Greyt FAQs
You have questions about greyhounds, we have answers! Have a question that you don't see in our FAQ? Fill out our contact form.
How much do greyhounds weigh?
According to the American Kennel Club, the standard weight for males ranges from 65-70 pounds, and for females 60-65 pounds. Unlike other breeds, a greyhound's proper weight may look "thin" to strangers. This is a great article that describes how to tell when a greyhound is truly too thin, or too overweight.
How tall are greyhounds?
According to the American Kennel Club, the standard height at the shoulder for males ranges from 28-30 inches, and for females 27-28 inches.
What is the life expectancy for greyhounds?
According to the American Kennel Club, the average life expectancy for greyhounds ranges from 10-13 years. However, many have been observed living longer. A greyhound in Oklahoma lived as long as 19 years, as of 2012!
What colors / patterns do greyhounds come in?
Greyhounds come in 18 official colors, including various shades of blue (what we consider to be grey), brindle (striped), fawn, red, white, black, and ticked. The color does not determine any aspect of the greyhound's personality or health and we recommend that you choose a greyhound based on their personality and compatibility with your lifestyle and household activity level, as opposed to their looks!
Can greyhounds thrive in Michiana with our cold winters?
While it is true that greyhounds have short coats and relatively low body fat, with a few minor accommodations they can absolutely thrive in Michiana, no matter the season. Greyt Angels' large network of foster families, adoptees, and volunteers know of and successfully use various different coats, booties, snoods, and other cold-weather supplies for greyhounds. We would be glad to talk to you about them and find a good solution for you and your hound(s)!
What are some good resources to learn more about greyhounds?
You will find that the greyhound community is passionate, large, and more than willing to share information. As such, there are numerous online and physical resources you could use to do your own, independent research on the breed. Several online communities that are full of information include Greytalk, Greytalk on Facebook, and the r/Greyhounds subreddit.
We primarily recommend checking out two books: Adopting the Racing Greyhound by Cynthia A. Branigan, and Retired Racing Greyhounds For Dummies® by Lee Livingood. These two books really are the "gold standard" in terms of comprehensive, useful information about the breed from track life to post-adoption. Greyt Angels often has donated editions of both of these books available that we are happy to give out upon request.
What are lurchers?
Most of the retired racers that Greyt Angels works with are purebred greyhounds. However, we occasionally receive lurchers into our care, which are greyhounds or other sighthounds—such as whippets, Italian greyhounds, borzois, Irish wolfhounds, just to name a few—crossed with another dog breed, often working breeds like collies or large scent hounds like coonhounds. The information in this FAQ applies primarily to purebred greyhounds.
Lurchers can differ from greyhounds in size, appearance, health, life expectancy, and temperament. Sometimes the differences are small—for instance, many of the lurchers we have worked with are smaller than standard greyhounds—but other times they can be more significant. For instance, lurchers that are part working breed may have much higher activity levels than your average greyhound. Regardless, all lurchers have the potential to make just as "greyt" family pets if you are willing to understand, accept, and work with their unique traits!
How much do greyhounds weigh?
According to the American Kennel Club, the standard weight for males ranges from 65-70 pounds, and for females 60-65 pounds. Unlike other breeds, a greyhound's proper weight may look "thin" to strangers. This is a great article that describes how to tell when a greyhound is truly too thin, or too overweight.
How tall are greyhounds?
According to the American Kennel Club, the standard height at the shoulder for males ranges from 28-30 inches, and for females 27-28 inches.
What is the life expectancy for greyhounds?
According to the American Kennel Club, the average life expectancy for greyhounds ranges from 10-13 years. However, many have been observed living longer. A greyhound in Oklahoma lived as long as 19 years, as of 2012!
What colors / patterns do greyhounds come in?
Greyhounds come in 18 official colors, including various shades of blue (what we consider to be grey), brindle (striped), fawn, red, white, black, and ticked. The color does not determine any aspect of the greyhound's personality or health and we recommend that you choose a greyhound based on their personality and compatibility with your lifestyle and household activity level, as opposed to their looks!
Can greyhounds thrive in Michiana with our cold winters?
While it is true that greyhounds have short coats and relatively low body fat, with a few minor accommodations they can absolutely thrive in Michiana, no matter the season. Greyt Angels' large network of foster families, adoptees, and volunteers know of and successfully use various different coats, booties, snoods, and other cold-weather supplies for greyhounds. We would be glad to talk to you about them and find a good solution for you and your hound(s)!
What are some good resources to learn more about greyhounds?
You will find that the greyhound community is passionate, large, and more than willing to share information. As such, there are numerous online and physical resources you could use to do your own, independent research on the breed. Several online communities that are full of information include Greytalk, Greytalk on Facebook, and the r/Greyhounds subreddit.
We primarily recommend checking out two books: Adopting the Racing Greyhound by Cynthia A. Branigan, and Retired Racing Greyhounds For Dummies® by Lee Livingood. These two books really are the "gold standard" in terms of comprehensive, useful information about the breed from track life to post-adoption. Greyt Angels often has donated editions of both of these books available that we are happy to give out upon request.
What are lurchers?
Most of the retired racers that Greyt Angels works with are purebred greyhounds. However, we occasionally receive lurchers into our care, which are greyhounds or other sighthounds—such as whippets, Italian greyhounds, borzois, Irish wolfhounds, just to name a few—crossed with another dog breed, often working breeds like collies or large scent hounds like coonhounds. The information in this FAQ applies primarily to purebred greyhounds.
Lurchers can differ from greyhounds in size, appearance, health, life expectancy, and temperament. Sometimes the differences are small—for instance, many of the lurchers we have worked with are smaller than standard greyhounds—but other times they can be more significant. For instance, lurchers that are part working breed may have much higher activity levels than your average greyhound. Regardless, all lurchers have the potential to make just as "greyt" family pets if you are willing to understand, accept, and work with their unique traits!