Greyhound
灰獵犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Greyhound is the original sighthound — a 5,000-year-old design for high-speed pursuit and the template from which the other coursing hounds were struck. Its owners call it the '45 mph couch potato': explosive outdoors when something runs, but gentle, quiet and lazy at home, reserved with strangers and sensitive to harsh handling. It must only run loose in a securely fenced area, its thin skin and long tail are prone to injury, and as a deep-chested breed it is at risk of bloat.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 69–76cm |
| Weight | 27–32kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–13years |
| Breed group | AKC: hound FCI: 10 |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Short coat |
| Shedding | 2/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–120min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 4/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 4/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 1/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Heart conditions
Certain heart conditions are reported in the breed; breeders may have breeding stock examined by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested dogs of this breed are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Neuroaxonal dystrophy / neurological DNA-tested conditions
Inherited neurological conditions are reported in the breed and DNA tests exist for some. Ask your breeder which tests were done.
Sports injuries, skin tears and tail damage
Because they are athletes, the AKC notes Greyhounds can suffer pulled muscles, broken toes and split pads; their fine, taut skin tears easily and the long, whip-like tail can split or break on impact. Ask your vet about first aid for cuts and about safe surfaces for running.
Behaviour
45 mph couch potato — run only where it is safe
The AKC calls the Greyhound the cheetah of the dog world: perfectly happy to lounge around the house all day, yet capable of amazing speed when it spots prey, a tennis ball or a coursing lure. It needs a regular schedule of exercise and chances to run full out, but must only be off leash in a securely fenced area because it may not resist the urge to chase. The parent club adds that puppies and young dogs need free play in an enclosed area, preferably daily, and should be at least 18–24 months old before jogging or cycling with an owner so the growth plates can close.
Independent, sensitive, reserved
The AKC explains that a coursing breed hunts by sight and makes its own decisions, so training a Greyhound frustrates owners who expect the biddability of other gundogs: socialise early with small animals and children, keep lessons short because it bores easily, and use a gentle approach — never harsh — with a dog that is more interested in doing things with you than for you, affectionate with family and reserved with strangers. The parent club notes that most Greyhounds live happily with indoor cats, but running prey outdoors will trigger the chase.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Greyhound
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Greyhound (Hounds)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Greyhound
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Greyhound (standard no. 158, group 10)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The Greyhound Club of America's FAQ tells prospective owners that a fenced yard matters, that a healthy Greyhound is supposed to look "skinny", that they do shed, and that indoor cats are usually fine but outdoor cats and other running animals are not; a house without a fenced yard suits only an older, mature dog with a committed exercise routine, and young dogs should not jog or cycle with you until 18–24 months.”
— Greyhound Club of America — FAQ via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Greyhound — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Greyhound — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Greyhound — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Greyhound — FCI standard no. 158 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]FAQ — Greyhound Club of America — Greyhound Club of America (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.