Greyhound
About the Greyhound
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 27-30" |
| Weight | 60-70 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
45 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$4,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,300/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Greyhounds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
Guides for your Greyhound
The story behind the Greyhound
Smooth-coated running hounds appear in ancient art from Egypt and the Near East, and these images are often linked to the modern breed, though the connection is traditional rather than demonstrated and today's Greyhound was shaped much later. Coursing hounds are recorded in Britain from the medieval period, protected by forest laws and associated with the nobility, and were used to pursue hare and deer by sight across open country. Organised coursing clubs in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries formalised breeding and record-keeping, with the stud book in Britain among the earliest for any breed. Track racing developed in the twentieth century and shaped a large, separately bred racing population alongside show lines. Racing has since declined or been banned in several jurisdictions, and rehoming of retired dogs now supplies most pet Greyhounds.
Originally bred for: Coursing hound, Sight hunting of hare and deer, Racing. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Greyhound
Lean by nature, these dogs should keep visible hip bones and a hint of spine, which alarms newcomers but is correct. Feed a complete diet in two moderate meals, raise intake if a dog looks bony rather than lean, and let it rest after eating.
Watch for: No ingredient intolerance is established for the breed. Retired racers frequently arrive on kennel diets and need slow transitions, and loose stools during resettlement are usually stress rather than food. Have a vet advise on the changeover and on any lasting digestive issue.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Greyhound
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.