Greyhound

The Greyhound is the fastest dog breed, capable of reaching 45 mph. Despite their racing reputation, they are gentle, quiet couch potatoes at home—making them surprisingly excellent apartment companions.

One of the oldest breeds, Greyhounds appear in ancient Egyptian tombs dating to 2900 BC. Bred for coursing game, they later became racing dogs. Today, thousands of retired racers find loving homes as pets. AKC recognized in 1885.

A tall, lean, aerodynamic dog with a deep chest, flexible spine, and long, powerful legs. Their narrow head and rose ears give them a distinctive profile. Short, smooth coat in many colors.

Gentle, quiet, and affectionate, the Greyhound is often called a "40-mph couch potato." They are calm indoors and love to sleep. Despite their athletic ability, they are low-energy at home and make wonderful, easy companions.

Gentle and non-aggressive with everyone. Generally good with other dogs, especially other sighthounds. Strong prey drive toward small running animals. Quiet and respectful with children.

Surprisingly low exercise needs for such an athletic dog. A couple of short walks daily plus occasional sprints in a fenced area are sufficient. They are sprinters, not endurance runners.

Sensitive and responsive to gentle training. They learn quickly but can be reluctant to repeat exercises. Positive reinforcement only—harsh methods will shut them down. Good at basic obedience.

Extremely low-maintenance. Weekly brushing and occasional baths. Their thin skin requires gentle handling. No special grooming needs. Regular nail, ear, and dental care.

Generally healthy but sensitive to anesthesia and certain chemicals. Bone cancer is the leading cause of death. Regular dental care is important. Their thin skin is prone to cuts and scrapes.

Do well on quality food but are not heavy eaters. Two meals daily. They can be prone to bloat, so avoid exercise near mealtime. Maintain lean body condition—you should be able to see their last few ribs.

Excellent apartment dogs—quiet, clean, and calm indoors. They need a soft bed as they have very little body fat. Must be leashed or in a fenced area outdoors. Cannot tolerate extreme cold.

Ideal for quiet households including apartments. Great for first-time owners seeking a calm, gentle companion. Good with older children. Excellent for seniors or less active individuals.

Intelligent and independent. They learn quickly and are surprisingly sensitive to their owner's emotions. Not eager to perform tricks but understand expectations well.

One of the quietest breeds. Greyhounds rarely bark and are almost silent in the home. Ideal for apartment living and noise-sensitive situations.

Light shedding. Their short, fine coat produces minimal loose hair. Weekly brushing is more than sufficient.

Greyhound rescue and adoption organizations are abundant. Many retired racing Greyhounds need homes. They typically adjust well to home life. Ask about cat and small dog testing.

Greyhound puppies are rare as most available Greyhounds are retired racers. If getting a puppy, early socialization to home environments is important as they grow quickly.

Senior Greyhounds may develop arthritis—provide supportive bedding. They are sensitive to cold, so sweaters and warm beds are essential. Monitor for bone cancer. Continue gentle daily walks.