English Greyhound – The World's Fastest Dog That Loves Your Sofa

Imagine a dog that can reach a speed of 72 kilometres per hour — faster than most city traffic. Then imagine that same dog spending the entire day lying on your sofa, not barking, not destroying furniture, and being as gentle with children as a soft toy. It sounds impossible. But that is the English Greyhound — perhaps the most paradoxical and fascinating breed in the dog world. An athlete who is only an athlete when it chooses to be, and a family companion that is simultaneously one of the calmest dogs you will ever find. If you have ever considered a Greyhound as a pet — this guide is for you. Ancient Origins and History The English Greyhound, also known simply as the Greyhound, is one of the oldest known dog breeds that can be traced back over 4,000 years. It was bred for coursing, hunting, and racing. Cedarvetclinic Its likeness appears on Egyptian tombs dating from around 3000 BCE. Greyhounds — and possibly Mastiffs — were the first known European dogs to arrive in the Americas, accompanying Christopher Columbus on his second expedition in 1493. ASPCA Throughout the centuries the Greyhound was a symbol of aristocracy and nobility. It is mentioned in the Bible, in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and in Shakespeare's Henry V. According to some accounts it was the favourite breed of Alexander the Great. In England it was long a privilege of the nobility — by law commoners were forbidden from owning a Greyhound as it was considered a symbol of high status. Temperament — The Great Surprises The Greyhound is the fastest dog in the world with a top speed of almost 45 mph, but outside of the racetrack it is a total couch potato and makes an amazing family pet. It has a gentle, calm temperament and is surprisingly laid-back for such an athletic dog. Cedarvetclinic This is perhaps the most common surprise that Greyhound owners report — they expected a hyperactive athlete and received a calm, dignified dog that enjoys lying down and observing the world. Greyhounds tend to be outgoing, happy and sociable with people and seem to relish human contact, even following owners from room to room — known colloquially as being a Velcro dog. Banfield Pet Hospital A 2008 University of Pennsylvania study found that Greyhounds are one of the least aggressive dog breeds towards strangers, owners, and other dogs. Banfield Pet Hospital This makes them excellent family dogs particularly for households with children. Appearance — Aerodynamics in Living Form Greyhounds are characterised by a tall, muscular, smooth-coated build, a long tail, tough feet, and a distinctive flexible S-shaped outline typical of sighthounds. The long legs, deep chest, flexible spine, and slim build enable high sprinting speeds. Banfield Pet Hospital A male Greyhound often stands around 68 to 76 centimetres at the shoulder while females may be slightly smaller. Males typically weigh between 30 and 40 kilograms and females between 27 and 34 kilograms. Pumpkin The coat is short, smooth, and easy to maintain. They come in a wide range of colours including white, fawn, red, grey, brindle, and black. Exercise — Less Than You Might Think This is another major surprise for prospective owners. Despite its great athletic ability the Greyhound is quite happy to spend most of the day sleeping. The dog does not have a lot of endurance and actually requires less exercise time than most dogs. Poolervet The Greyhound needs a fenced area where it can sprint at least once a day. This should be supplemented by at least one long and two short walks on a standard leash, and Greyhounds should not be let off the lead since they tend to chase small animals and may not return. ASPCA Adopting a Retired Racing Greyhound One of the most beautiful stories in the pet world is the story of retired racing Greyhounds. Most Greyhounds retire from racing between three and five years of age, so they are still relatively young dogs with a long life ahead of them. Pumpkin Greyhounds are as good with children as any dog breed and better than most because of their characteristic gentleness. They have been around people all of their lives and are usually very people-oriented. PetPlace Adopting a retired racing Greyhound is one of the most rewarding decisions a dog lover can make — you gain an adult dog with a formed personality who is grateful for a second chance at life. Care and Health Greyhounds do not have undercoats and thus are less likely to trigger dog allergies in humans. The lack of an undercoat coupled with a general lack of body fat also makes Greyhounds more susceptible to extreme temperatures and they must be housed inside. Banfield Pet Hospital The short coat requires minimal maintenance — weekly brushing with a soft brush is entirely sufficient. Due to their extremely thin skin and absence of body fat a Greyhound must have soft resting surfaces as pressure sores can develop easily. Special attention should be paid to dental health as the breed is prone to gum disease. A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 11.5 years for the breed. Banfield Pet Hospital Find verified Greyhound breeders and retired racing Greyhound adoption organisations on PetFriendsForever. 🐾