Greyhound Health Issues

Yes, on the whole, a relatively healthy, hardy breed with fewer of the widespread hereditary problems that plague many popular breeds, partly because they have been bred for function (running) rather than extreme features. They are not brachycephalic, they have sound structure, and many live to 12 to 14 years. That said, the breed has several specific quirks: a notable anaesthesia sensitivity, a strong tendency to dental disease, a risk of bloat, an elevated risk of bone cancer, and some unusual normal bloodwork. None of these makes the Greyhound unhealthy, they are mostly things to be aware of and manage, and overall a Greyhound is often lower-maintenance health-wise than many breeds.

This is one of the most important Greyhound health facts, and it can be life-saving to know. Greyhounds (and sighthounds generally) metabolize certain anaesthetic drugs differently, largely because of their very low body fat (many anaesthetics redistribute into body fat, which Greyhounds barely have) and breed-specific liver metabolism. As a result, standard anaesthetic protocols and doses used for other dogs can be dangerous for a Greyhound, causing prolonged or difficult recoveries or worse. The critical takeaway: before any procedure requiring sedation or anaesthesia, from a dental cleaning to surgery, make sure your vet knows your dog is a Greyhound and uses a sighthound-appropriate protocol. Most vets are aware, but it is always worth confirming, and a strong reason to choose a vet experienced with the breed. This single piece of knowledge is one of the most valuable things a Greyhound owner can carry.

Yes, dental disease is one of the most common health issues in Greyhounds. The breed is prone to significant tartar buildup, gum disease, and tooth loss, and retired racers in particular often arrive with poor dental health from their track diet and life, which is why reputable Greyhound rescues typically include a dental cleaning in intake vetting. Left unmanaged, dental disease causes pain and the bacteria can affect the heart and other organs. Prevention is straightforward: brush the teeth regularly (ideally daily) with dog toothpaste, provide appropriate dental chews, and keep up with professional cleanings under anaesthesia as your vet recommends (using the sighthound protocol). Starting and maintaining a dental-care routine is one of the highest-impact things a Greyhound owner can do.

Both are real risks worth knowing. As a large, deep-chested breed, the Greyhound is prone to bloat (GDV), a sudden, life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and can twist. Know the signs, a distended belly, unproductive retching, restlessness, drooling, distress, treat them as an immediate emergency requiring a rush to a Vancouver emergency vet, and consider risk-reduction like smaller meals and, in some cases, a preventive gastropexy discussed with your vet. Separately, Greyhounds have an elevated risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer), one of the more common serious diseases in the breed, often presenting as lameness or a painful swelling on a leg; any persistent limping or bony swelling warrants prompt assessment. Neither should deter you from the breed, they are things to act on quickly if signs appear, and prompt attention makes a real difference with both.

A genuinely important quirk to understand, because it can cause unnecessary alarm. Greyhounds (and sighthounds) naturally have several blood values that fall outside the normal reference ranges used for typical dogs, and these are perfectly normal for the breed, not signs of disease. Greyhounds typically have a higher red blood cell count and hematocrit (built to carry oxygen for sprinting), and often lower platelet counts, lower white blood cell counts, and different thyroid and protein values. A vet unfamiliar with sighthounds might see these and worry, or misdiagnose, when they are breed-normal. The takeaway: make sure your vet knows your dog is a Greyhound so they interpret bloodwork against sighthound reference ranges, and if a result looks off, ask whether it might simply be breed-normal before pursuing further testing. Choosing a vet experienced with the breed avoids a lot of unnecessary worry and testing.

Worth considering, though the breed's general hardiness makes it less critical than for a very health-intensive breed. The main costs that can arise are dental care (which many need), bloat surgery, and, unfortunately, treatment for osteosarcoma if it occurs, which can be significant. Insure while the dog is young and healthy, before any condition is diagnosed and excluded, and note that many rescue Greyhounds are adopted as young adults (retired racers of two to five years), so you can still often insure them before conditions develop. Compare Canadian providers on hereditary, chronic, and cancer coverage, read the exclusions, and weigh insurance against a dedicated fund. Given moderate routine costs but the possibility of a big bill from bloat or cancer, a plan for the occasional major expense is sensible.