Greyhound health: what owners should know

Greyhounds are generally robust, but sighthounds have some well-known quirks. Their blood test values often differ from other breeds, and their low body fat affects how they handle anesthesia, so choose a vet who is familiar with sighthounds and mention the breed before any procedure. The breed is also associated with bone cancer (osteosarcoma), bloat, dental disease, pad corns and skin injuries.

Keep your Greyhound at a lean, muscled weight, protect its skin with a coat in cold or wet weather, and brush its teeth daily. See a vet quickly for any lameness that lasts more than a few days, especially swelling near a joint in an older dog, as well as a swollen belly with retching, wounds that gape open, or sudden reluctance to walk.