General Description

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(Spanish Greyhound) The Galgo Espanol (Spanish Greyhound) looks very similar to the Greyhound but is not as common in the United States.  A tiny round head leads to their narrow muzzle.  Compared to the rest of their head, they have large eyes which are usually brown.  Sitting on the side of their head are two small folded ears.  Leading from their small head is their long narrow neck which stops at their broad shoulders and deep chest.  A sunken in stomach makes up the rest of their body which is thin and fragile looking.  Their long, skinny legs end with surprisingly small paws.  Covering their body is short fur which feels the same as the more common Greyhound.  The fur can come in any color, but the most common are fawn, brindle, and black spotted.

While rare, Galgo Espanol can also be long haired.

Character

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The Spanish Greyhound is a hard working and sweet dog.  Good with the family and strangers, this breed is a people friendly dog.  However, they are not good with young children especially since their skin can be easily hurt.  Small animals and the Spanish Greyhound do not get along; however, they love the company of other dogs.  This breed is very sensitive so gentle training should be done to prevent them from becoming upset. 

The Galgo is great with small children and is very gentle. They are also cat friendly if socialized from birth. This breed does not require a lot of exercise. They tend to have burst of energy, but are content to sleep most of the day. They have the stamina of the greyhound, but cannot run as fast since they are bred for hunting. Galgo is a Celtic name, Gal being derived from the Gauls. This breed is fairly healthy and has few genetic faults as it comes from a large gene pool.

General Health

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The Spanish Greyhound is fairly healthy with only a few health concerns such as Epilepsy, cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, bloat, and periodontal disease (gum disease).  For a large dog, the Spanish Greyhound has a long life expectancy of 12-15 years.

History

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The Spanish Greyhound, or Galgo Espanol, is believed to be an ancestor of Arabian Greyhounds which entered Spain around 800 AD through the Moors.  When the Spanish Greyhound emerged as a breed, it was adored by wealthy Spaniards who prized its ability to run fast.  To boost the speed, they began crossbreeding them with other fast dogs.  Between the 1500’s and the 1700’s, many Spanish Greyhounds were sent to the United Kingdom where they were also used for racing.  Even today, this majestic breed can often be found hunting in Spain.

Maintenance

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Grooming is not difficult on the sleek coated Spanish Greyhound.  However, frequent brushing is needed to keep a shiny coat and to remove their dead hair.  This breed is a hunting dog and just like the fast Greyhound they are full of energy.  Long walks, runs, or a large yard for off leash running should be given every day to keep them happy and not bored. 

Neither Greyhounds nor Galgos are full of excess energy. Both breeds are known for their burst speed, but are not hyper during the remaining time. They will retain enough exercise from several 20 minute walks a day. They enjoy lounging around and lots of sleep.

Ideal Environment

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The Spanish Greyhound needs plenty of exercise and is not for all owners.  This breed should not be in a home with young children or small animals but do great with other dogs.  If you want an extremely affectionate lap dog, the Spanish Greyhound is not the right breed because they are often loners around people.  Apartments are not suitable for this breed that needs large areas and dislikes being enclosed.

The Spanish Greyhound does not need excess exercise. They are perfectly happy staying inside and only sometimes have burst of energy. They do well with children and do not bite or nibble. They also do well with other dogs and even cats. Spanish Greyhounds are family dogs and absolutely hate to be left alone. They enjoy groups and are extremely loyal to their owners. They are happy in apartments as long as they are taken out for frequent walks.

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