Greyhound

English Greyhound

Often exploited to the maximum, the Greyhound unfortunately has to endure an inglorious end of career, his specimens being over exploited by the racing industry. Fortunately, nowadays, many organizations have come to his aid to allow him to enjoy a pretty golden retirement, in the comfort of a cozy home, surrounded by all the affection he so deserves. Adopting a Greyhound is a truly charitable act, that will be rewarded by enjoying everyday the company of these wonderful dogs.

Height 68 to 76 cm
Weight 28 to 33 kg
Life expectancy 10 to 12 years
Hair Loss High
Excercise Need High
Home country United Kingdom (UK)

Quick Overview of the Greyhound

Temperament

  • Rather quiet
  • Faithful and loyal
  • Sweet and affectionate
  • Great adaptability

Appearance

  • Very powerful muscles
  • Exudes a certain nobility
  • Outstanding agility
  • Elegant and very distinguished

Health

  • Excellent general health
  • Sensitive to temperature variations

Temperament of the Greyhound

This large, refined and very elegant dog has a rather quiet temperament. Faithful, loyal, affectionate and very gentle, he is never aggressive.

The Greyhound seems a bit detached, but he is an excellent dog, affectionate but not very cuddly. He has great capacity for adaptation and is very observant. He will conform very easily to his owner's habits, regardless of the environment.

He is a strong and calm dog and is indifferent to strangers, which makes him a poor watchdog.

lévrier anglais personnalité

Breed Appearance

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This large dog is very robust. Despite his fragile-looking physique, he is well built and has a very powerful musculature.

His symmetrical silhouette gives him great power and vigor. His long strides allow him to cover a lot of ground in a very short time.

The Greyhound exudes a certain nobility, observed through extraordinary grace and agility. He is very elegant and distinguished.

Height

Between 71 and 76 cm (27.95 to 29.92 inches) for the male
Between 68 and 71 cm (26.77 to 27.95 inches) for the female

Weight

Between 28 and 33 kg (61.73 to 72.75 pounds) for the male
Between 28 and 33 kg (61.73 to 72.75 pounds) for the female

Color

His coat is rather uniform, and it can vary between black, white, blue, fawn, red or brindle.

Hair

His hair is tight and very fine.

Morphology

His head is long, but not very wide. His oval eyes are very bright and dark.

His ears are thin and small. His nose, generally black, can also vary depending on the color. His tail is long, while shrinking towards the end, is curved and set low.

According to the FCI breeds nomenclature, this breed belongs to group 10, section 3 and is #158

Characteristics of the Greyhound

Does this dog suit your lifestyle?

Every dog breed has its own characteristics. However, the actual character of a dog can vary from one to another within the same breed.

Find out if the Greyhound is your ideal dog breed with our quiz.

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Life in an apartment
Good first dog
Tolerates solitude
Tolerates cold weather
Tolerates hot weather
Affectionate
Friendly with children
Friendly with strangers
Friendly with other animals
Hair loss
Drooling level
Easy to care for
Robust health
Easy to train
Intelligent
Tendency to bark
Tendency to nibble
Protective
Instinct to hunt
Adventurous spirit
Energy level
Level of intensity
Need for exercise
Playful

Tips About this breed

The Greyhound is far from being sedentary. His need for exercise is great, and is part of his nature.

The interior of the house suits him perfectly, because he fears bad weather, but his need for exercise is daily.

He will be able to live very well in the city as in the countryside. An apartment or a house will suit him perfectly.

However, his master will have to assure him his dose of daily exercise, in a space where he can spend his boundless energy.

Health of the Greyhound

The Greyhound is very robust, and enjoys excellent health in general.

The cold can sometimes bother him, and it is essential to protect him from bad weather. His work often causes him injuries.

You must therefore be vigilant after races and check for potential injuries. In case of such, it is best to treat it quickly to avoid infection.

Changes in temperature can cause him health issues. Vigilance is essential.

GROOMING

The hair of his coat being very short, the Greyhound does not require any particular maintenance.

History of this breed

Originally from Africa or the East, like the majority of greyhounds, the English Greyhound as we know him today would come from Great Britain. This very old dog, generally used as a racing dog, has been known since ancient times.

His speed is legendary, and he was widely used by the Greeks, who already organized dog racing competitions at the time.

Most likely descendant of the Arabian Greyhound, the English Greyhound was imported to Europe and royalty used him for hunting wild boar, roe deer and deer.

Appearing on the coats of arms of Henry VIII of England and Charles V of France, he was very popular during the Middle Ages. Kings especially loved him. It was around 1750 that the English decided to codify the rules of the race. Still very popular today, artificial hare races began around 1927.

Unfortunately, the price to pay for the popularity of the races made the English Greyhound one of the most slaughtered and abused breeds, along with those of the Pitbull and the Beagle.

Asia, New Zealand, Australia, United States, Ireland and United Kingdom make extensive use of the English Greyhound, which contributes to increasing the number of abused specimens on the planet.

Fortunately, the Greyhounds in Distress association promotes the adoption of retired Greyhounds. Often very young, retired Greyhounds from the race fortunately make wonderful life companions.

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