Greyhound — breed guide
The 70 km/h sofa ornament. Retired racers make famously calm, gentle apartment dogs — bring a winter coat.
At a glance
- Group
- hound
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 27–40 kg (60–88 lb)
- Life span
- 10–13 years
- Coat
- Short, fine coat
Living with a Greyhound
- Low energy — happy with gentle daily exercise.
- Almost no grooming.
- Light shedding.
- Trainable with consistency.
- Very quiet.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
- A reasonable choice for a first-time owner.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Needs a coat in the cold.
Temperament
Gentle · Independent · Noble · Sweet
Health to watch
- Bloat (GDV)
- Osteosarcoma
- Anesthesia sensitivity
- Dental disease
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Did you know
The fastest dog on Earth (72 km/h) is also a legendary couch potato that sleeps up to 18 hours a day.
Questions people ask
Is a Greyhound good with kids?
Generally yes. Greyhounds are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Greyhound good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a Greyhound need?
A gentle daily walk.
Can a Greyhound handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Greyhound's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.