Health & History

Greyhounds have played many roles from noble hunting hound, pedigree sport dog, blue-collar icon, racing dog, and more recently as pet companions. The privileged position of greyhounds as prized hunting companions for more than 2000 years was transformed into sports commodity within just 150 years.  

Greyhounds have been valued historically for their hunting prowess and were selected for their ability to independently sight, chase and out manoeuvre fast moving prey such as deer, foxes and hares.  

You’ll fall in love with your greyhound because, typically, they are:  

  • DISCERNING - They're inclined to appreciate the finer things in life, like warmth and comfort. 
  • RESERVED - They are generally quiet, unobtrusive and stoic. 
  • COUCH POTATOES - Despite their athleticism, they tend to have lower exercise requirements as they’re not built for endurance.  

You might find a sight hound hard to live with because: 

  • SENSITIVE - They need time to adjust to pet life at their own pace as it’s all brand new. They’re not cut out for harsh conditions or roughhousing play. 
  • A FLIGHT RISK - Due to being historically bred as a hunting companion they have a higher desire to chase than many other breeds and need carefully introducing to cats, small breed dogs, and other animals. 
  • Greyhounds are a large breed weighing an average of 30.5 kg, although females are typically smaller than males.  
  • Greyhounds have a 270-degree range of vision; they can see objects behind them and up to 1km in front of them.  
  • They can reach speeds of up to 60 km per hour and are considered the fastest of all dog breeds.  
  • Greyhounds tend to live longer than many similar sized dogs, and have an average life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
  • Greyhounds are free from many common heritable diseases such as hip-dysplasia that affect other purebreds due to a lack of popular sires (male parent), resulting in more genetic variability. Click here for more Health information. 

Most greyhounds will have only known racing and kennels life. The change in what their new family will expect from them is huge. Here are some things from their previous life to bear in mind: 

  • They have typically lived in a rural environment.  
  • Days have a set routine; feeding and exercise occur at set times each day. 
  • They have their individual kennel space so sleep is undisturbed. 
  • They have always had other greyhounds nearby. 
  • They are handled regularly for nail clipping, examined for injuries and even massaged. 
  • They travel long distances by car, often in an enclosed trailer or crate.  
  • They are taught to chase a white fluffy lure – either made of sheepskin or a synthetic material. 
  • They are never taught to sit or lay down as that could result in a very slow start! 
Breed

You’ll fall in love with your greyhound because, typically, they are:  

  • DISCERNING - They're inclined to appreciate the finer things in life, like warmth and comfort. 
  • RESERVED - They are generally quiet, unobtrusive and stoic. 
  • COUCH POTATOES - Despite their athleticism, they tend to have lower exercise requirements as they’re not built for endurance.  

You might find a sight hound hard to live with because: 

  • SENSITIVE - They need time to adjust to pet life at their own pace as it’s all brand new. They’re not cut out for harsh conditions or roughhousing play. 
  • A FLIGHT RISK - Due to being historically bred as a hunting companion they have a higher desire to chase than many other breeds and need carefully introducing to cats, small breed dogs, and other animals. 
Fast Facts
  • Greyhounds are a large breed weighing an average of 30.5 kg, although females are typically smaller than males.  
  • Greyhounds have a 270-degree range of vision; they can see objects behind them and up to 1km in front of them.  
  • They can reach speeds of up to 60 km per hour and are considered the fastest of all dog breeds.  
  • Greyhounds tend to live longer than many similar sized dogs, and have an average life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
  • Greyhounds are free from many common heritable diseases such as hip-dysplasia that affect other purebreds due to a lack of popular sires (male parent), resulting in more genetic variability. Click here for more Health information. 
Background

Most greyhounds will have only known racing and kennels life. The change in what their new family will expect from them is huge. Here are some things from their previous life to bear in mind: 

  • They have typically lived in a rural environment.  
  • Days have a set routine; feeding and exercise occur at set times each day. 
  • They have their individual kennel space so sleep is undisturbed. 
  • They have always had other greyhounds nearby. 
  • They are handled regularly for nail clipping, examined for injuries and even massaged. 
  • They travel long distances by car, often in an enclosed trailer or crate.  
  • They are taught to chase a white fluffy lure – either made of sheepskin or a synthetic material. 
  • They are never taught to sit or lay down as that could result in a very slow start!