Greyhound weight chart: what a healthy weight looks like

Why a single weight figure does not work for this breed

Greyhounds vary hugely in frame size, and the breed standard covers a wide range of heights and builds even within one sex. A number on a chart that says a greyhound should weigh a certain amount tells you almost nothing without knowing that individual dog's height, bone structure and muscle condition, which is why vets use body condition scoring rather than a fixed weight table for this breed.

Retired racing greyhounds also tend to carry noticeably more muscle than pet-bred greyhounds of the same height, and that muscle weighs more than the fat it eventually gets replaced with as the dog settles into a slower, retired lifestyle. A weight that looked right on the track can look quite different, and still be perfectly healthy, a year into retirement.

What to look for instead

Run your hands along your greyhound's ribs. You should feel them easily under a thin layer of muscle and fat, without pressing hard, and you should be able to see a faint outline of the last couple of ribs when the dog is standing relaxed — this is normal and expected for the breed, not a sign of being underweight.

Look at the waist from above and the tuck from the side. A greyhound in good condition narrows visibly behind the ribs and the belly line rises up towards the back legs rather than running flat or sagging. If the waist has disappeared, or the ribs are difficult to feel under padding, that is the more useful signal than any number on a scale.

When to get your vet to check

Sudden weight loss or gain in either direction is worth a vet visit, particularly in an older greyhound, because it can be the first visible sign of a range of conditions rather than simply a change in diet or activity. Ring your vet if the change happened over weeks rather than gradually, or if it comes with any change in appetite, energy or coat condition.

A vet or vet nurse can score body condition properly and weigh your dog on a calibrated scale, which is worth doing at a normal check-up even if nothing seems wrong — it gives you a baseline for that individual dog rather than a chart figure that was never really about them.

Common questions

How much should an adult greyhound weigh?

There is no single correct figure, because greyhounds vary a great deal in height and frame. A healthy weight is better judged by feeling the ribs easily under a thin covering and seeing a clear waist and tucked-up belly than by aiming for a number on a chart.

Why does my greyhound look thin even though it eats well?

Greyhounds are built lean and a visible waist with faintly showing ribs is normal for the breed rather than a sign of being underweight. If you are unsure whether your dog's condition is healthy, ask your vet to score it at a check-up rather than guessing from appearance alone.

Do retired racing greyhounds gain weight?

Often, yes, as muscle built up for racing is gradually replaced by a more typical pet body composition on a less intense routine. A gradual change over months as a dog settles into retirement is normal; a sudden change is worth mentioning to your vet.

Should I feed my greyhound less to keep it lean?

Do not cut a greyhound's food based on its appearance alone. Speak to your vet or a vet nurse about your individual dog's condition and activity level first, since greyhounds are naturally lean and restricting food unnecessarily can cause its own problems.