Greyhound

Greyhounds can be wonderful family dogs. Despite their size, they’re quite sensitive in nature (medium to large dogs are generally known to be more confident). This means they’re happiest in homes with understanding, dog-savvy children who know how to interact with them gently. Like all dogs, it’s important to actively supervise Greyhounds around children to prevent any accidents or inappropriate interactions. 

They’re typically lazy, low-energy dogs who aren’t rough or boisterous. This makes them better suited to calmer households. But they still absolutely love a game of chase. Just make sure you get out of their way when they run past or towards you. Sometimes, they can get carried away and there’s an unwanted collision!  

Their natural prey drive means they’re not completely trustworthy around small pets like rabbits or guinea pigs – even if introduced to them as puppies. But they’re usually very social with other dogs, especially other Sighthounds who look and act similarly to them.

Absolutely! Greyhounds are known for their sweet and gentle nature. They love snuggling up with their humans, and they can be quite clingy (in a charming way). Don’t be surprised if your Greyhound becomes your shadow. They adore their humans (but won’t smother you). This means they can struggle when left alone and prefer to have company for most of the day. 

They have their moments! A Greyhound’s playfulness comes out in brief bursts known as ‘zoomies’. These are short, exciting, and often very silly bursts of play which involve frantically running around and bouncing off furniture (if they’re at home). So, expect to see your living room or garden turned into a racetrack and obstacle course for a couple of minutes a day! This is classic Greyhound behaviour – they’re more sprinters than endurance athletes. 

Whilst greyhounds love running and chasing off-lead in a secure area, they won’t demand endless games of fetch. They like playing tag or using toys like a flirt pole (like a cat ‘teaser’ toy) to burn off energy. Once they’ve had their fun, they’ll be right back to snoozing! 

Not really! Greyhounds are usually very quiet dogs. They’re more likely to grumble or whine than bark, which is great if you’re after a calm companion. Whilst they might give an occasional bark when they’re startled or want to alert you to something, they’re not yappy or overly vocal. 

Greyhounds have a strong prey drive (hunting instinct). So, it’s recommended to keep them on-lead unless they’re in a fully secure area. It’s very challenging to teach Greyhounds to come back when they catch sight of something fun to chase. They’ll naturally follow their instinct and struggle to listen to you. Seek out an enclosed dog field with fencing that’s at least six foot tall, and they won’t be able to go too far!  

Some ex-racing dogs may not have lived in a home before. This means they’ll probably be wary of stairs, need extra help with their housetraining, or find everyday things a bit scary.  

Greyhounds can struggle being home alone, especially if they don’t have another dog friend around. It’s best for them to have someone home for much of the day because of their strong bonds with people. 

Without proper training, socialisation, exercise, and mental stimulation, any dog can develop behavioural issues. Reward-based training is the kindest and most effective approach for any breed – and not harsh training methods which can lead to fearfulness. 

Greyhounds live most happily in a calm, loving home with access to a secure garden for short sprints. They’ll be comfortable in a flat or house as long as they get their exercise needs met. A comfy bed (or sofa) is non-negotiable – Greyhounds are experts in comfort! 

Homes without small furry pets are ideal, but other Sighthound breeds can be a great source of companionship for them. Some Greyhounds – especially ex-racing dogs – don’t get on as well with non-Sighthound breeds. So, if you’re considering getting a Greyhound, remember they usually click best with breeds more like them. 

Despite their athletic build and history as hunting and racing dogs, Greyhounds only need about 30–60 minutes of calm exercise each day. As they’re bred to run at speeds of over 40mph, this should ideally include a chance to sprint in a secure area. Once back home, these dogs become couch potatoes and will seek out warm sun-patches around your house. 

Like most humans, this breed hates cold and wet weather, so don't be surprised if they refuse to go for walks in the rain! We recommend investing in a waterproof, cosy coat for the colder months. 

Whilst Greyhounds don’t need long walks, they do need regular mental stimulation to keep boredom at bay. This means feeding them in fun and interesting ways like using destruction boxes. Also, providing opportunities to chase and pounce on toys – like using a flirt pole (similar to a cat teaser toy). 

Because of their deep chests, Greyhounds are prone to bloat. This is a serious and potentially life-threatening health condition where their stomach twists and fills with air. The risk of bloat can be reduced by avoiding high-intensity exercise within an hour of meals. 

Greyhounds are moderately easy to train because of their gentle and easy-going nature. But, as they’re Sighthounds, they find learning certain skills like ‘sit’ and ‘recall’ very difficult. They benefit from shorter, more regular training sessions so they don’t get bored. For success, you’ll need patience and tasty treats, or even a toy to chase as a reward. 

All dogs need reward-based training and socialisation to learn basic behaviours, which is essential for learning how to interact with other dogs, animals, and people. Otherwise, they can develop anxiety or rude behaviour in certain situations. This can make them hard to manage and require extra time and training to change when they’re older. As dogs mature, they go through several life stages that can change their behaviour, which means you may need to focus on different aspects of training. We can help you with this through our free behaviour helpline. 

Common behavioural issues to watch out for: 
Chasing small animals due to their prey drive 
Difficulty with recall when off-lead  
Separation anxiety 
Stopping on walks 
Fearfulness in new environments 

Greyhounds have short, low-maintenance coats that need brushing just once a week to remove loose hair. Whilst they’re moderate shedders, regular brushing will keep them in tip-top condition and reduce further shedding. Because of their thin skin, very short hair, and lack of undercoat in their fur, they need to wear a coat or jumper in cold or wet weather. 

Regular baths, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care are also important for a Greyhound’s overall wellbeing. This can be done at home if you train your companion to enjoy grooming from the start. 

Greyhounds are generally healthy dogs, but they are prone to a few issues. For example, they can have sensitive stomachs and are naturally thinner than other dog breeds. Unfortunately, many are also picky eaters, which can affect their health too. They also have very thin skin and light builds, which can leave them at higher risk of cuts and injuries. 

Common health conditions in Greyhounds include: 
Dental disease: their teeth need regular cleaning because of plaque build-up.  
Back, spine, and neck issues: these can develop as Greyhounds age, including back pain and slipped discs. 
Bloat: a life-threatening condition needing immediate attention. 
Arthritis: common in older Greyhounds, especially ex-racers, where joints become inflamed and painful. 
Corns: almost only ever found in Sighthounds – corns on their paw pads can cause discomfort. 
Bone cancer: larger breeds can develop tumours at a younger age. 

You can help keep your dog in tip-top shape with regular health checks, a good diet and exercise.