When it comes to family dogs, greyhounds are often left off the list. There’s a lingering myth that they’re not suited to homes with children, but spend just five minutes with 11 year old Blair and 14 year old Elodie and that belief quickly melts away.
In this household, life with their greyhounds Neo and Mango looks a lot like laughter, cuddles and the occasional burst of (loving) chaos.
Built for comfort
For Elodie the best part of having Neo and Mango around is simple.
“My favourite thing to do with Neo and Mango is just snuggle up with them” she shares. “They’re really good cuddle buddies… whenever you feel under the weather, they will just come and snuggle up with you.”
It’s that gentle, intuitive nature that so many families fall in love with.
Greyhounds seem to have a quiet way of knowing when you need them most and they’re always happy to lean in (usually literally).
Playful, silly and full of personality
According to Blair, greyhounds bring plenty of fun to family life too.
“They love to run with kids and some of them, they love to play,” she says. “I love how Neo is very silly when he runs inside.”
Neo (who has been lovingly described as both “adorable” and having a “single brain cell” by the girls) is well known for his indoor zoomies, often throwing his legs in the air before frantically searching for a toy he’s just misplaced.
Mango, on the other hand, is pure personality. Blair says “she is fashion,” while Elodie sums her up perfectly as “a diva.” Mango’s signature move? Draping her head over anything and anyone within reach, or bending over the car seat to sneak in a cuddle mid-drive.
Learning responsibility
For Blair and Elodie, having greyhounds isn’t just about the fun moments it also comes with learning responsibility.
“I groom them, like with a hair brush,” says Blair.
“I feed them,” adds Elodie.
Together, they handle walking duties and “poo pick up.”
It’s a shared routine that builds confidence, responsibility and connection. Something many families value when welcoming a dog into their home.
A calming presence
For their mum, Leah, the impact of greyhounds goes even deeper.
“We have found that greyhounds just have this incredible way of calming down children when children are in a dysregulated state,” she explains. “Her calm nature actually brings the other kids’ heart rates down.”
She describes moments where children have come into their home feeling overwhelmed, only to be gently grounded by Mango who offers what the family calls her “signature hug” curling around a person “like a croissant.”
“Within probably ten, fifteen minutes, the entire mood of the house has changed,” Leah says. “Personally, I think greyhounds are a little bit magic for kids.”
Easygoing companions for everyday life
That calm and social nature doesn’t just stay at home. For their dad, Darry, greyhounds make everyday outings feel easier and more enjoyable.
“They are easy to care for,” he says. “Going out with the dogs to markets or just Bunnings and having chats with people… it’s just a nice atmosphere.”
Greyhounds tend to slot into family routines without fuss, happily joining in on outings or relaxing by your side.
Once you go greyhound…
For Elodie, there’s one final verdict that says it all.
“We’ve had quite a few other dogs, and when we got our first greyhound, we tried to go back to other dogs… we can’t anymore. It’s impossible.”
Families like this one are changing the way people see greyhounds. They’re not just calm, low-maintenance dogs. They’re playful, affectionate and deeply connected companions who thrive in family environments.
Whether it’s sharing a laugh over zoomies, learning responsibility or finding comfort in a quiet cuddle, greyhounds have a special way of fitting right into the heart of family life.
And if you ask Blair and Elodie, they wouldn’t have it any other way.
