Conformation, care, and health
The Greyhound is easily recognized. He varies in height from 26-30 inches and in weight from 60-90 pounds. He can be any color from white to black, including fawn, gray, red, or brown, and any pattern from solid to pinto to brindle.
He has a deep chest for great heart and lung capacity, slender legs for speed and agility, and well-developed muscles for endurance. He has a slender head with wide nostrils for more effective breathing while running. His ears are small and folded over when he's racing or at rest and tend to stand upright when he's alert. His dark eyes reveal a gentle, intelligent soul.
His feet are tough, cat-like, and well-suited to swift pursuit over rough terrain.
The Greyhound has a soft, fine, short coat that sheds little and needs only an occasional rubdown. However, his thin skin tears easily, so daily once-overs are a good idea.
His deep chest makes him susceptible to bloat, a serious condition that should always be treated as an emergency, for it can lead to death within minutes. He is sensitive to some anesthesias and flea treatments. His light bones may be brittle, leaving him susceptible to fractures. Although show Greyhounds have some incidence of hip dysplasia, the condition seems to be absent in racing Greyhounds.