Greyhound

• ExerciseLow

  Short strolls and play indoors keep them content.

• GroomingWash & go

  The occasional brush and bath is plenty.

• Living spaceHouse with room

  Does best with room to move and a yard.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment10–13 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Bloat (GDV) · Heart disease · Dental issues

The Greyhound is the fastest dog on Earth and, paradoxically, one of the calmest and easiest to live with: a 70 km/h sprinter that spends most of the day as a serene, gentle couch potato. Its exercise needs are modest but specific — a chance to run flat-out in a safe enclosed space, balanced by lots of soft-bedded lounging. Quiet, affectionate and undemanding, it makes a wonderful, low-fuss companion, and retired racing Greyhounds are famously rewarding to adopt. Two traits shape ownership: a strong prey drive means it may chase small animals and often can't be trusted off-lead in open areas; and with almost no body fat it feels the cold and needs a coat and warm bedding. The short coat is wonderfully easy, needing only a weekly wipe. Health-wise the Greyhound is one of the healthier large breeds but has some specifics: it is prone to bloat (feed measured meals and rest after eating), can have heart conditions, and needs excellent dental care as the breed is prone to tooth and gum disease. Its low body fat also makes it sensitive to anaesthesia (tell your vet). Give it safe running, warmth, soft beds and dental care, and a Greyhound will be a gentle, serene companion for ten to thirteen years.

• How much exercise does a Greyhound need?

  Low. Short strolls and play indoors keep them content.

• How much grooming does a Greyhound need?

  Wash & go. The occasional brush and bath is plenty.

• Is a Greyhound suited to apartment living?

  House with room. Does best with room to move and a yard.

• Is a Greyhound a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Greyhound live?

  10–13 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Greyhound?

  Keep an eye out for Bloat (GDV), Heart disease, Dental issues. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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