Life expectancy of a greyhound is approximately 10 to 15 years, almost the same for an Italian, racing greyhound. Lifespan is mostly dependent on genetics, diet and exercise of the dog. In the greyhound breed they have some inherited health issues as compared to other breeds. If we take proper care of them they can live more up to the upper end of their life expectancy.
The Impact Of Genetics On A Greyhound Life
Genetics play an important role in a Greyhound’s lifespan because if there is a health issue of bone cancer in any of the ancestors then your dog can also develop it and high levels of inbreeding can affect their lifespan.
The Role Of Care In A Greyhound Life Expectancy
In the life of a greyhound quality care is important for his/her lifespan. But there are some things what you can do to help for a long life such as:
Balanced Diet
Greyhounds can get benefit from a diet which can give them high quality proteins,fatty acids, and carbohydrates, so if you take care of their diet they will be having a healthy weight.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation
We advise you to provide moderate exercise to your greyhound like walks or playtime so this will keep their body joints healthy and after this exercise give time for rest. And to keep them mentally healthy, give them toys to play with, this can also reduce the anxiety of your dog.
Veterinary Care For Greyhound Life Expectancy
Regular check-ups for vaccinations,and blood work will help detect and manage health issues related to the heart early.
What Do Greyhounds Usually Die Of?
There are many common causes because of which Greyhounds die are:
- Bone Cancer
- Heart Disease(heart issues like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM))
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Loss of kidney function
- Dental health(Greyhounds have more sensitive teeths and gums so if you will not clean their teeths regularly they can get dental disease, which can cause pain, infection, and inflammation. So later it can spread through the bloodstream which can cause early death.)
Do Racing Greyhounds Live Shorter Lives Due To Their Racing Career?
Racing Greyhounds don’t live shorter lives because of their racing careers, but fractures and joint issues can cause problems for their overall health which can affect their lifespan. That’s why we advise you to take your greyhound for a wellness examination once a year and for professional dental cleaning visit twice a year.
How Much Exercise Does A Retired Greyhound Require?
Retired greyhounds don’t require much exercise, only a 20 min daily walk is enough for them. After retirement they mostly enjoy rest.
How Does Size Impact The Lifespan Of A Greyhound?
It has been observed that larger greyhounds have shorter lifespans due to factors like faster aging and increased strain on the heart and joints. On the other hand with lower body fat and lean build ones live longer than them.
How Big Are Greyhounds?
Male Greyhounds are 28 to 30 inches tall, while females are slightly smaller, around 27 to 28 inches. When we talk about weight Males weigh between 65 to 70 pounds and females 60 to 65 pounds.
