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Galgo Espanol

The Galgo Español is a Spanish sighthound, closely related to the Greyhound and used for centuries to course hare over open ground.

It stands 60 to 70 centimetres, weighs 20 to 30 kilograms and lives twelve to fifteen years, in smooth and rough coats.

It is a gentle, quiet, remarkably undemanding dog indoors — sighthounds sleep most of the day — and it is also the subject of one of Europe's largest companion-animal welfare problems. Large numbers of galgos are bred each year by Spanish hunters, and at the end of the hunting season in February many are abandoned, given to shelters or killed. Rescue organisations across Europe rehome thousands annually, and adoption is the usual route to owning one.

Origin
Spain; a coursing sighthound
Size
60–70 cm; 20–30 kg
Lifespan
12–15 years
Coat
Smooth or rough; very little body fat
Temperament
Gentle, quiet and calm indoors; high prey drive outdoors
Welfare
Large numbers abandoned in Spain each February; most are adopted

Related: Greyhound

2 galgo espanol photos, newest first

Galgo Espanol feed
  • Clover, a galgo espanol

    Clover

    Clover was promoted to astronomer discovering that the moon is a cheese wheel; unfortunately, a single enormous sock appears without explanation.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Clover, a galgo espanol

    Clover

    Two minutes after this, Clover was asleep.

    GentleFinch · 2 weeks ago

Living with a galgo espanol

Most galgos come through rescue, often having been abandoned or kept in poor conditions, and many arrive underweight, fearful or entirely unused to living in a house. Expect a settling period measured in months and take advice from the rescue.

The prey drive is absolute. Recall around anything running is not reliable, and secure fencing plus a long line is the norm.

Low body fat means they feel the cold — coats and soft bedding — and it changes how they metabolise some anaesthetics. Tell every vet the dog is a sighthound.

They need a good run rather than long walks, and then they sleep.

Health is generally good; the problems are usually acquired rather than inherited.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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