What are the main health problems in Greyhounds?

Greyhounds are, in many respects, a fairly healthy and sound breed (they are athletic, purpose-bred dogs, and, unlike many popular breeds, are relatively free of some common issues like hip dysplasia), and they typically live around 10 to 14 years. However, they do have some characteristic health considerations, several of them breed-specific and important for owners (and their vets) to know about. The most important are: dental disease, Greyhounds are notably prone to dental problems (poor dental health is very common in the breed), so dental care is genuinely important (covered below); bloat / gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening emergency that deep-chested breeds like the Greyhound are at risk of, and every owner must know the signs (covered below); certain cancers, notably osteosarcoma (bone cancer), which the Greyhound has an elevated lifetime risk of, and other cancers (covered below); and the breed's unusual physiology and anesthesia sensitivity, Greyhounds have a genuinely unusual physiology (lean body, low body fat, different normal bloodwork values, thin skin, and sensitivity to certain anesthetics and drugs) that owners and vets must be aware of (covered below). Greyhounds are also very cold-sensitive (the thin coat and low body fat, not a disease but a real welfare consideration, especially in Montreal, see the adoption guide) and can be prone to thin-skin injuries and, from their bony build, pressure sores (hence the need for soft bedding). For owners, the practical health priorities are: take dental care seriously (a genuine breed priority); know the signs of bloat and act immediately; be aware of the cancer (especially osteosarcoma) risk and watch for signs (like lameness or lumps); ensure your veterinarian is aware of the breed's unusual physiology and anesthesia sensitivity (important before any procedure); protect the cold-sensitive dog (a winter coat in Montreal); provide soft bedding; and maintain good routine veterinary care. Many Greyhounds, being generally sound, live healthy lives, but the breed-specific issues (dental, bloat, cancer, physiology/anesthesia) are genuinely important to understand. For an adopted Greyhound (often a retired racer), the adoption group typically does a thorough vet work-up (often including dental) before placement, and can tell you the dog's health status. Overall, the Greyhound is a fairly healthy, sound breed with a normal lifespan, but its notable dental issues, bloat risk, elevated cancer (osteosarcoma) risk, and, importantly, its unusual physiology and anesthesia sensitivity are the key health considerations, and a vet familiar with Greyhounds (or made aware of the breed's quirks) is valuable.

Why are Greyhounds prone to dental problems?

Greyhounds are notably prone to dental disease, poor dental health is genuinely common in the breed, and dental care is one of the most important, and sometimes overlooked, aspects of keeping a Greyhound healthy. The breed seems predisposed to periodontal (gum) disease, tartar buildup, and dental problems, and, in retired racing Greyhounds in particular, dental disease is very often already present at adoption (racing dogs' dental care during their racing lives was often limited, and their diet and other factors contribute), which is why reputable Greyhound adoption groups very commonly perform a dental cleaning (and any needed extractions) as part of the veterinary work-up before placing a dog. Dental disease is not just a cosmetic or "bad breath" issue: advanced periodontal disease causes pain, can lead to tooth loss, and can affect overall health, so it genuinely matters for the dog's comfort and wellbeing. The good news is that dental care is very much within your control, and staying on top of it is one of the most valuable things a Greyhound owner does. The mainstays are: regular tooth brushing at home (ideally daily or several times a week, using dog-specific toothpaste), which is the single most effective preventive measure; dental chews and dental-supportive diets as helpful additions; and regular professional dental cleanings under anesthesia at the vet as needed over the dog's life (your vet will advise on timing, and note the breed's anesthesia sensitivity, so a Greyhound-aware vet and appropriate anesthetic protocols matter, see the physiology question). Getting an adopted Greyhound used to having its teeth brushed, gently and positively, is worth the effort, and starting a good dental routine from adoption helps. Watch for signs of dental problems: bad breath, red or bleeding gums, heavy tartar, difficulty eating, or loose teeth, and have concerns checked by your vet. Because dental disease is so common in the breed, and professional cleanings (with the added anesthesia consideration) and extractions can add up, dental care is both an important health priority and a real budget consideration for Greyhound owners. In short, take your Greyhound's dental care seriously, it is genuinely one of the breed's most important health considerations, and a good at-home routine plus appropriate professional care keeps the dog healthier and more comfortable.

What is the Greyhound's unusual physiology and anesthesia sensitivity?

This is one of the most important, and most breed-specific, things a Greyhound owner (and their veterinarian) must understand: Greyhounds have a genuinely unusual physiology that differs from most other dogs in several ways, and this affects their veterinary care, especially anesthesia. Key aspects: (1) Anesthesia sensitivity, Greyhounds are notably sensitive to certain anesthetic drugs (in part because of their very low body fat, since some anesthetics are redistributed into body fat, and other metabolic differences), so standard anesthetic protocols used for other dogs can be riskier for Greyhounds, and Greyhound-appropriate anesthetic protocols are important, this means it is genuinely important that any vet performing anesthesia on your Greyhound (for dental cleanings, surgery, etc.) is aware of the breed's sensitivity and uses appropriate drugs and protocols; a Greyhound-experienced vet, or one made aware of the breed's needs, is valuable. (2) Different normal bloodwork, Greyhounds have naturally different "normal" values on some blood tests than other breeds (for example, higher red blood cell counts/hematocrit, and different values for some other parameters), so results that would be abnormal in another dog can be normal for a Greyhound, and a vet should interpret bloodwork with Greyhound reference ranges in mind to avoid misdiagnosis. (3) Lean body and low fat, the breed's extreme leanness and very low body fat affect drug handling (as above) and mean Greyhounds have little fat padding (contributing to their need for soft beds and their cold-sensitivity, and to thin-skin injuries and pressure sores). (4) Thin skin, Greyhounds have notably thin, delicate skin that is more prone to cuts, tears, and injuries. (5) Other quirks, Greyhounds can have other breed-specific tendencies (for example, some bleeding/clotting considerations that a vet may account for around surgery). The practical upshot for owners is clear and important: make sure your veterinarian is aware that your dog is a Greyhound and knows about the breed's physiology and anesthesia sensitivity (many vets are aware, but it is worth confirming and discussing, especially before any procedure involving anesthesia), consider a vet with Greyhound experience if possible, and understand that these physiological differences are normal for the breed, not problems in themselves, but they must be accounted for in the dog's medical care. Greyhound adoption groups are typically very knowledgeable about this and can advise. In short, the Greyhound's unusual physiology, especially its anesthesia sensitivity and different normal bloodwork, is a genuinely important, breed-specific health consideration, and ensuring your vet is Greyhound-aware (particularly around anesthesia and bloodwork interpretation) is one of the most important things you can do for the breed's medical care.

How long do Greyhounds live and is pet insurance worth it in Montreal?

Greyhounds typically live around 10 to 14 years, a reasonable lifespan for a large breed (they are generally athletic, sound dogs), and many stay healthy and enjoy their long, lazy retirements well into their senior years with good care. Much of keeping a Greyhound healthy is within your control: take dental care seriously (a genuine breed priority); know and manage bloat risk (sensible feeding, knowing the signs, considering gastropexy); be aware of the cancer, especially osteosarcoma, risk and watch for lameness or lumps; ensure your vet is aware of the breed's unusual physiology and anesthesia sensitivity (crucial before any procedure); protect the cold-sensitive dog (a winter coat in Montreal, and soft bedding for the bony, thin-skinned build); and maintain good routine veterinary care. On pet insurance: it is worth considering for a Greyhound, because, while the breed is generally fairly sound, the conditions it can face can be costly, notably cancer (osteosarcoma and others, whose treatment, potentially including surgery, chemotherapy, or amputation for bone cancer, can be very expensive), plus bloat (emergency surgery is costly), ongoing dental care (with the added anesthesia consideration), and others, and Montreal veterinary care is not cheap. The elevated cancer risk in particular is a significant reason to consider insurance. As always, take out insurance while the dog is young and healthy, before any condition is diagnosed and excluded as pre-existing; note that if you adopt an adult/retired racer (as most Greyhound adopters do), it is still worth insuring promptly, before any condition arises, though be aware some conditions in an older dog may be harder to cover, so read policies carefully. Compare providers, understand coverage and limits, and read the fine print. If you self-insure instead, keep a solid vet fund in mind, with the possibility of expensive cancer treatment particularly in mind. Note that Greyhound adoption groups typically do a thorough vet work-up (often including dental) before placement, so an adopted Greyhound often starts with known, addressed health status. Overall, the Greyhound's general soundness and reasonable lifespan are appealing, but the breed's elevated cancer risk (and other considerations) make being financially prepared, through insurance or a solid fund, genuinely worthwhile, alongside good preventive care (especially dental) and a Greyhound-aware vet.

Greyhound Health Issues (Montreal Guide)

The short answer

Greyhounds are, in many ways, a fairly sound, healthy breed (relatively free of issues like hip dysplasia) with a normal lifespan (~10 to 14 years), but with important, often breed-specific considerations. The key ones: dental disease (very common, take dental care seriously), bloat/GDV (a deep-chested breed, know the signs and act immediately), an elevated osteosarcoma (bone cancer) risk (watch for lameness and lumps), and, crucially, the breed's unusual physiology and anesthesia sensitivity (low body fat, different normal bloodwork, thin skin, sensitivity to some anesthetics, ensure your vet is Greyhound-aware, especially before any procedure). They're also very cold-sensitive (a winter coat in Montreal) and need soft bedding. Levers you control: dental care, bloat awareness, cancer vigilance, a Greyhound-aware vet, and warmth. Insurance is worth considering (cancer especially), insure while young.

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A Greyhound being examined at a Montreal veterinary clinic — Dental care, bloat awareness, cancer vigilance, and a Greyhound-aware vet (for anesthesia and bloodwork) are a Greyhound owner's most valuable health habits.

In many ways the Greyhound is a refreshingly sound breed, athletic, purpose-bred, and free of some issues that plague popular breeds. But it comes with a distinctive set of health considerations, some of them genuinely breed-specific (the physiology and anesthesia sensitivity in particular), that owners and their vets must understand. Here's the health picture, condition by condition.

Dental disease: a genuine breed priority

Greyhounds are notably prone to dental disease, poor dental health is genuinely common in the breed (and in retired racers, dental disease is very often already present at adoption, which is why Greyhound groups commonly do a dental cleaning and any extractions before placement). Advanced dental disease causes pain, tooth loss, and can affect overall health, so it's not just about bad breath.

It's very much within your control: regular tooth brushing (ideally daily or several times a week, dog toothpaste) is the single most effective measure, supported by dental chews and diets, plus professional cleanings under anesthesia as your vet advises (and note the breed's anesthesia sensitivity, so a Greyhound-aware vet and appropriate protocols matter, below). Get an adopted Greyhound used to brushing gently, and watch for bad breath, red or bleeding gums, heavy tartar, or difficulty eating. Because dental disease is so common (and cleanings, with the anesthesia consideration, add up), it's both an important health priority and a budget consideration, genuinely one of the breed's most important health habits.

Unusual physiology and anesthesia sensitivity

One of the most important, breed-specific things to know: Greyhounds have a genuinely unusual physiology. Above all, anesthesia sensitivity, they're notably sensitive to certain anesthetic drugs (partly due to very low body fat, into which some anesthetics redistribute, plus metabolic differences), so standard protocols can be riskier and Greyhound-appropriate anesthetic protocols matter. They also have different normal bloodwork (e.g. higher red blood cell counts), so a vet should interpret results with Greyhound reference ranges to avoid misdiagnosis, plus a lean, low-fat build, thin skin (prone to cuts and injuries), and some bleeding/clotting considerations.

The practical upshot: make sure your veterinarian knows your dog is a Greyhound and is aware of the breed's physiology and anesthesia sensitivity (worth confirming and discussing, especially before any procedure involving anesthesia, like a dental), and consider a Greyhound-experienced vet if possible. These differences are normal for the breed, not problems in themselves, but they must be accounted for in the dog's medical care. Greyhound adoption groups are typically very knowledgeable and can advise. Ensuring your vet is Greyhound-aware is one of the most important things you can do for the breed's medical care.

Bloat and cancer (osteosarcoma)

Bloat (GDV) is a life-threatening emergency deep-chested breeds like the Greyhound are at risk of, the stomach distends and can twist, killing within hours. Signs, an emergency: a distended, hard abdomen; unproductive retching (a classic sign); restlessness and distress; drooling; rapid breathing. Get to an emergency vet IMMEDIATELY. Reduce risk with smaller meals and calm around eating, and discuss preventive gastropexy with your vet (mindful of the anesthesia consideration).

Cancer, especially osteosarcoma: Greyhounds have an elevated lifetime risk of certain cancers, most notably osteosarcoma (bone cancer), an aggressive cancer the breed is predisposed to. It often affects the limbs, and a common early sign is lameness or a swelling on a leg, so persistent or unexplained lameness in a Greyhound warrants prompt veterinary attention, as does any new lump or unexplained illness. You can't reliably prevent cancer, but staying attentive, keeping up routine care, checking lameness and lumps promptly, and being especially vigilant with age gives the best chance of early detection; a vet or oncologist (Montreal has oncology services) can discuss options. The elevated cancer risk is a significant part of the insurance case. See our adoption guide.

Lifespan and the insurance case

Greyhounds typically live ~10 to 14 years (a reasonable lifespan for a large breed, they're generally sound). Keep one healthy with dental care (a genuine priority), bloat awareness, cancer/lameness vigilance, a Greyhound-aware vet (physiology and anesthesia), cold protection (a winter coat) and soft bedding, and good routine care. On insurance: worth considering, while the breed is generally sound, the conditions it can face can be costly, notably cancer (osteosarcoma treatment, potentially surgery, chemotherapy, or amputation, can be very expensive), plus bloat (emergency surgery), ongoing dental care, and others.

Take out insurance while the dog is young and healthy, before any condition is excluded. Note that most Greyhound adopters take on an adult/retired racer, it's still worth insuring promptly before any condition arises, though some conditions in an older dog may be harder to cover, so read policies carefully. If you self-insure, keep a solid vet fund with the possibility of expensive cancer treatment particularly in mind. Greyhound adoption groups typically do a thorough vet work-up (often including dental) before placement, so an adopted Greyhound often starts with known, addressed health status. Overall, the breed's general soundness and reasonable lifespan are appealing, but the elevated cancer risk makes financial preparedness genuinely worthwhile, alongside good preventive care (especially dental) and a Greyhound-aware vet.

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Greyhound adoption groups typically do a full vet work-up (often including dental) before placement, so you start with known health status. Refreshed regularly across Montreal-area organizations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main health problems?

The Greyhound is, in many ways, a fairly sound breed (relatively free of issues like hip dysplasia) with a normal lifespan (10 to 14 years), but with important, often breed-specific considerations: notable dental disease, bloat risk, an elevated osteosarcoma (bone cancer) risk, and the breed's unusual physiology and anesthesia sensitivity. It's also very cold-sensitive (a winter coat in Montreal) and needs soft bedding.

Why are they prone to dental problems?

The breed is predisposed to periodontal disease and tartar, and in retired racers dental disease is very often already present at adoption (which is why groups commonly do a dental before placing a dog). Advanced dental disease causes pain and affects health. Brush regularly (dog toothpaste), use dental chews, and get professional cleanings as your vet advises (mindful of the breed's anesthesia sensitivity). A genuine breed priority.

What is the unusual physiology and anesthesia sensitivity?

Greyhounds differ from most dogs: they're notably sensitive to certain anesthetics (low body fat plus metabolic differences), so Greyhound-appropriate protocols matter; they have different normal bloodwork (e.g. higher red cell counts), so results should be read with Greyhound ranges; and they have a lean build, thin skin, and some clotting considerations. Ensure your vet is Greyhound-aware, especially before any anesthesia (like a dental). These are normal for the breed but must be accounted for.

Are they prone to bloat and cancer?

Yes. Bloat (GDV) is a life-threatening emergency deep-chested breeds are at risk of, know the signs (distended hard abdomen, unproductive retching, distress) and get to an emergency vet immediately; reduce risk with smaller meals and consider gastropexy. And the breed has an elevated lifetime risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer), often showing as lameness or a leg swelling, so persistent lameness or any new lump warrants prompt veterinary attention.

How long do they live, and is insurance worth it?

Typically 10 to 14 years. Insurance is worth considering, while generally sound, the breed's potential conditions can be costly, notably cancer (osteosarcoma treatment can be very expensive), plus bloat surgery and ongoing dental care. Insure while young and healthy (most adopters take on an adult/retired racer, still worth insuring promptly). Or keep a solid vet fund with cancer treatment in mind. Adoption groups often place dogs with a full vet work-up done.

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Greyhound Health Issues