Probably the worst part of owning a Galgo Espanol is having to explain to folks repeatedly that…
“No, he’s not a Greyhound; he’s a Galgo Espanol!”
It probably isn’t a big deal in the grand scheme because these guys make excellent pets for any family. But are they the “right” dog breed for you?
That’s the real…
Question, and one that we hope we’ll be able to answer for you here in this article. Because if you’re ever allowed to get your hands on one of these incredible animals, the last thing you want to do is adopt one if they aren’t a good “fit” for you and your family. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Galgo Espanol Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Spain
Original Purpose: Hunting Dog
Height: 24 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 50 to 65 pounds
Life Span: 10 to 13 years
Dog Breed Classification: Not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC).
Origin of the Galgo Espanol
The Galgo Espanol Dog hails from Galgos Del Sol in Spain. Here, in his home country, he will commonly be referred to as a Galgo or as a “canis gallicus,” which, in Latin, means Celtic Dog. These sighthounds have existed in Europe for more than 2,000 years and aren’t actually “native” to Spain. Still, they are believed to have been brought to Spain during the Morish invasion of Spain, meaning that these dogs are generally considered to have been developed by crossbreeding many of the different sighthounds that existed back then.
Originally used to hunt…
Wild dogs, once these beautiful animals, were slowly bred to become highly agile and quick, quick enough to hunt rabbits (hares) and other small animals. Unfortunately, because the Spanish Galgo is similar to other greyhounds such as the Ibizan Hound, Italian Greyhound, and Silken Windhoun, these guys have yet to become “officially” recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC).
However, we at IndulgeYourPet believe that once they become more popular throughout the United States, this breed, like those other “types” of Greyhounds, will eventually become fully appreciated and recognized by all dog organizations worldwide. The main problem for them is that they aren’t all that popular, but you will find them in dog sports and events organized by the American Sighthound Field Association.
Physical Characteristics
The Spanish Galgo is a typical hound, very different in appearance from a terrier or a spaniel. He is tall and wiry, for one. And while he may be very tall, he weighs much, considering his height – just around 60 pounds. And with all this height, you need to understand that he will be elevated and athletic enough to jump over any fence quickly. He can run fast when he wants to and is at his fastest on the hunt.
These guys also have.
Their smooth coat is so soft that it almost adds to their “aerodynamic” appearance. The good news for his owners is that this shorthaired coat doesn’t shed much, so grooming these big guys is pretty straightforward. You need to clean his ears periodically and keep an eye on his tone nails so they don’t grow too long. And while we are on the topic of hygiene, it probably wouldn’t hurt to bathe him at least once a month.
Personality and Temperament
The Spanish Greyhound or the Spanish Galgo is generally quiet and reserved. He is not too hyperactive and does not bark incessantly like some dog breeds. Combine this with the fact that these guys are very affectionate and loyal to their human family, and you’re beginning to see why we here at IndulgeYourPet are such BIG fans of these guys.
Oh…
And did we mention that these guys love kids? If not, this is something that you should know about the Galgo Espagnol. And even though these guys are an active and energetic dog breed, they aren’t always busy and vibrant. They need to be given a chance to run and play. So, just be sure that you, Galgo, get his morning walk and a chance to run around in the afternoon, and your guy will be more than happy to spend the rest of the afternoon watching TV with you!
But remember…
The Galgo Spangnol is a hound dog. More specifically, he is a “sighthound” developed for centuries to do one thing…. Hunt! So just be aware that these dogs will always be on “alert” on alert to chase down every tiny little creature that enters their line of sight. This is why if you adopt a Spanish Greyhound puppy, you’ll want to be sure to “socialize” them early on while they are a puppy so that they can learn how to “behave” around other dogs and pets. However, once you’ve done this, you’ll find that your Galgo Espagole will behave like a perfect gentleman with all big and small creatures.
Potential Health Concerns
There isn’t much information on the Spanish Galgo’s health problems. There are two reasons for this.
- There aren’t too many Galgo Espanol Dogs around, and most are in Spain.
- The Galgo appears to be a very healthy breed, much more beneficial than many terriers and spaniels.
Still, there are some health issues you should worry about. This dog is known to suffer muscle spasms and toe injuries when running. Bone cancer or Osteosarcoma is another condition known to afflict some Spanish Greyhounds.
This is why…
You’ll want to find a good, reputable breeder who is willing to provide you with proof of DNA tests and the CHIC certification to prove that the Spanish Greyhound comes from a healthy lineage and be sure to ask about any family history of such cancers so that you can try to minimize your potential risk of adopting a puppy that may develop cancer later on. However, there are no guarantees when it comes to adopting a new pet, so we always recommend that all of our readers also consider possibly purchasing a pet insurance policy when they adopt a new puppy.
This way…
If your pet does get sick or injured later on in life, you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of the vet bills later on!
For more information about who we “feel” currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies in the industry, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance article.
