Greyhound
Overview
The ultimate couch potato — despite their racing reputation, retired greyhounds need surprisingly little exercise.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Greyhound is good with children and sociable with other dogs. They tend to be a very quiet, and as a guide they are good for first-time owners. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Greyhound typically needs around 30 minutes (gentle, broken into shorter walks) of exercise a day (roughly 30–45 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content; mental stimulation matters as much as the distance covered. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is wash-and-go and shedding is low. A quick brush now and then, plus the occasional bath when needed, is usually plenty. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Greyhound should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a large breed will eat a fair amount compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Calm, gentle and quiet; happy with two short walks a day
- +Low grooming; many ex-racers are looking to be rehomed
Things to consider
- –Strong prey drive — needs care around small animals and secure recall
- –Thin-skinned and feels the cold; needs a soft bed and a coat
Is a Greyhound right for you?
On space, a Greyhound is flat-friendly — they can adapt to a flat as long as they get their daily exercise and company. For experience level, they are good for first-time owners. That makes them a reasonable choice for a committed first-time owner.
Kit that suits a Greyhound
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Greyhounds good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide, Greyhounds tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Greyhound need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Greyhound needs around 30 minutes (gentle, broken into shorter walks) of exercise a day (30–45 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Greyhounds shed a lot?
Low shedding. Coat upkeep is wash-and-go — a quick brush now and then is usually enough.
Are Greyhounds easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Good for first-time owners. Greyhounds are generally a forgiving choice for first-time owners who put in early training and socialisation. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Greyhounds bark a lot?
Very quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Greyhounds good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Greyhounds suit flats or smaller homes?
Flat-friendly. A Greyhound can adapt to flat living as long as it gets its daily exercise and company.