Greyhound Bleu leans into his owner for a cuddle

Why greyhounds and lurchers make great family pets

Sadly greyhounds often take longer to rehome because people do not always see them as family pets. But they can actually make the perfect pet.

When people think of greyhounds, they often conjure up images of super-fast, competitive dogs speeding off in pursuit of a small fluffy animal.

So it’s no surprise that we assume these dogs are high maintenance, aloof and need huge amounts of exercise. But when it comes to greyhounds and their crossbreed, the lurcher, this could not be further from the truth.

Typical traits of greyhounds

All dogs are different so their individual personalities and backgrounds must be considered, but as a rule greyhounds are extremely gentle with people and make excellent pets.

Although many greyhounds are ex-racers and have often lived in kennels, with a bit of support they can adapt very quickly to life in a home. They are often very friendly and laidback, so can make great family pets.

Do greyhounds need lots of exercise?

Contrary to popular opinion, greyhounds do not need excessive exercise and even they tend to be a little lazy. They're often very happy walking alongside you on a lead with a burst of free running.

Where you let them do this will depend on how they behave off lead and how good their recall is. Secure fields are an option to give you peace of mind and it's wonderful to see them run and play off lead!

Afterwards, they're happy to head home to lie on your lap or a comfy bed and have a snooze and a snuggle. Many greyhounds sleep as much as 16 to 18 hours a day.

greyhound walking on a lead
Contrary to popular opinion, greyhounds and lurchers don’t need excessive exercise

Do pet greyhounds chase cats?

Because of their breeding and background they love to run and will often enjoy chasing after small furry things. This means that they may need to be muzzled and on a lead in areas with wildlife. While some have strong instincts to chase, this does not mean that they're impossible to train and some will have fantastic recall skills.

Most greyhounds will not be suitable to live with a cat, but there are always exceptions to this. Extreme care should be taken when introducing cats and dogs. If you have a cat and want to adopt a greyhound, talk to the rescue centre you'd like to adopt from and they'll be able to advise you.

Tip

We have lots of advice on training your dog to wear a muzzle, making sure it's comfortable and fun for them.

Lurchers as pets

Lurchers are a crossbreed between a greyhound (or other sighthound) and another breed, often a terrier or herding breed.

Like any crossbreed, their personality, size and colour depend on their breeding. But they often share similar traits to greyhounds. Like greyhounds, they can be affectionate, love a cuddle and enjoy being around family life.

Greyhounds and lurchers at Blue Cross

If you’re thinking of getting a new pet, do not rule out a greyhound or lurcher. These lovely dogs may end up being the perfect choice for you and your family.

See our dogs ready for adoption

Our campaign to end greyhound racing

For many, greyhounds are synonymous with greyhound racing, but every year thousands of injuries are caused by this 'sport'. Between 2018 and 2022 the racing industry’s own statistics revealed over 2,000 greyhound deaths.

We're calling for change.

Our petition calls for UK governments to phase out greyhound racing over the next five years, allowing the industry to wind down safely, and find greyhounds the loving retirement homes they need.

Please sign our petition

Page details

Reviewed

• 15 August 2023

Next review

• 15 August 2026

Approved by
Claire Stallard

Animal Behaviourist ABTC-CAB