Greyhound
Also known as: English Greyhound
The world's fastest dog breed and an ancient sighthound - but, contrary to its athletic look, a famously gentle, quiet "45-mph couch potato" that loves to lounge. Greyhounds are calm, affectionate and surprisingly low-maintenance indoors, needing only short daily sprints and offering a dignified, companionable presence in return.
Origin and purpose
The Greyhound is one of the most ancient sighthound types, depicted in art for thousands of years and bred to course game by sight and speed. In the modern era it became the basis of dog racing, and many pet Greyhounds today are retired racers rehomed as companions.
Temperament
Breed authorities describe the Greyhound as gentle, even-tempered, quiet and affectionate — content to sleep most of the day and rarely vocal — combined with an instinctive urge to chase fast-moving things. It is sensitive and trains best with gentle methods. As for all dogs, the individual and its history shape behaviour far more than the breed (Morrill et al., Science 2022).
Health and longevity
The Greyhound has relatively few inherited disorders, but its sighthound physiology and a small number of breed-specific risks warrant attention.
Common health conditions
Living with a Greyhound in Hanoi
This section is specific to Hanoi (Department of Animal Health (DAH) / MARD). The rest of this guide applies to the breed anywhere.
VAWO / Four Paws Vietnam: Not eligible
This breed is not eligible for VAWO / Four Paws Vietnam.
Licensing
Dog registration required under Decree 90/2017/ND-CP: register with the local ward/commune People's Committee; annual rabies vaccination mandatory for registration; fine for unregistered dogs. Microchipping not nationally mandatory but strongly recommended. Source: MARD/DAH Vietnam (mard.gov.vn).
Climate & exercise in Hanoi
Hanoi is tropical monsoon; two seasons — dry (November–April, 28–35°C) and wet/rainy (May–October, heavy afternoon downpours); year-round tropical heat; no cool season; UV index extreme year-round. walk before 8am or after 6pm year-round; March–May hot-dry peak: limit walks to before 7:30am; pavement in direct sun reaches 55°C+ at midday — test with your hand before walking. HCMC's tropical climate and Vietnam's endemic rabies combine to make year-round prevention non-negotiable. Heatstroke risk is year-round for brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldog, Pug, Bulldog, Shih Tzu) — midday outdoor exercise is dangerous. Wet season (May–October) flooding creates leptospirosis risk; keep dogs away from floodwater and drainage water. Annual rabies vaccination is a legal requirement under Decree 90/2017/ND-CP — any animal bite in Vietnam requires immediate medical attention and post-exposure prophylaxis.
Parasite prevention
Plan for year-round heartworm prevention essential (Culex and Aedes mosquitoes active all 12 months; wet season May–October dramatically increases mosquito breeding habitat); tick-borne disease (Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis/gibsoni, Hepatozoon canis) high risk year-round — Rhipicephalus sanguineus endemic in HCMC residential areas; mange very common; intestinal parasites (roundworm, hookworm) endemic; monthly prevention essential. Annual rabies vaccination legally required — Vietnam is NOT rabies-free..
Cost of ownership in Hanoi
Local Greyhound cost figures for Hanoi are being verified. Budget for purchase or adoption, initial setup, food, grooming, routine veterinary care, parasite prevention and pet insurance. Figures are quoted in ₫.
Health & longevity
Responsible breeders health-test their breeding dogs. Ask to see current certificates before committing.
Nutrition note: Naturally very lean sighthound; maintain the breed's slim body condition and prioritise dental care (kibble alone is insufficient).
Known breed conditions
DNA & screening panel
Cost of ownership
FLAG: indicative Singapore estimate only — dental care and any osteosarcoma treatment can raise cost.
Registries
Sources & references
- AKC — Greyhound breed standard & traits[Breed standard / registry]
- The Kennel Club (UK) — Greyhound[Breed standard / registry]
- Merck Veterinary Manual — hereditary and breed-associated disease[Veterinary reference]
- NParks/AVS — Pets in HDB flats (approved small breeds; ≤55 cm shoulder height)[Breed standard / registry] · checked June 2026
- Morrill et al., "Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics…", Science 376 (2022) — breed ≈ 9% of behaviour[Peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA] · 2022
Source tiers: 1 = breed standard / registry authority; 2 = peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA; 3 = veterinary reference; 4 = encyclopaedic. PawHub cites only tiers 1–4 and never blogs or e-commerce pages. Behavioural traits carry low confidence — breed explains ~9% of individual behaviour variation (Morrill et al., Science 2022).
Image credits
- Image 1: Neurodoc · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Image 2: Shaz91 · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Image 3: Supreme Chungus · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
