Galgo Español: Spanish Greyhound Breed Guide

The Galgo Español, also called the Spanish Greyhound, is a Spanish sighthound. It was bred specifically to course hare and other game. The recorded height is 60 cm. Historical accounts note possible links to the English Greyhound and crossings made for track racing.

What the Galgo Español is

The Galgo Español is a dog from Spain and a member of the sighthound type. It is also known as the Spanish Greyhound.

Its recorded purpose was coursing hare and other game.

Origin and background

This breed began in Spain. Historical accounts suggest the English Greyhound may descend from the Spanish Greyhound.

What it was bred to do

The Galgo Español was developed for coursing, with hare and other game named as its quarry. Its classification as a sighthound reflects that hunting role.

Points to keep in mind

The breed’s history includes crossings with English Greyhounds for track-racing aims. That background is part of the Galgo Español’s story alongside its original coursing role.

Size

The recorded height for the Galgo Español is 60 cm.

Who should look elsewhere

Skip this entry if you are choosing a cat or horse rather than a dog. For another Spanish dog entry, see dog breeds from Spain.

Verdict

Choose the Galgo Español if you want a Spanish sighthound whose documented work centers on coursing hare and other game. Its 60 cm recorded height gives a clear size reference, while its Greyhound connections add historical context.

What stands out

Bred specifically for coursing hare and other game.
Originated in Spain.
Sighthound type with a recorded height of 60 cm.
Has documented historical links with the English Greyhound.

Worth knowing

Its recorded role is specialized around coursing hare and other game.
Some 20th-century lines were crossed with Greyhounds for track racing.

Suits

Readers seeking a Spanish sighthound.
Those interested in coursing breeds and their origins.

Think twice if

You are choosing a cat or horse rather than a dog.
You want a breed whose documented purpose is not coursing game.

In short

The Galgo Español is a Spanish dog with a clearly recorded working purpose: coursing hare and other game. It belongs to the sighthound type and stands 60 cm in the listed height record. Its history also includes possible English Greyhound ancestry and 20th-century crossings aimed at track racing. This breed suits readers drawn to Spanish hunting dogs and their documented origins. If your search is for a cat, horse, or a different kind of dog, start with another breed entry instead.

Questions

What is a Galgo Español?

The Galgo Español, or Spanish Greyhound, is a Spanish dog of sighthound type.

Where does the Galgo Español come from?

The breed originated in Spain.

What was the Galgo Español bred to do?

It was bred specifically for coursing hare and other game.

How tall is a Galgo Español?

Its recorded height is 60 cm.

Is the Galgo Español related to the English Greyhound?

Historical accounts say the English Greyhound may be descended from the Spanish Greyhound.

More dog breeds from Spain

Photo credits9 photographs on this page

Galgo Español — Tux-Man · CC0 · file page
Alano Español — Canarian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
Basque Shepherd Dog — Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Can de Palleiro — Berkano2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
Dogo español — Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
Gos Rater Valencià — Monimex · Public domain · file page
Pachón Navarro — Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain · file page
Podenco Canario — Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Pyrenean Mountain Dog — Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page

Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under the licence each one names. How Animalso credits photographs.