Spanish Greyhound

The Spanish Greyhound is a dog breed with an ancestral history in Spain. It is known for its elegance and speed, and is considered one of the oldest dogs in the world. Some of the distinguishing characteristics of this breed include its slender, muscular body and elongated head with small ears.

General details

Spanish Greyhounds are medium to large sized dogs, weighing between 25 and 30 kilograms for males, and between 20 and 25 kilograms for females. They have an average height of between 62 and 70 centimeters for males, and between 60 and 67 centimeters for females. Their life expectancy is in the range of 12 to 15 years. The breed belongs to Group 10 of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which includes sighthounds.

Breed history in brief

Their most likely ancestry is thought to be in the Pharaonic dogs of Egypt, having common ancestors with the podenco. Spanish Galgos have a long tradition as hunting dogs in Spain. They have been used for centuries for hunting hares and other game, since Roman times. Their speed and agility make them excellent companions in the field. They were highly valued by society and their theft or death was punishable by law. Its population decreased due to crossbreeding with the English Greyhound, a descendant of the faster Spanish, but specialized associations maintained individuals of pure lineage.

Breed characteristics

The Spanish Greyhound is characterized by its slender and muscular body, with long and slender limbs that give it great speed and agility. Its head is elongated, with a narrow skull and a long muzzle. Its eyes are small and hazel-colored, and its ears are triangular and semi-erect when the dog is attentive. The tail is long, flexible and hangs in the shape of a sickle with a slight curve at the tip when at rest. The coat is dense, short and smooth. There is a variety of semi-long hard hair that can give rise to the appearance of beard, whiskers and overbrows on the face. The most common colors are brindle, black, tan, yellow, red and white. As for their temperament, Spanish Greyhounds are known to be calm, docile and affectionate. They are very friendly dogs and get along well with children and other pets in the home. Although they are excellent runners and have great energy when on the move, at home they tend to be calm and relaxed. As a hunting breed, Spanish Greyhounds have a highly developed chase instinct.

Common health problems

Spanish Greyhounds, like other dog breeds, can present certain diseases and disorders such as volvulus-gastric dilatation, cataracts, heart disease and dermatological diseases. Due to their slender body and light weight, it is rare for them to develop the hip dysplasia so common in other breeds.