Tall, slim and built for speed, greyhounds are well known for their athleticism. Even today, many greyhounds are bred for dog racing and so many pet greyhounds are ex-racing dogs. The intensity of the exercise seen at greyhound races might concern some owners wondering if they can give a pet greyhound the exercise they need. So today we will ask how much exercise a pet greyhound really needs, as well as detail some of their common health conditions, so you can determine if they are the right dog for you.

Table of contents

Why Are Greyhounds So Athletic?

We thought it would be interesting to first discuss what makes greyhounds so good at running, to help understand your dog better. Humans bred greyhounds initially as hunting dogs to chase other animals. This may explain why they are reported to have a high drive to chase even now. They subsequently became popular to race, and a whole industry has developed in breeding and racing these dogs. Thus, humans who bred these dogs for sport tended to select for traits that favoured fast running, quick bursts of energy and endurance. As a result of this selective breeding, greyhounds have a number of unique traits.

Build

Firstly, a greyhound’s overall build is ideal for running. They tend to be slim and light, meaning they have less weight to carry, but have very large muscles compared to other dogs. In fact, the hindleg muscle can make up 18% of their body weight and the back muscles 12%. Certain leg and hip muscles are also longer than in standard-breed dogs; which researchers believe gives greyhounds more power and faster acceleration.

Heart and Blood

We know from studies and examination in vet clinics that the cardiovascular system of greyhounds differs in some ways to other dogs. 

A study analysing the hearts of greyhounds found that they have larger heart to body size ratio compared to other dogs. This results in larger heart muscle and associated increases in the contractility of their hearts. This allows greyhounds to pump blood to their muscles more effectively than other dogs. 

Greyhound blood is also specialised when compared to other dogs. They often have a higher concentration of red blood cells in the blood. This means a greater oxygen carrying capacity to provide muscles with energy when exercising. Their red blood cells are also larger and contain more haemoglobin (the part of the red blood cell responsible for carrying oxygen). There is also evidence their haemoglobin is better able to bond to oxygen than haemoglobin of other dogs; again increasing oxygen transporting efficiency to the muscles.  

Muscle Structure

Muscles are made up of individual muscle fibres that contract as a unit to move the body. There are different types of muscle fibres that work best for different tasks. 

  • Type I fibres contract slowly but also tire slowly, making them better for endurance. 
  • Type IIx fibres contract faster than type I fibres, but also tire more quickly, making them better for short sprints. 
  • Type IIa fibres are somewhere in the middle

Studies have shown that dogs tend to have predominantly type IIa fibres, meaning they can manage short sprints and long distance equally well. However, research has also shown that greyhounds have the highest numbers of type IIa fibres of all dogs, but very low type I fibres compared to other dogs, indicating their specialty in rapid movement and sprinting. 

One study also analysed the oxidative capacity, or how good muscles were at producing energy for muscles from oxygen. The study found greyhounds were among dogs with the highest oxidative capacity, which may prolong endurance. Similar markers measuring how well muscles produce energy without oxygen were also high in greyhounds. All these findings indicate that although greyhounds are specialised in rapid movement and sprinting, they also have a decent capacity for endurance too, despite having less type I muscle fibres. 

How Much Exercise Does a Pet Greyhound Really Need?

So how much exercise does a greyhound need – are they impractical for the average owner who needs to work? Well, if we look at what greyhounds are bred and specialised for, this may not be the case. Many breed websites recommend up to an hour of exercise daily, ideally split into two. However, this should be high intensity, like running or sprinting, rather than a simple walk. With their prey drive they might also like to chase balls, Frisbees or similar objects. This doesn’t mean greyhounds won’t like to go for walks, and swimming is also frequently recommended. Gentler exercise when time allows helps keep the muscles strong and maintain flexibility, while being lower impact on the joints than sprinting.

Variety is important for any dog to keep their lives interesting but do also keep things relatively consistent to avoid stress. For example, you might have a schedule of one day of short sprinting sessions, one of gentler walking or swimming, and then rotate. 

You should always take your individual dog’s needs into account, of course. For example, greyhound puppies often have a lot of energy to burn off, and might like multiple runs a day, but also need many hours of sleep a day to de-stress, grow and recover. Older greyhounds or those with long-term injuries may struggle to sprint, so would prefer longer gentler walking or swims. 

In the end, however, you will learn what your greyhound prefers, and there will be variance. As long as your greyhound is happy, keeps their strong muscled legs and does not become overweight, their exercise level is likely appropriate. Please speak to your vet if you are unsure how much exercise your greyhound needs. 

Osteoarthritis

A majority of dogs will develop osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, as they age, and greyhounds are no exception. Stress on the joints, associated injuries, inflammation elsewhere in the body, and natural degeneration leads to degradation of the cartilage protecting the joints. This results in painful rubbing of the bones, further damage and loss of joint mobility. Osteoarthritis cannot be treated, only managed. 

Perhaps in part due to high levels of intense exercise, greyhounds are prone to developing arthritis. To prevent and slow down its progression, keep exercise consistent and appropriate for their age, avoid obesity, prevent injuries to the joints and ensure their diet is complete. Should your greyhound start to show any symptoms of arthritis, such as muscle wastage, pain when walking, inactivity, or slowing down on walks, please speak to your vet. 

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

Intervertebral disc disease is not uncommon in greyhounds (though other breeds are more predisposed) and can result in life-changing paresis or paralysis. As some dogs age, the intervertebral discs that cushion the spine will become less flexible. This can result in a slow bulge (type II) or traumatic rupture (type I) of the disc. Above the discs lie the nerves of the spinal cord, meaning any damage to the disc can damage the cord itself. This can result in pain, weakness or paralysis of the body after the point of damage and incontinence. In some cases, damage can occur due to excessive strenuous exercise (such as twisting or jumping), but it can occur with no obvious warning too.

IVDD should be addressed immediately if your dog becomes paralysed, painful, or develops sudden weakness, as the longer the dog goes without treatment, the less chance there is of recovery. IVDD often requires CT and MRI scans to diagnose, though presumptive diagnosis can be made on a clinical examination. Mild cases can be managed with cage rest and pain relief, but severe paralysis often requires surgery to remove the damaged disc material. A complete recovery is not always guaranteed. 

Are There Any Other Health Issues Greyhounds Commonly Have?

Dental Disease

Periodontal disease is the most common form; the condition where food particles and bacteria get trapped on the teeth and form colonies called plaque, particularly at the gumline. These plaque colonies start to damage the teeth and gums, causing inflammation, pain, gum recession, root damage, infection and even tooth loss. Once established, periodontal disease can only be treated with dental surgery, sometimes requiring tooth extraction. Luckily, it can be prevented with routine dental care, particularly daily brushing of your dog’s teeth. Greyhounds are one of the breeds most prone to dental disease, with up to 39% of dogs being affected. 

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus

Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) is a serious emergency describing how the stomach starts to fill with air or fluid like a balloon, and twists around itself. The condition can be extremely painful, resulting in loss of circulation to the stomach and nearby spleen, stomach rupture, sepsis and even death. Large breed dogs with deep chests, including greyhounds, are predisposed to this condition. It may also be linked to diet, exercise and concurrent GI disease. Treatment must be rapid, with intravenous fluids, pain relief, stomach decompression and antibiotics often needed. Most cases of GDV require surgery to correct the stomach’s orientation, remove damaged tissue, and fix the stomach in place to prevent it recurring. 

Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcomas are a nasty form of bone cancer that, sadly, older greyhounds can be prone to, particularly males. It mostly occurs in the long bones of the legs, though can occur in other bones too. This form of cancer is aggressive, spreading deep into the bones and around the body. Symptoms often start with mild lameness, which can easily be mistaken for old-age arthritis, but can progress to worse lameness, swelling, coughing or difficulties breathing and other associated disease. Some of these cancers can be managed with surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. But sadly these tend to be palliative, and many dogs will die only months after diagnosis. 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is an ocular condition that describes the gradual loss of vision due to degeneration of the retina (the light-sensitive tissue of the back of the eye). This is a genetic disease with no known treatment. Dogs with this condition will start to become more and more hard of vision, and often become completely blind. Vets can diagnose this with an ocular exam. A dog that develops PRA can have a relatively normal life, provided their owner can manage the dog’s blindness. Genetic tests are available for at risk dogs, including greyhounds, which can predict if they might develop PRA, as well as if it is safe to breed from them or not

Further Reading: