Greyhound Breed Information | Doggie Matchmaker

With his long, sleek frame and incredible speed, the greyhound (a.k.a. English greyhound) holds a place of his own in the dog world. Graceful and dignified, tall and serene, he is sure to turn heads on the street. The greyhound is an ancient breed associated with aristocrats and royalty. Built for the hunt, this athletic sighthound is the fastest of all the dog breeds, reaching an average of 40mph within a mere 6 strides. Controversial to many, the greyhound is raced for sport due to his natural skill on the track.

Standing approximately 27 to 30 inches, the greyhound is a trim breed typically weighing between 60 and 70 lbs. An unlimited variety of options are available in coat including brindle, spotted, and solid patterns in shades of red, white, fawn, blue, and black. The smooth greyhound does not have an undercoat and so may be less likely to trigger allergies in people. His fine coat and minimal amount of fat make him unable to tolerate cold, so owners should be sensitive to his temperature.

The greyhound is calm and quiet in temperament, seldom barking, and rarely aggressive. Many owners compare the greyhound to a cat due to his reserved and independent nature. He is both devoted and intelligent, preferring a restful home with set routine. Despite his speed, the greyhound does not need excessive amounts of exercise. He should be allowed a good run several times a week, but more often than not he is content to curl up in a soft place. He is peaceful with most other dogs if properly socialized, but due to his strong prey instinct he may want to chase other small pets. Caution and training will be needed to ensure the safety of cats and other small animals in the home.

As with all breeds, the characteristics and traits of the greyhound affect his training needs. A sensitive dog, the greyhound responds best to a soft-spoken voice and gentle hand. Praise and rewards will motivate more than correction. With this in mind, here is what you should focus on in training:

Independent Nature – The greyhound’s independent nature is part of what makes him unique, and can be appealing to many prospective owners. In training, however, this may sometimes translate into a “what’s in it for me?” attitude in your pup. Let your dog know that he must be obedient whether he wants to or not through absolute consistency.

Timidity – Due to his naturally reserved personality, the greyhound will need proper socialization to keep him from becoming too timid. Let your pup experience many new people and places, taking him with you on excursions and introducing him to animal friends.

Chasing Tendency – It is in the greyhound’s blood to chase small, quick moving objects, so teaching him basic obedience commands like leave it, come, and stay are crucial to gaining control when your dog wants to run. The more obedient your dog is at home, the more obedient he will be when a squirrel runs past him at the park, so take the time to train your dog well. If you have small pets in your home, you must teach your greyhound to leave them alone to ensure a peaceful co-existence. Because of this innate desire to chase, the greyhound should not be allowed off leash unless in a fenced in enclosure. A dog moving away from you at 40mph is impossible to catch, so keep your dog safe through this simple precaution.

Greyhounds typically live between 10-12 years, giving their owners many years of loyal companionship. They are overall a healthy breed, but can be susceptible to bone cancer (Osteosarcoma), bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus), and skin allergies. Owners can help prevent bloat by feeding their greyhound three small meals a day rather than one large meal. Many greyhounds experience stomach upset in times of stress or abrupt change in routine. For this reason overly loud, active homes may not be suited to the greyhound. Because of their slender, thin frame, greyhounds may also develop skin sores from lying on hard surfaces. Adequate bedding should eliminate this concern.

A dog is a long-term commitment and should never be picked based on trend, popularity, or appearance alone. With that in mind, let’s take a look at this lovely breed in fashion.

With his slender physique and aristocratic pride, the greyhound exudes sophistication. He brings a touch of elegance with him wherever he goes, gracing those around him with his exquisite style.

Prince Albert and Queen Victoria favored this breed in the mid-1800s, naming their favorite pet greyhound Eos. Owners of this breed today include Bo Derek (actress), J.K. Rowling (writer), Todd McKenney (entertainer), and Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones drummer).

If you have come to the conclusion that the greyhound is your perfect match – congratulations! It is a truly unique and gorgeous breed. I offer you these suggestions as inspiration in your search for the perfect name:

If you want something that lends to the elegance of the breed, perhaps Adelaide, Alice, or Eloise will do for a girl, Edmund, Alfred, or Charles for a boy.

If you want to play off the greyhound’s great speed, skip the expected Blaze, Bolt, or Bullet and go with something more unique like Vitesse (speed in French) for a girl or Bon Vent (Godspeed in French) for a boy.