it’s important that when choosing dog insurance, you consider the length of time policies cover different conditions. Petplan’s Covered For Life® plans refresh the veterinary fees each year allowing you to claim for ongoing conditions for the rest of your pet’s life providing there is no break in cover.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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