Greyhound Overview
Origin: United Kingdom/Egypt
One of the most ancient breeds, depicted in Egyptian tombs dating to 2900 BC. Bred for coursing game by sight, the Greyhound is the fastest dog breed. In Australia, thousands of retired racing greyhounds find loving homes each year.
Ancient sighthound breed with elegant lines, incredible speed, surprising gentleness. Once exclusively bred for racing, thousands now available for adoption through Greyhound Adoption Programs (GAP) across Australia. Ex-racing Greyhounds (2–5 years old) are significantly cheaper than puppies—$200–$400 adoption fee versus $1,500+. Unexpectedly calm indoors, affectionate, adaptable to apartments despite size.
Australian Greyhound Adoption Programs in every state: GAP NSW, GAP VIC, GAP QLD, GAP SA, GAP WA, GAP TAS. Adoption strongly encouraged over breeding. Many have unknown histories but make remarkable family companions. Sensitive, gentle dogs that thrive with retired owners or those managing separation anxiety.
Suit families or individuals wanting large dogs that adapt to apartments, enjoy gentle exercise, require minimal grooming. Adoption through GAP strongly recommended. Suitable for families with children; experienced owners should understand prey drive.
Greyhound Personality & Temperament
Understanding the Greyhound temperament is the most important step before bringing one home.
Gentle, sensitive, affectionate, calm indoors | Surprising home-body behaviour; high prey drive; excellent with children (if socialised); cat/small animal aggression common; responsive to positive training; low barking; prone to separation anxiety | Excellent with children (if raised with them); problematic with small animals; low barking; moderate separation anxiety
Breed Ratings at a Glance
How the Greyhound scores across key traits (1 = Low, 5 = High).
Is a Greyhound Right for You?
✅
Apartment
Excellent; calm indoors despite size
✅
House with yard
Excellent; safe sprinting space
⚠️
First-time owner
Fair; gentle but experienced management of prey drive needed
✅
Renters
Excellent; calm, minimal damage
✅
Hot climate (QLD/NT/WA)
Good; short coat suits heat
✅
Cold climate (VIC/TAS/ACT)
Suitable; handle cool well
✅
Elderly/retired owners
Perfect; calm, gentle, ideal
⚠️
Working owners (8hrs alone)
Moderate; some separation anxiety
✅
Rural/acreage
Excellent; space for safe sprinting
✅
Active lifestyle
Good; enjoy sprint running; low daily tolerance
Separation Anxiety: Low to moderate — this breed may struggle if left alone for long periods.
Greyhound Size & Appearance
Size
Large
Weight M
30–36 kg
Weight F
27–34 kg
Height
71–76 cm
Coat
Short, smooth, fine
Colours
Any colour or combination (black, red, brindle, white, fawn, parti-color)
Variations
None
Brachycephalic
No
Hypoallergenic
No
Greyhound Health & Lifespan
🔴Critical: Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat)
Greyhound is at elevated risk of bloat (GDV), a life-threatening emergency where the stomach twists on itself. Symptoms include a distended abdomen, unproductive retching, and restlessness. Immediate veterinary intervention is essential. Discuss preventive gastropexy with your vet.
12 years
Average Lifespan
Known Health Conditions
Common in ex-racing Greyhounds. High-speed injuries.
Est. treatment: $2,000–$5,000
Life-threatening emergency. Signs: abdominal swelling, distress.
Est. treatment: $3,000–$7,000
Irregular heartbeat. Often asymptomatic but can cause collapse.
Est. treatment: $800–$2,000
Genetic eye disease causing vision loss.
Est. treatment: $1,000–$2,000
Common in older Greyhounds and ex-racing dogs.
Est. treatment: $500–$2,000/year
More common in dark-coated Greyhounds. Early removal essential.
Est. treatment: $1,500–$4,000
Recommended Health Tests:
Cardiac evaluation, ophthalmologist evaluation, thyroid panel (breed-specific ranges)
Pet Insurance for Greyhound
Avg Annual Insurance: $700
Monthly Estimate: $600–$1,200/month for ex-racers. Insurers: Bow Wow Meow, PD Insurance, Petcover. Age affects premiums.
Recommended Insurers:
• Bow Wow Meow
• PD Insurance
• Petinsurance.com.au
• Budget Direct
• Petcover
• NRMA
TIP: Insure before 6 months.
Compare insurance policies for your Greyhound
Given this breed's known health conditions, comprehensive coverage is recommended for Australian owners.
Compare Pet Insurance →
Greyhound Cost of Ownership (AUD)
| Category | Amount (AUD) |
|---|
| PURCHASE |
$200 - $1,000 |
| Food |
$2,000 |
| Vet |
$700 |
| Grooming |
$150 |
| Insurance |
$700 |
| TOTAL/yr |
$2,972 |
| Monthly |
$181 |
| LIFETIME (12 yrs) |
$35,664 |
| FIRST-YEAR EXTRAS |
$1,200–$2,200 (desexing, vax, microchip, setup, puppy school) |
$35,664
Estimated lifetime cost (12 years)
All prices in AUD. Costs vary by state, vet, and lifestyle. Sources: PetSure, RSPCA, Animal Medicines Australia.
Greyhound Grooming Guide
Frequency
Weekly
Brushing
Weekly brush; minimal grooming
Professional Cost
$40–$60
Coat
Short, smooth, fine
Shedding
★★☆☆☆/5
Tools
Slicker/pin brush, deshedding tool, nail clippers
Nails
Every 4–6 weeks | Ears: Monthly | Teeth: 2–3×/week
Greyhound Exercise Needs
Daily Exercise
45 minutes
Type
Sprint running, lure coursing, moderate walking
Energy
★★★☆☆/5
Separation Anxiety
Low to moderate
Mental Stimulation
Puzzle feeders, sniff walks, 10min training/day
Sports
Agility, flyball, scent work, swimming (breed-dependent)
Training Your Greyhound
Trainability: ★★★☆☆/5
First-Time Owner: ★★☆☆☆/5
Intelligent and eager to please, but extreme prey drive means recall is unreliable. Never off-leash except in secure parks. Early socialisation essential. Respond well to positive reinforcement. Patient, sensitive dogs that dislike harsh correction. Racing-bred Greyhounds may have unknown history.
Tips: Positive reinforcement only | Puppy school 8–12 weeks
Short 5–10min sessions | Socialise early with dogs, people, sounds
Greyhound Feeding Guide
Annual Food Cost: $2,000
2–3 cups daily, split into two meals. High-quality large-breed kibble (22–26% protein). Expect $25–$40/week. Feed 2–3 hours before vigorous exercise to avoid bloat.
Tips: Premium kibble + 2 meals/day | Monitor weight | Fresh water always
Avoid: grapes, onion, chocolate, xylitol, macadamias
Finding a Reputable Greyhound Breeder
REGISTRIES:
• ANKC (ankc.org.au)
• RightPaw (rightpaw.com.au)
• GAP in all states
GREEN FLAGS: Health tests, ANKC/RPBA reg, visits allowed, health guarantee, screens buyers
RED FLAGS: Always available, multiple breeds, no health tests, Gumtree/social media sellers, pet shops
✅ Green Flags
- Registered with ANKC, RPBA, MDBA, or RightPaw
- Invites you to visit and meet the mother (dam)
- Provides health test results for parents
- Includes vet certificate, microchip, and vaccination records
- Has a waiting list (sign of demand, not a puppy farm)
❌ Red Flags
- Multiple breeds always available with no wait
- Won't let you visit or meet the mother
- No health testing mentioned
- Price significantly below market average
- Meets in a public place instead of their property
Trusted Australian Registries:
ANKC (ankc.org.au) · RPBA (rpba.org.au) · RightPaw (rightpaw.com.au) · Dogs Australia · ACF
Adopting a Greyhound in Australia
RESCUE OPTIONS:
• GAP NSW
• GAP VIC
• GAP QLD
• GAP SA
• GAP WA
• GAP TAS
• PetRescue.com.au
• RSPCA Australia
Adoption Cost: $250–$600 AUD
(includes desexing, microchip, vaccinations)
Search PetRescue.com.au — Australia's largest adoption platform
❤️ Thousands of dogs need homes. Rescue dogs come desexed, vaccinated, and microchipped.
Greyhound — Frequently Asked Questions
Adopt or buy?
Adoption strongly recommended. GAP available in every state. Costs $200–$400 vs. $1,500+ for puppies. Thousands need homes.
How to find through GAP?
Visit GAP website for your state: GAP NSW, GAP VIC, GAP QLD, GAP SA, GAP WA, GAP TAS. Browse available dogs, apply, home assessment. 2–4 weeks typically.
Age and background?
Usually 2–5 years old with 1–4 years racing history. Background varies. GAP assesses temperament and provides full history.
Good for apartments?
Yes, surprisingly. Calm indoors, low-energy at home, adapt well despite size. Suitable for apartment dwellers with 45+ minute daily runs.
Off-leash?
No. Extreme prey drive means cats and small dogs trigger uncontrollable chase. Recall unreliable. Always use leash except secure parks.
Small animals?
No. Cats, rabbits, Guinea pigs at extreme risk. High prey drive from racing. Separate housing essential.
Insurance cost?
$600–$1,200 annually for ex-racers (Bow Wow Meow, PD Insurance, Petcover).
Lifespan?
10–13 years typical. Ex-racers may have reduced lifespan due to racing injuries.
Health issues?
Fractures, bloat, heart arrhythmias, progressive retinal atrophy, osteoarthritis, skin cancer. Veterinary assessment essential.
Separation tolerance?
Moderate. Many ex-racers handle alone time but can develop anxiety. Training and crate introduction essential.
