Discover Everything About Greyhound
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Greyhound overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Greyhound is an athletic and anatomically robust dog that enjoys solid health compared to other large breeds. Nevertheless, there are breed-specific risks such as aggressive osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and life-threatening GDV (bloat) that owners should be aware of. Additionally, the risk of malignant hyperthermia should be considered by a veterinarian prior to any anesthesia, as there may be a genetic predisposition for this condition.
Lifespan
10–14 yrs
Height
68–76 cm
Weight
27–40 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,800 – 3,000 €
- Coat: Short, smooth, no undercoat
- Origin: Great Britain
Typical coat colors
- Diverse
- from black
- white
- red
- blue
- brindle to various shades of brindle
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Greyhound, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Greyhound right for you?
The Greyhound is a gentle, extremely calm sighthound at home—bred for explosive sprints, where any visual stimulus can trigger a hunting instinct in milliseconds that almost no voice in the world can stop.
Perfect for you if:
- You have safe, high-fenced exercise areas nearby where they can safely live out their sprinting instinct
- You are looking for an unobtrusive, extremely affectionate companion at home who prefers to spend most of the day on the softest sofa
- You lead gently and without loud words—this breed is lightning-fast physically, but highly sensitive mentally
- You prefer short, relaxed walks rather than hours of exhausting hikes in pouring rain
Less ideal if:
- You expect your dog to remain reliably recallable in the woods when spotting game—a sighthound in sprint mode completely switches off their ears
- You have small, free-roaming pets like cats or rabbits that are immediately mistaken for prey due to their rapid movements
- You are looking for a robust outdoor dog that can lie outside for hours in cold and wet conditions—they simply lack the subcutaneous fat for that
The real vibes check
A Greyhound is a Ferrari in the body of a couch potato. Outside, a rustling leaf is enough to turn them into a 60 km/h rocket—inside, they are a gentle shadow that buries itself under your cozy blanket for hours. You get a highly specialized extreme that is surprisingly uncomplicated for everyday life, as long as you hold the leash tight in the woods.
Breed Profile
The Greyhound is an impressive sight, embodying speed, power and elegance. His lean, muscular body is optimally designed for his incredible sprint speeds, while his deep chest provides space for a strong heart and lungs. Its eyes are dark and intelligent, and its head is long and narrow, giving it keen vision. The Greyhound has a long history and is part of FCI Group 10, which stands for sighthounds.
| Height | 68 - 71 cm (Female), 71 - 76 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 27 - 34 kg (Female), 29 - 40 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 10 - 14 years |
| Character | Gentle, calm, affectionate |
| Coat | Short, smooth, no undercoat |
| Coat Color | Diverse, from black, white, red, blue, brindle to various shades of brindle |
| Price | 1800 - 3000 € |
History
Greyhounds are one of the oldest known dog breeds and their history goes back several thousand years. There are depictions of greyhound-like dogs in ancient Egyptian murals dating back to 4000 BC. The breed was popular with kings and queens over the centuries and was used to hunt quick prey such as rabbits and deer. In the Middle Ages, they were bred in England for hunting and later for greyhound racing, which further increased their popularity. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885.
The Greyhound was originally bred for hunting rabbits and other game, known for its exceptional speed.
Great Britain
Antike
Character & Temperament
Despite their impressive speed and hunting skills, Greyhounds are surprisingly gentle and calm dogs. They are loving and affectionate towards their owners and can often be considered real "lap dogs". prove. Their calm nature and ability to lie still for long periods of time have earned them the nickname "45-mile-an-hour couch potato." introduced. Greyhounds are also known to get along well with other dogs and even cats, especially if they are socialized early. They are naturally curious and alert without being overly vigilant or territorial. They are rather reserved and can be reserved towards strangers, but this should not be confused with aggression. Although greyhounds were bred as racing dogs, they surprisingly don't have high activity needs. They love a good outdoor sprint, but are content to sleep the rest of the day afterwards. However, that doesn't mean they should lie on the sofa all day. They need daily walks and regular opportunities to run safely in a fenced area. Greyhounds can learn to be alone well, provided they have received enough physical and mental stimulation and care has been taken to accustom them to being alone gradually and positively. It is important to note that due to their attachment to their family, they can be prone to separation anxiety and prefer their humans to be home most of the day. Greyhounds tend to exhibit strong prey-catching behavior due to their long history as hunting dogs. This means that they can have a tendency to chase after small animals and can therefore be difficult to reliably walk without a leash, especially in areas where wildlife is present. In conclusion, Greyhounds are fascinating dogs that can charm their humans with their gentleness, affectionate nature and graceful appearance. With the right care and support, they can be wonderful companions for life.
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
| Watchfulness Greets everyone as a friend — no natural guarding instinct. | Very low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that greyhounds are the fastest dogs in the world and can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h? Despite this impressive speed, they are also known as "40-mile-per-hour couch potatoes." known as they like to relax and sleep most of the day.
What Awaits You
As calm as greyhounds can be at home, they are almost unstoppable outside. They have a high motivation to hunt and run. Many owners report problems with the recall. This should be practiced early on.
Housing & Care
Greyhounds are amazingly adaptable dogs that can get along well in both the city and the country. They are calm dogs that can adapt well to apartment life as long as they get regular exercise. Their calm temperament and low tendency to bark make them ideal city dogs. They generally get along well with children, provided the interactions are supervised and the child has been educated on how to treat the dog respectfully. Your tolerance for other pets may vary. Some greyhounds live easily with cats, while others may not get along well with smaller pets due to their strong prey-catching behavior.
| Family Friendly Loves family life and thrives in a group. | Family-oriented |
| Child Friendly Gets on well with children — with adult supervision. | With supervision |
| Dog Friendly Actively enjoys the company of other dogs. | Dog-friendly |
| City Friendly Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners. | Difficult in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
Greyhounds are intelligent and willing to learn, but they also have an independent streak. Therefore, positive, reward-based training works best for them. They do not respond well to harsh corrections or training techniques based on dominance. Thanks to their history as hunting dogs, greyhounds have a high willingness to run and prey motivation, which can be used in suitable dog sports such as coursing or lure coursing. Here you can pursue your passion, a “prey attraction”. to chase after it without chasing a real animal. It is important to begin training impulse control and frustration tolerance in Greyhounds early. Because they have hunting instincts, they can tend to react to quick movements, and training helps them control these impulses.
Nutrition & Care
Greyhounds have relatively high protein consumption due to their lean, muscular bodies and the amount of energy they burn. They should be fed a high-quality dog food that contains enough protein. But beware of too many calories, as Greyhounds are not prone to becoming overweight, but growing too quickly during the puppy and adolescent phases can lead to bone and joint problems. When it comes to grooming, Greyhounds are fairly easy to care for. They have a short, smooth coat with no undercoat that requires minimal grooming. An occasional brushing will help remove dead hair and keep the coat shiny. They do not shed heavily, but as with all dogs, there are times of year when they shed more than usual. Because Greyhounds have no undercoat, they can sense cold and may require a dog coat in colder weather.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Working-dog energy that needs burning off every single day. | High-drive |
| Shedding No or minimal hair loss — suitable for allergy sufferers. | No shedding |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Solid
Health grade
The Greyhound is an athletic and anatomically robust dog that enjoys solid health compared to other large breeds. Nevertheless, there are breed-specific risks such as aggressive osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and life-threatening GDV (bloat) that owners should be aware of. Additionally, the risk of malignant hyperthermia should be considered by a veterinarian prior to any anesthesia, as there may be a genetic predisposition for this condition.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
You should pay attention to warm coats in winter, soft bedding for their joints, and strict rest periods after eating to minimize the risk of bloat.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the parents' hearts, eyes, and thyroids checked and pay attention to hereditary neurological diseases to reduce risks in the lineage.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the Greyhound
Petra G., Halterin aus Hessen (Rüde, seit 2021)
Als wir unseren ehemaligen Renngreyhound aus dem Tierschutz adoptiert haben, wussten wir theoretisch, worauf wir uns einlassen. Aber die Praxis ist doch noch mal etwas anderes. Drinnen ist er der absolute Traum: Er schläft gefühlt 20 Stunden am Tag, ist extrem verschmust und im Haus so leise, dass man ihn kaum bemerkt. Er zieht draußen auch überhaupt nicht an der Leine – ich kann ihn sprichwörtlich mit dem kleinen Finger halten.
Die Kehrseite ist ganz klar sein extrem ausgeprägter Jagdtrieb. Sobald wir das Haus verlassen, scannt er ununterbrochen die Umgebung ab. Ein ungesicherter Freilauf ist bei ihm absolut undenkbar, da er auf Sicht jagt und bei Wild sofort weg wäre. Auch bei schlechtem oder sehr heißem Wetter weigert er sich manchmal schlichtweg, überhaupt spazieren zu gehen und bleibt lieber in seinem warmen Bett liegen. Man muss diese charmante Sturheit einfach lieben und akzeptieren.
Michael S., Halter aus Bayern (Rüde, seit 2022)
Ich habe mich bewusst für einen 'Second-Hand'-Greyhound aus dem Tierschutz entschieden, der davor auf der Rennbahn aktiv war. Was viele unterschätzen: Diese Hunde kennen aus ihrem bisherigen Leben oft nur andere Greyhounds und Einzelboxen. Unser Rüde war anfangs extrem reaktiv gegenüber anderen Hunderassen, die er schlicht nicht einordnen konnte. Das bedeutete ein langes, geduldiges Training, um ihm die Unsicherheit und die Frustration an der Leine zu nehmen.
Ein weiteres Thema, das man kennen muss, ist die sogenannte Raumaggression. Da sie an ihre eigenen Einzelverschläge gewöhnt sind, reagieren manche Greys sehr sensibel, wenn man ihre Individualdistanz beim Liegen unterschreitet. Wenn man seine Grenzen respektiert und lernt, seine feinen Stresssignale wie das Abwenden des Kopfes zu lesen, klappt das Zusammenleben wunderbar. Er ist mittlerweile ein unfassbar treuer und sanfter Begleiter, aber man muss bereit sein, sich intensiv mit seiner Vorgeschichte auseinanderzusetzen.
Sabine T., Halterin aus Niedersachsen (Hündin, seit 2020)
Wir führen mit unserem Greyhound ein echtes Kompromiss-Leben, das aber wunderschön ist. Da er einen extremen Jagdtrieb besitzt, können wir ihn im normalen Alltag niemals von der Leine lassen. Um ihm trotzdem den rassetypischen Freilauf zu ermöglichen, fahren wir regelmäßig auf eine eingezäunte Rennbahn oder einen gesicherten Windhundauslauf. Ihn dort rennen zu sehen, ist pure Lebensfreude – für diesen kurzen, intensiven Sprint lässt er alles stehen.
Man muss sich auch bewusst sein, dass die Erziehung eines Greyhounds nicht mit der eines typischen Gebrauchshundes vergleichbar ist. Sie haben ihren eigenen Kopf und 'Sitz' oder 'Platz' klappt meist nur, wenn die Belohnung absolut stimmt – manche Greys setzen sich anatomisch bedingt auch einfach ungern hin. Wer einen leichtführigen Hund sucht, der aufs Wort pariert, ist hier falsch. Wer aber einen stolzen, sensiblen und im Haus unfassbar ruhigen Partner sucht, wird den Greyhound lieben.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
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Frequently asked questions about the Greyhound
Is a Greyhound the right dog for me?
The Greyhound is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Greyhound live?
The average life expectancy of a Greyhound is 10-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Greyhound need?
Greyhound grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Greyhound good for families with children?
The Greyhound can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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