PuppyBase

English Setter vs Greyhound

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds

Not sure which breed fits your life?

Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.

The bottom line

English Setter vs Greyhound

People compare English Setters and Greyhounds because they’re both elegant, large-bodied dogs with a history of hunting and a surprising softness at home. On the surface, they look like options for someone who wants a regal dog that’s good with family. But the truth is, they’re built for entirely different rhythms of life. The English Setter is a working artist. They’re bred to range wide, find birds, and freeze in point. so they need space, mental engagement, and a handler who’s ready to train consistently. They’re more vocal, shed more, and thrive on involvement. If you’re hiking, hunting, or have a yard where kids are always playing, they’ll be right there with you, tail wagging, coat getting matted if you’re not brushing it weekly. They’re deeply affectionate, yes, but they’re also thinking dogs. they’ll get bored if you’re not giving them jobs or games. The Greyhound, meanwhile, is a sprinter with a snooze button. They can hit 45 mph, but most of the day they’re curled up on your couch, indifferent to the chaos. Their short coat is easy, they’re quiet, and they adapt to apartments better than almost any large breed. But here’s the real insight: Greyhounds aren’t indifferent. they’re observant. They bond quietly, deeply, but often on their terms. And if you have a cat or a tiny dog, that prey drive doesn’t disappear just because they’re retired from the track. Choose the Setter if you want a dog who’s part of the action, every day. Choose the Greyhound if you appreciate grace, calm, and a little aloof nobility. Just don’t get a Greyhound thinking you’re getting a lazy dog. they’re athletes in repose. And don’t get a Setter thinking they’ll settle for a sedentary life. They’ll get into trouble, or worse, into depression. One wants to work with you. The other wants to rest with you. Know which you’re offering.

English Setter
Greyhound
23–27 in
Height
27–30 in
45–80 lb
Weight
60–70 lb
12–12 yr
Lifespan
10–13 yr
$1.2–3.0k
Puppy price
$1.0–3.0k
#94
AKC popularity
#145

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
English Setter Greyhound
Overlay

Where they diverge

Coat Grooming
Greyhound needs less grooming (2-point difference)
Greyhound
Drooling Level
Greyhound drools less (2-point difference)
Greyhound
Affectionate w/ Family
English Setter is more affectionate (1-point difference)
English
Good with Young Children
English Setter is better with kids (1-point difference)
English
Shedding Level
Greyhound sheds less (1-point difference)
Greyhound
The verdict

Choose the English Setter if…

  • Active families
  • Hunters
  • Homes with a yard
  • You value coat groomingEnglish Setter scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Greyhound if…

  • Apartment dwellers (surprisingly calm indoors)
  • Adoption-minded owners (many ex-racers)
  • Low-maintenance coat owners
  • You value energy levelGreyhound scores higher here.
English Setter Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your English Setter home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Greyhound Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Greyhound home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

Other comparisons people run