A smiling Greyhound in a field of yellow flowers

Greyhound Insurance, Care and Health Advice

Originally bred as hunting dogs, Greyhounds have a surprisingly soft-hearted nature. They might be the fastest breed in the world – but when they’re not racing through fields, they love snuggling up on the sofa with their owners.

If you’re looking for an affectionate and friendly pet to cuddle on a rainy Sunday, a Greyhound might be the best option for you.

Greyhound Facts

Dog breed type icon
Type
Hound
Dog breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
10 - 14 years
Dog breed size icon
Size
Large
Dog breed weight icon
Weight
29 - 32 kg
Dog breed height icon
Height
68 - 76 cm
Dog breed temperament icon
Temperament
Gentle, athletic, quiet
Dog breed exercise icon
Exercise
40 - 60 mins per day
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Grooming
Low maintenance

Is a Greyhound Right for Me?

Greyhounds can initially be shy and cautious, but once they open up they’re an incredibly loyal and loving pet. They also have a thin coat and are not prone to barking, making them the perfect low-maintenance and low-volume companion.

They are friendly and affectionate, with a calm demeanour that works well in households with small children. They also love being around other dogs. However, they do have a natural instinct to hunt prey, so may take slightly longer to adjust around smaller pets.

Greyhounds are sensitive dogs, and can take a while to warm up to new people. But once they do, they’re companions for life.

A white Greyhound puppy lying down

What Are Greyhound Puppies Like?

Greyhound puppies are a handful. They have a lot of energy and do everything at super fast speed. In their first few months they can be like a hurricane, sweeping through the place and causing chaos. They can be destructive with their chewing so don’t leave your puppy unattended for long. But don’t worry, they soon calm down and unexpectedly become a quiet couch potato, as long as they are getting the exercise they need outside.

A Greyhound dog standing alert in a field

Life with a Greyhound

Greyhounds are generally independent dogs – great for working couples or busy families. Greyhounds generally have a gentle temperament and are among the least vocal dog breeds. While they do require plenty of exercise to burn off their high energy levels, they also love to curl up next to you and doze the afternoon away. 

Caring for Your Greyhound

Greyhounds aren’t known for being greedy, but they can become competitive if fed with other dogs. Your dog will need feeding 1-2 times a day, twice is ideal to help prevent their stomach from twisting (known as GDV – more information given below). If your dog is a retired Greyhound it will be used to a strict feeding routine, which you should continue with to make their transition into your home easier.

If you are unsure of how much to feed your dog, there are feeding guidelines on the back of the food packaging. What type and brand of food you feed is your decision but check with your vet if you are unsure about nutritional content.

While Greyhounds do shed fur, it’s generally only a small amount – but they still benefit from weekly brushing. With their fur being so short, Greyhounds tend to pick up less dirt and debris than other dogs. This means their coat stays cleaner for longer.

Greyhounds tend to have poor dental health , so would benefit from regular brushing to reduce tartar build-up. 

Greyhounds are highly intelligent dogs, which means they pick up training fairly easily. However, they are also sensitive and easily startled, so patience and reassurance are important.

You’ll need to give your Greyhound 40-60 minutes of exercise daily - they prefer to have this time split up so that they get a few shorter runs in a day.

Greyhounds can struggle in colder climates so might benefit from a jacket during those winter walks.

Greyhound Insurance

Greyhounds may be fleet of foot, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less prone to picking up the odd bump or bruise, or falling ill. For times like that, having your Greyhound covered with Everypaw’s Greyhound Insurance, could be a saving grace.

Our Lifetime Greyhound Insurance might come in handy for any new illnesses and any bumps and bruises that happen along the way. 

Start a quote

Common Greyhound Health Problems by Vetstream

Greyhounds are a relatively healthy dog breed, provided they get plenty of exercise and care. However, there are some common health issues to watch out for, especially if you are thinking of adopting a retired Greyhound.

Von Willebrand’s factor is a protein that helps cells stick together to form a normal blood clot in the body. VWD is when there is a reduced number of this factor meaning that the blood doesn’t clot well. Affected dogs should not be bred from because it is an inherited disease.

Dogs with VWD are prone to bruising and bleeding, which is dangerous if the dog is injured or requires surgery. In these situations, plasma and blood transfusions will be given to help the blood clot. Occasionally, surgery is required to stop the bleeding.

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) is when a build-up of gas causes the stomach to inflate and flop to one side or twist. This blocks the gases from escaping, which is life-threatening and leads to death in less than an hour if untreated.

Affected dogs will have a swollen and painful abdomen, difficulty breathing or collapse, and vomit frothy foam. They need to be seen immediately for their stomach to be emptied and returned to its normal position.

Feeding small meals 2-4 times a day and restricting exercise and drinking around meal times helps to prevent GDV from happening. 

Arthritis is an inflammation of joints that causes pain and stiffness. The cartilage in the joints degrades over time and becomes damaged, resulting in the bone surfaces being able to rub together causing further damage.

Arthritis is common in retired race Greyhounds due to the level of exercise and previous injuries. Affected dogs will be reluctant to exercise and may limp or appear stiff.

Unfortunately, the cartilage rarely repairs but anti-inflammatory drugs can be given to manage the pain and inflammation. Weight control and restricted exercise are also needed to help manage the condition.
 

Pannus affects the clear part of the eye (cornea), mostly in middle-aged dogs (4-7 years). It is a hereditary condition that can be affected by ultraviolet lights, high altitudes and smoke.

Signs of the condition mostly start with a pink mass appearing on the cornea and the third eyelid will become inflamed. Over time the mass will flatten and spread out, causing scarring to spread across the cornea. This will impair the dog’s vision.

The condition is not curable but it can be controlled with medication. Occasionally, steroid injections are given under the conjunctiva. This may help to prevent the progression of the disease.

Quick Greyhound Q&A

A Greyhound is a breed of dog with origins in Ancient Egypt. Greyhounds are known for their slender body shape. Originally bred for hunting, they are the fastest breed of dog in the world and are commonly used in racing sports.

Generally, a female Greyhound will reach their maximum height at 16 months, while males can take up to 19 months. 

The average lifespan for a Greyhound is between 10-14 years. However, many Greyhounds live up to 15 years. 

Greyhounds tend to shed little to average amounts of fur. However, they only have one layer of fur, which tends to be short, making them easy to groom and maintain. 

While no dog is completely hypoallergenic, a Greyhound’s thin coat means they don’t shed as much as other breeds – and therefore are less likely to trigger an allergy. Regular brushing and bathing will keep their shedding to a minimum.

That's All You Need to Know About Greyhounds

This is a super-fast, energetic breed that will get you out and about. They’ll amaze you with their speed and agility, but what will surprise you the most is how easy going they are at home. Expect to find your Greyhound sleeping soundly for most of the day, and then watch them fly around the place when on a walk.  

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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