How much exercise does a Greyhound need?
Daily exercise minutes, the activities a Greyhound enjoys and signs of too much or too little.
Two walks of 20 to 30 minutes each, plus an occasional supervised sprint in a securely fenced field, meet the needs of most adult Greyhounds. Many are happy with less on rainy days. They enjoy sniffing new routes, gentle ball games and lure coursing, which lets them chase a mechanical lure safely.
Recall is the weak point. A Greyhound that sees a squirrel or cat may reach full speed before it has processed your voice, and at 70 km/h it can cross a road in seconds. Keep yours on a lead in unfenced areas unless you are absolutely sure of the setting. Warning signs of overdoing it include heavy panting that does not ease after 10 minutes, stiffness the next morning and reluctance to get up.
Greyhound exercise in numbers
Activity ranges are editorial planning estimates. The five-minutes-per-month puppy rule lacks scientific evidence. Adapt activity to the individual and seek advice for pain or exercise difficulty. PDSA puppy exercise guidance.
Editorial activity estimate
30 to 60 min
Puppy activity
Individual plan
adapt to age, health and development
Senior activity
Individual plan
adapt to comfort and ability
Size
large
25 to 34 kg
Energy level
Playfulness
Handles heat
Handles cold