Drawings of dogs of this type were found on ancient Egyptian tomb walls, dated as far back as around 4000 BC, according to the FCI standard. Today, you often meet the Greyhound as a former racer starting a second life as a family dog. Adopting one brings a large, gentle dog in a body built for speed.
| FCI | Group 10 (Sighthounds), Section 3 Short-haired Sighthounds, Standard No. 158, without working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Great Britain |
| Size (height at the withers) | ideal: males 71 to 76 cm, females 68 to 71 cm |
| Weight | not specified in the FCI standard |
| Life expectancy | median 11,5 years in a British analysis of 584.734 dogs (McMillan et al. 2024) |
| Coat | fine and close-fitting |
| Colours in the standard | black, white, red, blue, fawn, brindle or any of these with white; other colours not permitted |
Origins
Experts disagree, but the standard considers the Middle East a possible original homeland. Dogs of this type spread across Europe, with Britain developing the Greyhound into an established breed. The coursing dog chasing live hares became the racing dog. According to the standard, one was timed at over 45 miles per hour, a good 72 km/h. The much smaller Whippet belongs to the same FCI section.
Temperament
Remarkable stamina, intelligent, gentle, affectionate and even-tempered: that is the standard’s summary. Indoors, this is usually a quiet housemate seeking closeness without being intrusive. Outdoors, it remains a sight hunter reacting lightning-fast to distant movement.
Exercise and activities
Calm lead walks and regular sprints in a fenced area suit it well. Hunting drive often limits off-lead freedom to places without wildlife or cats. Coursing or club racing provides appropriate activity, after which it is surprisingly undemanding at home.
Grooming
The fine, short coat needs little care but provides little warmth. A winter coat is sensible, along with a thickly padded bed for bony joints. Teeth deserve more attention than coat: regular brushing is particularly worthwhile.
Health
Greyhounds in McMillan and colleagues’ large British analysis lived a median 11,5 years, against 12,0 for crossbreeds. The Royal Veterinary College’s VetCompass programme examined 5.419 Greyhounds from British practices more closely. Periodontal disease was the most frequent diagnosis at 39,0 per cent; tumours were the leading cause of death at 21,5 per cent (O'Neill et al. 2019). A second VetCompass study found osteosarcoma in 0,62 per cent of Greyhounds in one year, with odds 11,9 times those of crossbreeds (O'Neill et al. 2023). The authors believe many dogs were former racers. If an older Greyhound limps without an obvious cause, seek prompt veterinary assessment.
Who is a Greyhound right for?
Quiet homes wanting a large, gentle, low-maintenance dog, with access to secure running areas and room for a large bed. Also first-time owners who account for hunting instinct from the beginning.
Who is it less suitable for?
Homes with cats or small pets unless compatibility has been carefully assessed, anyone wanting off-lead freedom everywhere, and people seeking a watchdog.
Check whether a large sighthound fits your daily life in the breed quiz, or thoroughly in our book “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For starting with a puppy, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. Find your Greyhound as a picture in our dog portraits, in a wooden frame or as a digital artwork to download.
Further reading
- An older dog, new rules: giving your senior their best years
- Leaving your dog alone: learning without drama (step by step)
- Calculating your dog’s food allowance: how much your dog really needs
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 158 Greyhound (fci.be, English version dated 06.10.2026; no German version published); O'Neill DG et al., Greyhounds under general veterinary care in the UK during 2016: demography and common disorders, Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 2019; O'Neill DG et al., Dog breeds and conformations predisposed to osteosarcoma in the UK: a VetCompass study, Canine Medicine and Genetics 2023; McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024.
The links to our books are affiliate links. Buying through them supports us at no extra cost to you.
