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.
Hanoi Pet Rescue / VAWO: Not eligible
This breed is not eligible for Hanoi Pet Rescue / VAWO.
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. Hanoi has periodically run dog-catching drives for stray/unleashed dogs in the inner districts — keep dogs leashed and registered. Microchipping not nationally mandatory but strongly recommended. Source: MARD/DAH Vietnam (mard.gov.vn).
Climate & exercise in Hanoi
Hanoi is humid subtropical (northern Vietnam) with four seasons — hot humid summer (May–September, 30–39°C, heavy rain), a short pleasant autumn (Oct–Nov), a cool-to-cold winter (December–February, 10–20°C, occasional dips below 12°C with cold drizzle "mua phun"), and a humid spring (Mar–Apr); far more seasonal variation than tropical HCMC. summer (May–Sep): walk before 7:30am or after 6:30pm — midday heat + humidity is dangerous; winter (Dec–Feb): daytime walks are comfortable but small/short-coated dogs (and puppies/seniors) need a coat on cold drizzly days below ~15°C. Hanoi's four-season climate means care shifts through the year: summer (May–September) brings HCMC-level heat + humidity where midday exercise is dangerous for brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldog, Pug, Shih Tzu), while the cool-to-cold winter (December–February) is comfortable for walks but cold drizzly spells warrant a coat for small or short-coated dogs. Year-round parasite prevention and annual rabies vaccination (a legal requirement under Decree 90/2017/ND-CP) remain non-negotiable — any animal bite in Vietnam requires immediate medical attention and post-exposure prophylaxis.
Parasite prevention
Plan for year-round heartworm prevention recommended (mosquitoes active most of the year; risk lower in the coolest winter weeks but do not lapse); tick-borne disease (Ehrlichia canis, Babesia, Hepatozoon canis) high risk, Rhipicephalus sanguineus endemic; mange common; intestinal parasites endemic; leptospirosis risk in the summer wet season. 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. OurPetCircle 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
