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Spanish Greyhound vs Golden Retriever

Discover the differences between Spanish Greyhound and Golden Retriever to make the best choice for your situation.

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Spanish Greyhound
Spain

Spanish Greyhound

Sighthound Group
Large

Elegant, gentle, and deeply loyal, this breed forms strong bonds with its family. Calm indoors yet athletic outside, they thrive as affectionate and sensitive companions.

Golden Retriever
Scotland

Golden Retriever

Sporting Group
Large

A loving, intelligent breed with an easygoing nature and playful spirit. Known for loyalty and adaptability, making them exceptional companions for families of all kinds.

Quick comparison

Size:

Large

Male:

25–30 kg

Coat:

Short, fine

Lifespan:

12–14 years

Female:

20–25 kg

Energy:

High energy

Size:

Large

Male:

29–34 kg

Coat:

Double coat, water-repellent

Lifespan:

10–12 years

Female:

25–29 kg

Energy:

High energy

Personality & behavior

Compare the personality traits and behavioral characteristics of both breeds.

Spanish Greyhound

Friendliness
4/5

Gentle and polite with people and other dogs

Intelligence
4/5

Learns quickly and responds well to training

Energy Level
3/5

Moderate energy, enjoys daily exercise

Playfulness
2/5

Reserved, not highly playful with people

Adaptability
4/5

Adjusts well to different living environments

Golden Retriever

Friendliness
5/5

Very sociable, enjoys people and other dogs

Intelligence
5/5

Quick to learn commands and routines

Energy Level
4/5

Needs regular activity and mental stimulation

Playfulness
5/5

Loves games and interactive activities

Adaptability
4/5

Adjusts well to various living environments

Care needs

Exercise, grooming, and daily care requirements

Spanish Greyhound

Grooming:
Minimal grooming needed (weekly)
Exercise:
60–90 minutes daily
Shedding:
Light shedding
Trainability:
Learns with consistency
Climate tolerance:
Comfortable in temperate climates, Struggles with cold
Health concerns:

Heart disease, progressive retinal atrophy

Golden Retriever

Grooming:
Average grooming needed (2–3 times weekly)
Exercise:
60–90 minutes daily
Shedding:
Heavy shedding
Trainability:
Highly trainable
Climate tolerance:
Comfortable in temperate climates, tolerates cold well
Health concerns:

Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia

Suitability

How well each breed fits different living situations and families

Spanish Greyhound

First-time Owner
3/5

Moderate choice

Needs gentle handling and patience with training

Apartment Living
4/5

Good fit

Quiet indoors and adapts to small spaces well

Active Lifestyle
5/5

Highly suitable

Enjoys regular exercise and outdoor activities

Kids
2/5

Use caution

Sensitive and may not tolerate rough handling from young children

Multiple Pets
3/5

Usually compatible

Sociable but may chase small pets due to prey drive

Being Left Alone
1/5

Not ideal

Dislikes being left alone and can develop separation anxiety

Golden Retriever

First-time Owner
5/5

Great choice

Friendly, trainable nature makes them easy for new owners to manage

Apartment Living
2/5

Needs space

Large size and high energy can be challenging in small apartments

Active Lifestyle
5/5

Highly suitable

Enjoys regular exercise and outdoor activities with active people

Kids
5/5

Perfect fit

Gentle temperament and patience make them excellent with young children

Multiple Pets
5/5

Very friendly

Generally sociable and gets along well with other pets

Being Left Alone
2/5

Prone to anxiety

Dislikes being left alone for extended periods and may develop separation issues

Breed strengths

What each breed excels at and their best qualities

Spanish Greyhound

  • Gentle and calm indoors
  • Excellent with other dogs
  • Low grooming requirements
  • Highly adaptable to different environments
  • Quiet and rarely barks

Golden Retriever

  • Friendly with children and other pets
  • Highly trainable and eager to please
  • Consistent, gentle temperament in most settings
  • Reliable as therapy and assistance dogs
  • Strong retrieving and swimming abilities

Challenges & considerations

Potential challenges and considerations for each breed

Spanish Greyhound

  • Strong prey drive outdoors
  • Sensitive to cold weather
  • Prone to separation anxiety
  • Needs secure fencing due to chasing instinct
  • Can be wary of strangers

Golden Retriever

  • Prone to obesity without portion control
  • High shedding year-round requires regular grooming
  • Needs ample daily exercise to prevent boredom
  • Can develop separation anxiety when left alone
  • Susceptible to certain genetic health conditions

Ready to choose your perfect breed?

Learn more about each breed or compare other breeds to find the perfect match for your lifestyle.

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