Polish Greyhound

Hound Group Large (50-100 lbs)
Height 27-32"
Weight 66-95 lbs
Lifespan 10-12 years
Price $1,000-$2,500

About the Polish Greyhound

Known at home as the Chart Polski, this is a substantial sighthound with more bone and more attitude than the racing breeds it superficially resembles. Owners describe a dog that is affectionate and demonstrative inside the family circle and openly reserved, even territorial, toward strangers, which is unusual among coursing hounds and reflects centuries of use as both hunter and estate guard. Early, thorough socialisation is essential rather than optional. Exercise needs are high but concentrated: this breed wants opportunity to gallop over open ground several times a week, plus steady walking in between. Enclosed running space matters because prey drive is powerful and recall around moving animals is unreliable. Cats, small dogs and poultry are risky company. Training works best when it feels collaborative. These are confident, self-directed dogs that learn quickly but see little point in repetition, so short sessions with meaningful rewards beat drilling, and heavy correction damages the relationship. Same-sex conflict with other dogs is worth planning around. The coat is short and harsh with a slight ruff, needing only weekly attention, though thin-skinned dogs benefit from a winter coat and soft bedding for pressure points. Barking is limited but purposeful, with a genuine watchdog response to intruders. Left alone in a settled routine most cope adequately. The right household is rural or semi-rural, experienced with independent breeds, and has real space. What distinguishes them is the combination of coursing speed with a guarding temperament rarely found together.

Temperament

Affectionate Highly Intelligent Energetic Independent Quiet
Affection Level
Good with Children
Good with Other Dogs
Playfulness
Protectiveness
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Intelligence
Adaptability

Physical Characteristics

Size Category Large (50-100 lbs)
Height 27-32"
Weight 66-95 lbs
Coat Type Smooth
Coat Length Short
Colors
Hypoallergenic No

Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

High (60-90 min/day)

60 minutes per day recommended

Grooming

Moderate - Weekly

Shedding:

Mental Stimulation

Moderate mental stimulation needed

Drooling

Living Conditions

Apartment Friendly
Good for First-Time Owners
Tolerates Being Alone
Cold Weather Tolerance
Hot Weather Tolerance

Cost of Ownership

Purchase Price $1,000-$2,500
Annual Cost $1,400/year

Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.

Health Considerations

Like all breeds, Polish 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

  • Active Owners

May Not Be Ideal For

  • Apartment Living
  • First-Time Owners
  • Sedentary Lifestyles

Guides for your Polish Greyhound

The story behind the Polish Greyhound

Large coursing hounds were used by the Polish nobility for hunting hare, fox and wolf across open plains from at least the sixteenth century, appearing in Polish art and hunting literature of the period. Unlike lighter southern sighthounds, these dogs needed strength and coat to work harsh continental winters and to face larger quarry. The type declined severely through the political upheavals and wars of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and coursing was heavily restricted under the postwar state. Polish breeders reconstructed the breed from the 1970s onward, drawing on surviving rural dogs and historical descriptions, and a standard was drafted and later accepted internationally under the name Chart Polski. Numbers remain modest, concentrated in Poland with small populations elsewhere in Europe and North America, and the breed is kept for lure coursing, showing and companionship rather than active hunting.

Originally bred for: Hare and fox courser, wolf hunter, estate guardian. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Polish Greyhound

This is a big-boned sighthound rather than a whippet writ large, so feed a quality complete diet that supports muscle without adding bulk. Two measured meals a day suit the deep chest, and portions should be adjusted around periods of coursing or heavy running.

Watch for: No breed-specific food intolerance is established. As with other large deep-chested hounds, sudden diet changes and gulping large single meals are best avoided. Seek veterinary advice before removing ingredients if digestive or skin issues persist.

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 Polish 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.

Compare Polish Greyhound with Other Breeds

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