Greyhound
The Greyhound is a gentle, noble, and sweet-tempered companion that makes a very quiet, loyal housedog. Despite its reputation as the champion sprinter of dogdom, it is content with a moderate daily walk or jog and a few games for mental stimulation.
28-30 inches tall, 65-70 pounds (male); 27-28 inches tall, 60-65 pounds (female)
10-13 years
A daily moderate walk or jog (or a sprint in a securely fenced area) plus a few short games or tricks for mental exercise
Very quiet; barking rated 1 out of 5
Quiet indoor companion; should not be off leash unless the area is securely fenced; short coat offers little cold-weather protection, so a coat is advisable in cold climates
Short and thin; weekly brushing and occasional bathing; shedding is below average
Requires a moderate walk or jog, or a sprint in an enclosed area, every day; a few games and tricks provide needed mental exercise; learns quickly but is easily bored
Temperament
The Greyhound is a gentle, noble, and sweet-tempered companion with an independent spirit. In the home, this breed makes a very quiet housedog as long as its exercise needs are met. Greyhounds are good with other dogs and with children, though their independent nature may make play frustrating. They are not retrievers at heart.
Greyhounds learn quickly but are easily bored, and they do best with reward-based training that involves food. They are not very good at coming when called and may tend to run off to chase things, particularly small fast animals. Most greyhounds should not be let off leash unless the area is securely fenced. If raised with cats, a Greyhound can be good with house cats; retired racers may or may not be good with cats.
Barking is minimal. A moderate daily walk or jog, or a sprint in an enclosed area, keeps them content.
“The champion sprinter of dogdom, the Greyhound is a gentle, noble, and sweet-tempered companion with an independent spirit.”
AKC
Daily needs and attention
A Greyhound makes a very quiet house dog as long as its exercise needs are met. Daily, it requires a moderate walk or jog, or a sprint in an enclosed area. A few games and tricks provide needed mental exercise, and the breed does best with reward-based training involving food. The coat is short and thin, needing only weekly brushing and occasional bathing; shedding is below average. In cold weather, a coat may be beneficial, as the short hair provides little protection. The Greyhound is gentle and sweet-tempered, good with other dogs and with children. It is not very good at coming when called and may tend to run off to chase things, particularly small fast animals, so most greyhounds should not be let off leash unless the area is securely fenced. For a working household, the daily commitment is straightforward: one solid outing, a few minutes of engagement, and a secure space for the sprint.
“Requires a moderate walk or jog, or a sprint in an enclosed area, every day.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
Health and lifespan
Greyhounds typically live 10 to 13 years. Males stand 28 to 30 inches and weigh 65 to 70 pounds; females are 27 to 28 inches and 60 to 65 pounds. The breed's natural build is lean, with a short, thin coat that needs weekly brushing and occasional bathing. Shedding is below average. Because the coat offers little insulation, a coat may be beneficial in cold weather.
Weight management is the primary health consideration. Owners often overfeed greyhounds, so a balanced diet with restricted calories is recommended if the dog begins to gain excess weight. You should be able to feel the ribs, but they should not be too noticeable.
Most pet greyhounds in the United States are retired NGA racing dogs. Their daily exercise needs are moderate: a walk or jog, or a sprint in a securely fenced area. A few games or tricks provide needed mental exercise. They learn quickly but are easily bored, so reward-based, food-motivated training works best.
“You should be able to feel the ribs, but they should not be too noticeable.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
Habits and behavior
A Greyhound is a gentle, sweet-tempered companion with an independent spirit. In the home, the breed makes a very quiet housedog as long as its exercise needs are met. A moderate walk or jog, or a sprint in an enclosed area, every day satisfies its physical needs, and a few games or tricks provide needed mental exercise. The Greyhound learns quickly but is easily bored, and does best with reward-based training involving food.
The breed is good with other dogs and with children, though its independent nature may make play frustrating for them. It is not a retriever at heart. If raised with cats, a Greyhound can be good with house cats; retired racers may or may not be good with cats. The Greyhound is not very good at coming when called and may tend to run off to chase things, particularly small fast animals. Most greyhounds should not be let off leash unless the area is securely fenced. The short coat provides little protection against cold weather.
“The champion sprinter of dogdom, the Greyhound is a gentle, noble, and sweet-tempered companion with an independent spirit.”
AKC
Housing: apartment, house, yard and crate
A Greyhound makes a very quiet housedog as long as its exercise needs are met. With a barking rating of 1 out of 5, it suits apartment living well for households that want a calm indoor companion. At 28 to 30 inches tall and 65 to 70 pounds, it is a large dog, so a spacious room or a house with room to stretch is preferable to a very small studio. Daily exercise is essential: a moderate walk or jog, or a sprint in an enclosed area, keeps the dog content. Most greyhounds should not be let off leash unless the yard is securely fenced, as they may run off to chase small fast animals. A crate can serve as a safe den, but the dog is not a typical lap dog (rated 2 out of 5) and will prefer its own bed on the floor. The short, thin coat provides little protection against cold weather, so a coat may be beneficial in colder months. Shedding is below average.
“Makes a very quiet housedog as long as its exercise needs are met.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
Challenges
A Greyhound brings a calm, quiet presence into a home, but a few practical considerations help set expectations. The breed is independent and not a retriever at heart, so games that depend on a dog returning a ball on command may not come naturally. They learn quickly but are easily bored, so reward-based training with food works best. Daily exercise is essential: a moderate walk or jog, or a sprint in an enclosed area, every day. Most greyhounds should not be off leash unless the yard is securely fenced, because they may run off to chase small, fast animals. Their short coat offers little protection against cold weather, so a coat may be beneficial. Owners often overfeed them; you should be able to feel the ribs without them being too noticeable. Retired racing greyhounds may or may not be good with house cats.
“It is not very good at coming when called, and may tend to run off to chase things, particularly small fast animals.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
The fun part
A Greyhound brings a quiet, low-maintenance energy to a home. They are gentle, sweet-tempered companions who make a very quiet housedog as long as their exercise needs are met. A moderate walk or jog, or a sprint in an enclosed area, every day is the main physical ask. A few games and tricks round out the mental exercise. They learn quickly and do best with reward-based training involving food. Their short coat needs only weekly brushing and occasional bathing, and shedding is below average. They are good with other dogs and with children, and can be clownish at times. For a working household, the routine is straightforward: one solid outing, a few minutes of play, and the rest of the day they settle in as a calm, lean-built companion. They are not a retriever at heart, so expect a dog that prefers to observe and rest as much as to fetch. A jogging partner who is also a gentle, quiet presence on the couch.
“The champion sprinter of dogdom, the Greyhound is a gentle, noble, and sweet-tempered companion with an independent spirit.”
American Kennel Club
Living with kids, cats and other dogs
Greyhounds are good with other dogs and with children, and they make a loyal and gentle companion. Their independent nature can make play feel one-sided to younger kids, and they are not a retriever at heart, so expect a dog that participates on its own terms.
Around cats, the picture is more variable. A greyhound raised with house cats can be good with them, but retired racers may or may not be good with cats, so ask the shelter about the individual dog's history before introducing a feline resident.
With other dogs, greyhounds are good companions. They learn quickly but are easily bored, so reward-based training involving food works best. A few games and tricks provide the mental exercise they need alongside a daily moderate walk or jog.
In a working household, the key is consistency: a short daily exercise routine, a securely fenced yard for off-leash time, and patience with a dog that may not always come when called, particularly if a small fast animal crosses its path.
“Good with other dogs and with children.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
What to ask the rescue
Ask whether the dog is a retired NGA racer or an AKC greyhound, since most pet greyhounds come from racing. If you have cats, ask specifically whether this dog has been tested around them, as retired racers may or may not be good with cats. Inquire about the dog's current weight and whether the rescue has a feeding plan, since greyhounds are built lean and owners often overfeed them. Ask what the dog's daily exercise routine looks like at the shelter and whether it has been exercised in an enclosed area. Confirm the dog's comfort level with children and other dogs. Ask about the dog's response to being called and whether it has a tendency to chase small fast animals, since most greyhounds should not be off leash unless the area is securely fenced. Finally, ask about the dog's grooming history and whether its coat thickness is typical for the breed.
“Retired racers may or may not be good with cats.”
VCA Animal Hospitals