Let me guess.
You just brought home a greyhound—or maybe you’re on hour 37 of watching adoption videos on Instagram, wondering if this elegant, bony creature is your canine soulmate. But then... you meet one. Or live with one. And suddenly, you’re Googling:
"Why is my greyhound shaking all the time?"
"Do greyhounds like cuddling or hate me?"
"Why does my Italian greyhound stare like a ghost child in a horror film?"
You are not alone.
Greyhounds, especially Italian greyhounds, are walking contradictions. Affectionate but aloof. Goofy but graceful. Couch potatoes who run like lightning. And their body language? It's nothing like what you’ve read in general dog books.
This is the beginner’s guide I wish someone had handed me when I brought home my first greyhound and thought I’d adopted a very polite alien.
1. The Shake Isn’t Always Fear (But Sometimes It Is)
Let’s talk about the trembling.
New greyhound owners often panic when their dog starts vibrating like a washing machine on spin cycle. But in greyhound speak, “shaking” doesn’t always mean fear—it can be:
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Excitement (like before a walk)
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Cold (they have zero body fat)
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Anxiety (change, noise, being left alone)
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Habitual (some just... do it)
Here’s the test: are their ears back, tail tucked, or body low? That’s anxiety. But if their tail’s wagging and they’re alert, it’s just pre-game jitters.
👉 Pro tip: A warm sweater, soft voice, and consistent routine calm most shakes over time.
2. The “Dead Dog” Sleep Pose Is Actually a Compliment
The first time your greyhound flops on their side, eyes open, legs stretched like roadkill—you might think they’ve collapsed.
Nope.
That’s greyhound-level comfort.
This “dead roach” sleep position (on their back, limbs in the air) means they fully trust their environment. Greyhounds don’t do this in racing kennels or shelters.
👉 You’re doing something right. Let them snore in peace.
3. The Thousand-Yard Stare Isn’t a Cry for Help
Italian greyhounds and their larger cousins have a unique stare—long, unblinking, often across the room. Many new owners find this unnerving.
They’re not plotting your downfall.
They’re watching. Processing. Waiting.
Greyhounds are sight hounds. Their vision is off the charts. They’re wired to notice subtle movement from yards away and lock on. It’s a survival instinct—translated to your apartment.
👉 Don’t overinterpret the stare. Offer treats, blink slowly, or ignore. It’s their way of being present.
4. They Lean on You—Literally
A greyhound doesn’t always jump up or bark to show love. Often, they’ll quietly lean their body weight against your leg like a sleepy tree.
This isn’t just physical laziness (though, yes, they specialize in that).
It’s affection. Trust. A greyhound hug, if you will.
👉 Don’t brush them off. Lean back. You’re part of their pack now.
5. That Tucked Tail Is a Window Into Their Soul
Greyhounds have a long, whip-thin tail—and it’s the most expressive part of their body.
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High and wagging? Happy, confident.
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Low and still? Cautious, observing.
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Tucked between legs? Nervous, insecure.
If your pup has a tucked tail when meeting strangers, don’t force interaction. Let them observe. Give them time. They’ll come around faster if they feel safe.
6. Zoomies Are Sacred, Not Scary
New greyhound parents often ask: “Why does my dog go full rocket mode at 9PM every night?”
Welcome to the zoomies (scientific term: FRAP – Frenetic Random Activity Periods). This burst of energy is normal and healthy. It’s not a sign of stress—it’s the release of stress.
👉 Let them run (safely). It’s joy, pure and simple.
7. Silence Doesn’t Mean They Don’t Love You
Italian greyhounds can be vocal. Standard greyhounds? Not so much. Many don’t bark at all. This quietness makes some new owners wonder, “Do they even like me?”
They do.
They just speak a different love language:
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Gentle tail wags when you walk by
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Following you from room to room
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Sleeping with one paw touching you
👉 Connection looks subtle in greyhounds. But it’s deep.
Final Thought:
Greyhounds Don’t Lie—They Whisper.
Learning their body language is like tuning in to a different frequency. At first, it’ll feel confusing. Maybe even a little disappointing if you were hoping for a golden retriever who wears his heart on his wagging tail.
But once you learn their signs—the lean, the stare, the stillness—you’ll see the depth behind the quiet.
You’ll realize: this dog is watching everything, feeling everything, trusting you more than they let on.
And when they finally look at you, eyes soft, tail low and swaying…
you’ll know.
They chose you back.
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