At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
smooth or rough
Comes in two coats: short and fine, or semi-long and harsh, the rougher coat giving extra protection in the field. The body is lean with a longer tail and shallower chest than an English Greyhound, and it stands slightly higher at the rear.12
Personality what they are like
Serious and somewhat reserved in everyday life, turning lively and energetic once out hunting.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A sight hound bred to chase hare over open country, so it enjoys regular chances to gallop in a safe, enclosed space as well as daily walks.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Smooth-coated dogs need very little grooming; rough-coated dogs benefit from occasional brushing.12
The story where it all began
The Galgo is thought to descend from the Celtic sighthounds known in Roman Iberia, later mixing with North African Sloughis brought during the medieval period. It has long been used across Spain for coursing hare in open country.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
12th-century wall paintings in the Hermitage of San Baudelio de Berlanga show Galgos on the hunt.2
- 2
A galgo is mentioned in the opening lines of Don Quixote.2
- 3
Galgos were exported to Ireland and England between the 16th and 18th centuries and contributed to the English Greyhound.1
- 4
Its name probably comes from the Latin 'Canis Gallicus', meaning 'dog from Gaul'.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard No. 285, Group 10 Sighthounds, Section 3 Short-haired sighthounds.1
- Real Sociedad Canina de España
- Spanish native breed, listed among vulnerable Spanish breeds.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Galgo Español. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 285 Spanish Greyhound (Galgo Español) fci.beused for group, height, coat, colours, temperament, use, history
- Spanish Galgo - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for history, body build, colours, fun facts, RSCE status
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.