Operation News – August 2026
The Wonderful Weirdness of Greyhounds
When I speak with potential adopters, I usually give them a brief description of the breed and some of its more unusual traits. I often end by saying, “Greyhounds are weird — in a wonderful way.”
And they are. They are elegant athletes who can run more than 40 miles per hour, yet may need emotional support after stepping on a pebble. Let’s talk about a few of their most endearing quirks.
Chattering
Despite reading several books about greyhounds, nothing prepared me for the castanet-like sound of Opie’s teeth the first time he chattered.
Was he cold? Nervous? Attempting to communicate in Morse code?
Greyhounds often chatter their teeth when they are excited, happy or enjoying attention. Sometimes they also chatter while processing a particularly interesting smell.
In other words, your greyhound may sound like a wind-up toy simply because life is good — or because someone nearby opened a bag of treats.
Leaning
Nothing says love quite like a 70-pound dog pressing its entire body weight against your legs.
Leaning is a greyhound’s way of saying, “You are my person, and I would now like you to hold me up.”
Think of it as a greyhound hug — one that may cause you to lose your balance and shuffle sideways across the room.
Nitting
When Opie was a young lad, he would go outside and excitedly bite at the air with his front teeth. Eventually, this behavior progressed to my clothing and then to my arms.
This gentle nibbling, called nitting, is usually not aggression. It is often a sign of affection, excitement or overstimulation. Basically, your greyhound loves you so much that he briefly forgets you are not a chew toy.
Of course, boundaries are still important. I responded with a high-pitched “Ouch!” and redirected him to something more appropriate. He eventually stopped.
I assume he still loves me. He just expresses it without using his teeth now.
The Scream of Death
Despite their impressive size and athletic appearance, many greyhounds are complete and total wimps.
Opie never ceases to amaze me with how much of an absolute baby he can be in certain situations. During one walk, he stepped on a pebble approximately the size of a lentil.
Out came the scream.
People rushed over, understandably concerned that they were witnessing a serious medical emergency. Opie stood frozen, holding his paw dramatically in the air while I examined the injured limb.
I removed the minuscule offender.
He immediately continued the walk as though nothing had happened — and looked at me as if I were the one being dramatic.
The Greyhound Scream of Death can be triggered by genuine pain, but it may also appear during such life-threatening events as a nail trim, an unexpected touch or a leaf brushing against their leg.
Always check for an actual injury, of course. Just be prepared to discover that the emergency was caused by something smaller than a lentil.
Roaching
If you are one of the unfortunate greyhound owners who has never witnessed a roach, I am truly sorry.
Roaching occurs when a greyhound lies on his or her back with all four legs pointing into the air at ridiculous and seemingly impossible angles. The head may be twisted to one side, the mouth may hang open and the tongue may make a surprise appearance.
It looks deeply uncomfortable, slightly alarming and completely undignified.
Naturally, greyhounds love it.
They may remain in this position for hours, sleeping peacefully while looking as though they have fallen down a flight of stairs.
Roaching is generally a sign that a greyhound feels safe, relaxed and comfortable in the home. It is also an excellent reminder that beneath the graceful exterior of every greyhound lives a complete goofball.
These quirks can be surprising to new adopters, but they quickly become some of the things we love most about the breed. Greyhounds may chatter, lean, nibble, scream and sleep upside down — but life with them is never boring.
They truly are weird in the most wonderful way.