Greyhound

Like every breed, the Greyhound is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:

• Use reward-based training to help you and your dog understand each other.
• Train a recall, but do not rely on it: keep your Greyhound on the lead except in a fully enclosed area.
• Teach sit and down on a soft surface.
• Socialise puppies well, including carefully with smaller pets.
• Some Greyhounds need to wear a muzzle when out to stop them catching small animals.

• Children

  Often good with children, with supervision.

• Other dogs

  Usually sociable with other dogs.

• Cats and small pets

  Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals.

• Flats and smaller homes

  Usually needs a roomy home.

• Garden

  A secure garden is strongly advised.

• Being left alone

  Usually copes only with short periods alone.

• First-time owners

  Often suits first-time owners.

Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.

• Greyhound neuropathy (GN)

  An inherited disease of the nerves that causes muscle wastage. A DNA test is available, and the Royal Kennel Club recommends it as part of best-practice health testing.

• Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV)

  Often called bloat, this is when the stomach twists and traps its contents and gas. It is an emergency that needs urgent veterinary attention and is often seen in large, deep-chested breeds.

• Dental disease

  Greyhounds can be prone to periodontal disease, an infection and inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth, which can lead to decay and tooth loss.

• Osteosarcoma

  A serious type of bone cancer.

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

  A gradual deterioration of the retina, which can start with night blindness and progress to total blindness.

• Von Willebrand's disease

  A blood clotting disorder that can lead to excessive bleeding.

• Malignant hyperthermia

  A serious disorder causing a sudden rise in body temperature and muscle rigidity. Overheating and rigid paralysis can sometimes follow exercise.

• Dilated cardiomyopathy

  A condition in which the heart muscle becomes progressively weak and cannot beat properly.

Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Greyhound home, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
• Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
• Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
• Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.

There are two costs: bringing a Greyhound home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.

Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 10 years, not just the first year.

If you have decided the Greyhound suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.

• Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
• Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
• Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
• Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.

Greyhounds do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.

Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.