Is a Greyhound for You?

The following list will help you decide if a Greyhound is right for you:

  • They have almost no fat on their body and very short hair so they MUST be indoor pets and may need to wear a coat and boots in cold or wet weather.
  • Some Greyhounds still want to run and for those dogs a large fenced yard or nearby fenced field will be necessary. However, many Greyhounds no longer want to run much and a fenced yard and daily walks are all that is required.
  • They have no “doggy odour” because they have no oil in their coats. Once a year bathing and occasional brushing with a soft brush or grooming glove will keep them looking great. They also need their toenails clipped and their teeth brushed.
  • They generally love children and will move to another area if they have had enough, however no small child should be left unsupervised with any dog.
  • They can be thieves and might be found with clothes, kid’s toys, the remote control, or food off the counter. Your house must be DOG proof until your Greyhound learns these things are “off limits!”
  • Greyhounds eat a lot! Some people think they are too skinny but that’s not because they don’t eat, or you don’t feed them, it’s because this is their natural shape.
  • Most Greyhounds do not make good guard dogs. There is not much difference in personality from males to females but each dog does have its own individual personality.
  • While there is no recorded history of hip dysplasia in Greyhounds at this time, gastric torsion, which can occur in large, deep-chested breeds has been seen in Greyhounds. Osteosarcoma – bone cancer is, sadly, not uncommon in greyhounds. The only genetic problem Greyhounds may have is hypothyroidism – controlled with daily medication.