Greyhound

Sighthounds, or dogs that rely on sight to chase rather than scent, were one of the first types of dogs bred by humans, and Greyhounds are the gold standard in the category. They have been depicted in paintings as far back as ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Roman times. They became well-established in Britain and valued by both commoners and nobility. 

In 1014, laws prevented Greyhound dogs from being kept near royal forests by everyone except the nobility, and that law was enforced for over 400 years. They adapted, becoming the sporting dogs we know them today. Early immigrants to America brought Greyhounds with them and their fate was sealed as track racers in the early 20th century. 

Steel yourself for a ton of patience and a good sense of humor as the Greyhound dog breed can be silly and as hard to settle as a toddler on a sugar high. They are sprinters, not stamina runners, so they need access to a secure outdoor space where they can do their short sprints several times a day. They’re not great at training, so you’ll almost certainly have a learning curve when training your Greyhound.

It’s a contradiction, but the world’s most athletic dogs don’t need a ton of sustained exercise. Two short runs a day usually suffice to tire the Greyhound dog breed out. They’re known as 40mph couch potatoes, relying on fast sprints, not long walks. It’s not advised to let them off leash because they love to chase things and have an overall aloof attitude towards training.

For such a large dog, a Greyhound doesn’t need much space as they are happy to laze around on a comfy sofa. They need access to a secure outdoor space to get running time in, though.

Greyhound dog owners have won the grooming lottery—the Greyhound’s short, fine coat needs an occasional brush-over and that’s about it.

Greyhound dogs don’t love training. They can learn to walk on a leash and sit and lie down, but dog training is low on their priority list. They might chase small animals and cats and should be trained to get along with cats in the household if they exist.

These affectionate, relaxed, and overall quiet dogs make excellent family dogs on the whole, although more boisterous or chaotic households might make Greyhounds anxious.

The cost of a Greyhound from a breeder is significantly higher than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.