How Much Does a Greyhound Dog Cost?

Greyhounds are elegant, affectionate dogs that make wonderful pets. With their slim build, short coat, and love of running, greyhounds are unique compared to other breeds.

However, adopting or purchasing a greyhound comes with expenses that prospective owners should understand before bringing one home. This article will break down the initial costs, recurring expenses, hidden fees, and cost-saving tips for greyhound ownership.

How Much Does a Greyhound Dog Cost?

The initial price of a greyhound ranges greatly, from $300 to $2,000 (≈3.3 weeks trading your time for $15/hour). So what determines this large range?

Purchasing a puppy from a breeder tends to cost $1,500 to $2,000 (≈3.3 weeks trading your time for $15/hour). Reputable breeders invest in health testing for their breeding dogs and provide initial veterinary care for the puppies. This is reflected in the higher initial cost.

Adopting an adult retired racer generally costs $300 to $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour). Many adoption groups cover the initial vet fees, so the adoption fee is lower. Some adoption groups waive the fee entirely for the right home.

In addition to the upfront price, owners should budget $400 to $700 (≈1.2 weeks of salary time at $15/hour) for initial vet care and supplies like leashes, bowls, beds, brush, and toys. These initial expenses include:

• Vaccinations - $75 to $200 (≈1.7 days working without days off at $15/hour)
• Spay/neuter - $100 to $300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage)
• Microchip - $25 to $50 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour)
• Crate - $50 to $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job)
• Initial medical exam - $50 to $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job)

So in total, plan on spending $1,200 to $2,700 (≈1 month of continuous work at $15/hour - longer than most vacations) to bring home your new greyhound when accounting for the purchase price and initial costs.

According to DogBreedsList.info, Greyhound puppies with pedigree will range anywhere from as little as $1,500 (≈2.5 weeks of non-stop employment at $15/hour - more than most exam periods) to as much as $2,500 (≈4.2 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage).

iHeartDogs.com writes that Greyhound puppies can range from $1,000 to $2,500 (≈4.2 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage), influenced by lineage, in Northeastern states like New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.

In Southern states like Texas, Georgia, and Florida, prices typically range from $800 to $2,200 (≈3.7 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage) for Greyhound puppies.

In the Midwest, including states like Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan, potential Greyhound owners can expect prices between $900 and $2,300 (≈3.8 weeks dedicated to affording this at $15/hour).

The author of GovernmentWorkerFI.com spent $1,894 (≈3.2 weeks of your working life at $15/hour).89 in total for adopting a Greyhound, including adoption fees, supplies, and initial veterinary costs.

Greyhound Pet Adoption Northwest mentions that the adoption fee for a Greyhound from this organization is $350 (≈2.9 days working without breaks at $15/hour).

Recurring Monthly Expenses for Greyhounds

Once you bring your greyhound home, what are the monthly costs for care and maintenance? Here are the typical recurring expenses:

Food costs average $50 to $70 (≈4.7 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) per month. Greyhounds are large dogs with fast metabolisms. Expect to feed high-quality dog food, about 4 to 5 cups per day.

Veterinary costs like vaccines, dental care, and check-ups average $50 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per month. Budget more if your dog needs medication.

Toys and treats range from $20 to $40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per month. Greyhounds love plush squeaky toys. Plan on replacing toys regularly.

Pet insurance starts at $30 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per month for accident-only policies, to $70 (≈4.7 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) per month for comprehensive coverage. This can save thousands on emergency vet bills.

In total, plan on $150 to $300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) per month in recurring costs to properly care for your greyhound. Annual trims, training, boarding and other occasional costs will also factor in.

Potential Hidden Costs of Owning a Greyhound

When budgeting for a dog, it's essential to be prepared for surprise expenses. Here are some hidden costs greyhound owners may encounter:

• Vet emergencies - $500 to $5,000+ (≈1.9 months of your working life at $15/hour)
• Damage to property - $50 to $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour)
• Special diet needs - $80+ (≈5.3 hours of your workday at a $15/hour wage) per month
• Professional training - $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per session

You might also like our articles about the cost of Norwegian Elkhound Dogs, West Highland White Terriers, and Xoloitzcuintli dogs.

Vet emergencies are the biggest hidden cost of this dog breed. Even with pet insurance, owners must plan for accidents and illness. A single ER visit can cost $1,000 (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour) or more.

Tips for Saving Money on Greyhound Care

Here are great tips for keeping greyhound ownership affordable:

• Adopt from a rescue organization to reduce initial costs
• Stick to a monthly pet budget
• Invest in preventative vet care to avoid emergencies
• Purchase high-deductible pet insurance for accident coverage
• Buy in bulk, get large bags of dog food to save
• Use discount retailers for food, meds, and supplies

If you plan ahead and budget smartly, owning a wonderful greyhound is possible even on a limited income. Do your research and make wise financial choices, and your greyhound will bring you years of joy.

Conclusion

Greyhounds make excellent companions for active owners. But they do come with real financial responsibilities. Plan for an initial investment of $1,200 to $2,700 (≈1 month of continuous work at $15/hour - longer than most vacations), then budget $150 to $300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) per month for food, routine vet care, insurance and supplies. Also have an emergency fund for hidden costs.

With preparation and commitment, a greyhound can be a delightful, cost-effective addition to your home. Take time to research adoption organizations, breeders, expenses, insurance, and preventative care. If you plan smartly and provide consistent love and upkeep, a greyhound will become your most treasured family member for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are greyhounds good with pets?

Greyhounds can be excellent with other pets, including cats, if properly introduced and trained. Since greyhounds are bred to chase small fast prey, they have a high prey drive. However, with early socialization and training, greyhounds can learn to get along peacefully with other household pets.

It's ideal to adopt a greyhound that has been cat-tested by the rescue organization. Supervised interactions are key, never leave a greyhound unsupervised with smaller animals. With time, patience and effort, greyhounds can adapt to become trustworthy family dogs that live harmoniously alongside other pets.

Do greyhounds get aggressive?

In general, greyhounds are gentle, sweet-tempered dogs that rarely show aggression. They tend to be fairly easy-going and docile by nature. However, any dog can become aggressive given the wrong circumstances.

Poor socialization, abuse, health issues or genetics can potentially cause aggression in greyhounds as with other breeds. Proper training and care from an early age helps prevent aggression.

Adopting an adult greyhound from a reputable rescue that has assessed the dog's temperament can reduce the risk of aggression issues. Overall, with responsible ownership, greyhounds are typically calm, peaceful, non-aggressive family companions.

Can greyhounds bite?

Yes, greyhounds are capable of biting like all dogs. However, greyhounds generally have an easy-going, gentle disposition and are not prone to biting without provocation. Well-socialized, properly trained greyhounds that feel secure rarely show biting behaviors.

Potential causes of greyhound bites include fear, pain from injury, resource guarding, or prey drive kicking in. Children should always be supervised when interacting with dogs to prevent bites.

Owners should learn greyhound warning signs like tucked tails and raised hackles to avoid bites. With proper care, training, socialization, and responsible supervision, greyhounds can become trustworthy canine companions unlikely to bite.