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Greyhound Information & Dog Breed Facts

Collection of all the general dog breed info about Greyhound so you can get to know the breed more.

Group Hunting Dogs
Popularity Rank156
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Greyhound dog profile picture
OriginUnited Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom
Other Names
What other names does the Greyhound have?
English Greyhound
Breed Type
What type of dog breed is it?
Purebred

Greyhound Size and Weight

Size
Is a Greyhound small, medium or large dog?

How big do Greyhound get?

What is the average size of a Greyhound?

Giant
Weight
How much does the Greyhound weigh? How much should a Greyhound weight? What is the normal weight of a Greyhound? How much does a full-grown Greyhound weight?
Male: 65-80 pounds (29-36 kg), Female: 60-70 pounds (27-31 kg)
Average Weight
What is the average weight of a Greyhound?
Male: 72.5 pounds (32.5 kg), Female: 65 pounds (29 kg)
Height
How tall is the Greyhound? Greyhound height:
Male: 28-30 inches (71-76 cm), Female: 27-28 inches (68-71 cm)
Average Height
What is the average height of a Greyhound?
Male: 29 inches (73.5 cm), Female: 27.5 inches (69.5 cm)

Greyhound Price and Availability

Price
How much does the Greyhound puppy cost? What is the price range of this puppy? What is the average price of a Greyhound in the United States? How much money is a Greyhound?

Where to buy a Greyhound with a good pedigree?

$500-$800
If you choose to purchase the Greyhound, you should know that the mentioned amount of money is an average of the collected data from breeders’ sites and puppy finder places. If you have a Greyhound for sale, please advertise it on a reliable website to make sure the Greyhound gets to a happy place.
Availability
How easy is it to get a Greyhound? How many Greyhound are there in the world?
Frequent: The Greyhound is easier than average to get. Maybe there is some risk of overbreeding, as it is a popular breed.

Due to its popularity, inbreeding may occur. A new study shows that inbreeding contributes to the incidence of disease and health problems.

So be careful and seek the help of an experienced person or a professional, in making your decision.

Greyhound Trainability and Intelligence

Intelligent Rank
How smart is the Greyhound? Is the Greyhound breed dumb or smart?
Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. They understand and remember new commands after an average of 25-40 repetitions.

The Greyhound ranks average in the intelligence ranking of dogs.

Trainability
Are Greyhound dogs easy to train? Do they go well on dog training? How hard is it to train a Greyhound?
Greyhound dogs are easy to train. They find out the association between commands and actions quite quickly.
Watchdog Ability
Is Greyhound good as a watchdog? Are they alert at night?
Greyhound dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, they will alert you, but observation isn't considered their main job.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Do Greyhound dogs have aggressive behavior to protect their home/house/territory? Do they have guarding instincts?
Greyhound dogs can't provide protection for their territory. It's better to leave them out of the duty of protecting your valuables and property.

Greyhound Personality and Temperament

Temperament
What kind of personality does the Greyhound have? What characteristics or traits does the breed have?
IntelligentAffectionateGentleOutrightTemperedQuietAthletic
Sensitivity Level
How sensitive are they? Greyhound sensitivity:
Sensitive: Greyhound dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.

This breed's emotional level reflects their owner's feelings and they don't handle punishments well.

Affection Level
How affectionate are they? Is a Greyhound a good family dog?
High: Greyhound dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. They enjoy quality time with their owners despite the activity and are considered great therapy dogs for those in need. This breed responds strongly to their handler's emotions because they bond closely. Their happiness is your happiness.
Social Needs
How much social interaction does the English Greyhound need? Greyhound social needs:
Greyhound dogs need for social interaction is average. This breed likes being around people or other animals, but they don't mind being left alone for a few hours either.
Impulse to Wander or Roam
How likely is the Greyhound to run away? Does this breed explore or wander a lot? Does Greyhound roam?
Greyhound dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. Safer to walk them on a leash unless you teach them how to get back to you on command. This breed is also able to cause damage to your fence.
Prey Drive
Do this canine have a strong prey drive? Does Greyhound have high prey drive?
Greyhound dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. Cats or any other small animals are in danger. It's a natural instinct, doesn't necessarily mean that Greyhound dogs are aggressive. Better to keep this breed on a leash.

Greyhound Activity and Playfulness

Playfulness
How playful is this breed?
Average: Greyhounds, like any other dog breed, like playing. Sometimes they bark in excitement for playing, but they are not the most playful dog breed.
Barking
Do Greyhound dogs bark a lot? Are they barkers/noisy? Why does my English Greyhound bark?
Low: The Greyhound barks none to minimal. Perfect choice if you prefer a quiet breed.

Top reasons for barking: protection, alarm, fear, boredom, attention-seeking, greeting, separation anxiety, compulsive barking.

Apartment Friendly
Is Greyhound good as an apartment dog? Can they live in a flat? Can you have a Greyhound in an apartment?
Very house-friendly dog the Greyhound breed. It's good if you have a small garden where he can go out and do his business, but it's not important at all. You can get enough exercise with one or two walks a day, so keeping them indoors shouldn't be a problem.

Greyhound Adaptability and Independence

Adaptability
Are they adaptable and easy-going?
Greyhound dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. They don't mind moving from one place to another with their owner.
Tolerates Being Left Alone
How long can a Greyhound be left alone? How long can you leave a Greyhound alone?
Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. With proper socialization and quality time with the dog can solve this problem.

Greyhound Bite Characteristics

Bite Force PSI
Does the Greyhound has a hard bite? What is the bite force of a Greyhound? How much bite force does a Greyhound have? How strong is a Greyhound bite?

Above 400 PSI 🔼

Greyhound bite force: The Strongest. The Greyhound bite force is among the strongest in the canine world. The bite force Greyhound measurements are typically quite high, which is a testament to their powerful and large stature. The bite force of Greyhound dogs is impressive, and their Greyhound bite PSI is reflective of their powerful nature.

The Greyhound PSI bite should be respected, and appropriate precautions should be taken when interacting with these dogs. The PSI of a Greyhound bite is high, making them one of the strongest breeds in terms of bite force.

They are very protective of themselves and their families, therefore a dog bite from them could be exceptionally dangerous with their PSI being above 400.

To ensure a well-behaved and controlled dog, it's important to learn how to train a Greyhound puppy not to bite from an early age. It is important that they’re trained to be around others safely.

Biting Potential
Do Greyhound bite humans? How likely are you to get bitten from the English Greyhound? What are the odds of getting bitten by a Greyhound? Why do dog bites happen?

Low 🔽

The Greyhound has a low chance of biting somebody. Top reasons for dog bite: protection, pain, excitement, herding instinct, being provoked. (Data based on the available online bite statistics.)
Mouthiness
How much mouthing/nipping/play biting does the Greyhound do?
Greyhound dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. It's a common habit during puppyhood, not aggressive behavior. These "bites" don't hurt, but Greyhound dogs need to be taught a good attitude.

Greyhound Health and Lifespan

Health Issues
Is it a healthy or unhealthy breed? Do Greyhound dogs have health problems or genetic diseases?
The Greyhound is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Health Problems
What genetic/health problems does the Greyhound breed have? What are the health issues and concerns of the Greyhound breed? Most common health risks of Greyhound:
CataractsHeart Murmurs Hip Dysplasia AllergiesCancerHypothyroidismProgressive retinal atrophy (PRA)BloatOsteoarthritisSensitivity To AnesthesiaOsteosarcomaAlopeciaCold IntolerancePannusMusculoskeletal InjuriesVitreous Degeneration
Veterinarian Visits
How often does the Greyhound breed need to go to the vet? How often should you take your dog to the vet? How often should the Greyhound see the vet?
Average
The Greyhound should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. If your dog shows any symptoms, call your veterinarian.
Life Expectancy
How long do Greyhound dogs live? How old can a Greyhound be? What is the age limit of the Greyhound? How many years can the oldest Greyhound live?

What is the average life expectancy / lifespan of a Greyhound?

How long is the lifespan of a Greyhound?

9-13 years
The average lifespan of Greyhound: 11 years
Weather and Climate
Which weather condition is preferred by this dog? Can they tolerate hot or cold weather and climate?
Prefers average to warm weather conditions
Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. However, in general, most dogs prefer average to warm weather conditions, as they typically find hot weather conditions to be uncomfortable and taxing.

Greyhound Energy and Activity

Energy Level
How much energy does the Greyhound have? What is the activity level of the Greyhound?
Greyhound dogs have a lower energy level than other dogs. If you live a chilled life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
How much exercise does a Greyhound need? How much exercise do Greyhound dogs require per day?

Do Greyhound dogs need a lot of exercises?

Greyhound dogs exercise need is minimal. If you live a slow life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Sleeping Need
How much sleep does the Greyhound breed need?
Greyhound dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot. They're not the most active dog breed. If you live an active life, this breed can be a bad choice for you.

Greyhound Diet and Weight Management

Average daily food consumption
How much food does a Greyhound need? What dog products should I buy? How much food does a Greyhound breed eat per day? What is good dog food for Greyhound? How much food should I feed my Greyhound?
Males: 2.5 to 4 cups; Females: 1.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
How easy to gain weight for this dog? Greyhound risk for obesity:
Average: The Greyhound has an average risk for obesity. Daily walks should be on schedule. To make your dog happy and fit, feed him with quality dry dog food and live an active life together. Try to find the happy medium between exercise and feeding.

If you notice any weight gain, consult your veterinarian and make a diet plan. Reduce unhealthy food and snacks, and measure the Greyhound weight regularly.

Greyhound Allergies and Grooming

Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat does the Greyhound have? What does this canine coat/fur look like?
Fine
Colors
What color is the breed's coat? What color are proper Greyhound coats?
BlackGray Red Blue White
Grooming
How to groom the Greyhound and how often? How often should I take my Greyhound to the groomer?
Effortless: The Greyhound requires minimal grooming. Seasonal flea treatment is needed, but cutting the dog's hair by a professional groomer isn't necessary.

Ears and eyes should be cleaned sometimes to avoid infections. Greyhound is one of the best choices if you don't have the time, skill, or money to take care of a high-maintenance dog.

Highly recommended for beginners.
Shedding Level
How much do Greyhound dogs shed? How to control, reduce and prevent the shedding of the English Greyhound? Do Greyhound dogs shed a lot?
Greyhound dogs shed moderately. It's a natural process of the hair growth cycle. Regular brushing reduces the amount of hair that sheds. It mostly depends on their health status and breed type.
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
How often does the Greyhound need a bath? How often should you give a Greyhound a bath? Can I bathe my Greyhound every day?
3-4 weeks
More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. While a good bath every now and then is a great way to keep your buddy from becoming overly smelly, be mindful about overbathing.

Bathing will wash away your dog’s natural oils, while a simple brushing every few days should keep them clean.

Hypoallergenic
Is the Greyhound breed hypoallergenic?
No
Greyhound dogs don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing allergic reactions. Some dog breeds are even considered to higher possibility of an allergic response. Coat type isn't necessarily relevant, because most people are allergic to dander (flakes on the dog's skin) or saliva, not actually to dog hair.
Stinkiness
How stinky is this dog? Why does it smell bad and how to get rid of the smell?

Medium

The Greyhound has an average chance of bad smell. Top reasons for dog stinkiness: infection of bad tooth/ear/skin folds, gas attacks.
Drooling Tendency
Does the Greyhound drool?
The Greyhound is a perfect example of a low drooling tendency. If you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, the Greyhound could be a good choice for you. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. It can be completely normal or a sign of a health problem. Certain dog breeds drool less than others, just like the Greyhound.

If you notice any change in your dog's drooling habit, you should contact a vet as soon as possible.

Greyhound Good With

Pet Friendly
Are they pet-friendly dogs? How well do Greyhound dogs get along with other pets? Are Greyhound dogs good with pets? What is this canine temperament with other pets?
Greyhound dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets.
Stranger Friendly
Are they aggressive or friendly towards/with strangers? Greyhound temperament with other people:
Greyhound dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.
Child Friendly
Are Greyhound dogs kid-friendly? Are they good with young children? Greyhound temperament with children:
Greyhound dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. This breed enjoys being surrounded by children.
Cat Friendly
How well do Greyhound dogs get along with cats? Are they good with kittens? What is this fido's temperament with cats? Can they be good with cats? Can the Greyhound breed live with a cat?
Greyhound dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Friendly
Is Greyhound good with other dogs? Are they dog-friendly dogs? How well do Greyhound dogs get along with other dogs?
Greyhound dogs are very dog-friendly dogs. If you want more dogs in your family or you'd like to join dog meetups, the Greyhound can be a great choice.
Good For First Time Owners
Is Greyhound breed good for first-time owners? Do they make a good dog for novice owners? Is Greyhound breed suitable for first-time owners?
Yes
Greyhound dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly
Are Greyhound dogs good office canines? Do Greyhound dogs make good office-friendly pets? Can they be office dogs?
No
Greyhound is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly
Are they senior citizens friendly dogs? How well do Greyhound dogs get along with the elderly people? What is the English Greyhound temperament with senior people? Are Greyhound dogs good for elderly owners?
Greyhounds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Greyhound As a Working Dog

Service Dog
Are they good as service dogs? Can Greyhound be a guide dog? Are they used as seeing-eye dogs?

Not really

This breed generally not used as a service dog. A service dog is a term used in the USA to refer to any type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities, such as visual impairment, hearing impairments, mental disorders, seizures, mobility impairment, and diabetes. Service dogs are protected under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

Greyhound is not the best breed for service purposes.

Therapy Dog
Are they good as therapy dogs? Can Greyhound be a therapy dog? Are they good anxiety dogs? Can a Greyhound be an emotional support animal?

Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. A therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and people with anxiety disorders or autism.

Greyhound breed is a good choice for therapeutic purposes.

Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Are they good as detection dogs? Can Greyhound be a sniffer dog?

Not really

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.

Greyhound is not the best breed for detection purposes.

Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Are they good as SAR dogs? Can Greyhound be a search and rescue dog?

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and locating missing people.

The Greyhound is not the best breed for SAR purposes.

Boat and Sailor Dog
Are they good as boat dogs? Can Greyhound be a boat dog?

Not really

Greyhound breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.

Boat dogs were typically bred for their strength, stamina, and water resistance, as they were often required to perform tasks such as pulling in fishing nets, and jumping into the water to retrieve ropes or lines, or helping to move cargo.

Sailor dog is a type of dog that was bred to accompany sailors on their voyages. They were typically used for three purposes: as a working dog, a watchdog, and as a companion. A boat dog is a term used to describe a type of dog that was traditionally bred and used as a working dog on boats.

Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Are they good as cart pulling dogs? Can Greyhound be a drafting dog?

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. Dogs bred for this work have strong builds and qualities that are needed, strength and determination.

Greyhound is not the best breed for drafting purposes.

Fighting Dog / Military Dog
Where Greyhound dogs used as fighting / military dogs in history?

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Greyhound Reproducibility

Gestation Length
How long is a Greyhound pregnant?How long does it take to have puppies? How to tell if the Greyhound breed is pregnant?

60-64 days

Reproductive cycle of the female Greyhound: The first period called Proestrus lasts for about 9 days.

During this time the females start to attract males. You can notice by swelling vulva and bloody discharge.

The second part is the Estrus when the female is receptive for the male. It lasts for about 3 to 11 days.

The sign of the proestrus part is the soft and enlarged vulva. The discharge decreases and lightens in color.

The third part is the Diestrus. Normally, it occurs around day 14. In this period the female’s discharge changes for vivid red and coming to its end. The vulva returns to average, and she will no longer permit mating.

The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time frame between heat periods normally lasts about six months.

Litter Frequency

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy. It is very important not to buy a dog from a puppy mill, where the needs of the pups and their mothers are ignored. It's an inhumane high-volume dog breeding facility, where puppies born several times a year.
Litter Size
How many puppies can the Greyhound have in a litter? How many puppies can the Greyhound breed have for the first time? How many puppies does a Greyhound have? How many puppies can a Greyhound give birth to?
1-12 puppies

Greyhound Recognition

AKC Group
Is Greyhound recognized by the American Kennel Club?
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Hound breed.
FCI Group
Is Greyhound recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)?
Recognized by FCI in the Sighthounds group, in the Short-haired Sighthounds section.
Breed Recognition
What kennel clubs and organizations recognize or register the Greyhound breed?
American Canine RegistryAmerican Kennel ClubAmerica's Pet RegistryCanadian Kennel ClubDog Registry of America Inc.Federation Cynologique InternationaleKennel Club of Great BritainNorth American Purebred Registry, Inc.American Canine Association, Inc.Australian National Kennel CouncilContinental Kennel ClubNational Kennel ClubNew Zealand Kennel ClubUnited Kennel Club

Greyhound Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Trainability: Greyhound dogs are easy to train.
  • Apartment Friendly: Very house-friendly dog the Greyhound breed.
  • Grooming: Effortless: The Greyhound requires minimal grooming.
  • Drooling Tendency: The Greyhound is a perfect example of a low drooling tendency.
  • Adaptability: Greyhound dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
  • Child Friendly: Greyhound dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
  • Dog Friendly: Greyhound dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.
  • Senior Citizens Friendly: Greyhounds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.
  • Good For First Time Owners: Greyhound dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
  • Therapy Dog: This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
Cons
  • Hypoallergenic: Greyhound dogs don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing allergic reactions.
  • Mouthiness: Greyhound dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.
  • Impulse to Wander or Roam: Greyhound dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world.
  • Cat Friendly: Greyhound dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.
  • Office Friendly: Greyhound is not the best dog breed for office environment.

Rate The Greyhound Breed

Greyhound Comments, Reviews and Questions

  • Sofey the animal lover

    Apr 1, 2020, 5:17:15 PM:

    this is a really good dog just make sure you have had experience with this breed or a simuiler breed and live in a place with a lot of land so your dog can have plenty of space to run around and play.