A Greyhound as Your First Dog
Greyhounds rarely top the list when people picture a first dog, and that is a shame, because they make wonderful companions for new owners. These gentle giants are affectionate, even-tempered and far lower maintenance than most people expect. Their calm nature suits homes of every size, and they settle happily into flats as readily as houses.
Despite the racing reputation, the greyhound is a sprinter, not a marathon runner. A couple of short, brisk outings and a chance to stretch out at full speed are usually plenty. The rest of the day is spent doing what they love best: lounging. Few breeds are as relaxed indoors.
Why greyhounds suit first-time owners
If you are bringing a dog home for the first time, a greyhound gives you a great deal of dog with very little fuss.
- Calm and quiet. Most are content to sleep for much of the day and rarely bark without reason.
- Affectionate and gentle. They form strong bonds and are typically soft, sensitive and eager to please.
- Adaptable. They cope well with flat living, provided they get a proper run and steady company.
- Low grooming needs. That fine, short coat takes minutes to keep in good order.
What to keep in mind
Greyhounds think differently from retrievers and collies, and that is the key to a happy start. They are sighthounds, bred to chase by sight, so a strong prey drive is part of who they are. Reliable recall and a secure space to exercise matter from day one.
They feel the cold too, with little body fat to insulate them, so a coat in winter is sensible rather than fussy. Lead training, gentle confidence-building and a calm routine round out the picture. None of it is difficult, but it does reward an owner who understands the breed.
Specialist sighthound care from day one
At The Sighthound Guy, sighthounds are all I do. Greyhounds, whippets, lurchers, salukis, deerhounds and their crosses are the whole business, which means your dog is cared for by someone who genuinely understands the drive and sensitivity of the breed group.
I am based in NW London and serve the whole of London, with collection around Hampstead, North Finchley and Highgate and walks across Hampstead Heath. My home boarding holds a 5-star licence, number 2023-2989, and I am licensed for eight dogs, Canine First Aid certified, and fully insured and bonded. There is a 350ft secure private garden, a climate-controlled home and daily WhatsApp photo and video updates while your dog stays with me.
Every dog begins with a meet and greet and a one-night assessment, so the care fits your hound rather than the other way round.
Boarding and recall training
I offer two services for sighthounds. Boarding is a relaxed home-from-home stay with daily walks, priced per night. The Residential Recall programme is more intensive: your greyhound lives with me for a minimum of seven nights while we build the Big Six commands together, Recall, Stay, Wait, Sit, Down and Heel, so you collect a dog that is listening far better than when they arrived.
Boarding is priced by weight, with raw food included: up to 20kg is £77 a night, 20.5 to 30kg is £80, and 30.5kg and over is £83, with a minimum stay of 24 hours. The Residential Recall programme starts from £850 for a seven-night minimum.
If a greyhound is on your shortlist, I would love to help you get off to the right start. Message my assistant to arrange a meet and greet.