Great Global Greyhound Walk 2026: when, where and how to take part
- Abby
- Walking and Exercise , Socialisation
- 02 Sep, 2026
The Great Global Greyhound Walk takes place on Sunday the 27th of September, and the theme this year is “Mythical Mutts”. In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about the event, including on-the-day practicalities for nervous or newly adopted hounds.
TL;DR
The Great Global Greyhound Walk takes place on Sunday the 27th of September 2026, with this year’s theme “Mythical Mutts”. It’s a worldwide event celebrating all sighthounds and supporting rehoming and adoption efforts globally. Here’s what you need to know:
- Find your local walk, or register your own, via the official website
- All dogs must stay on lead throughout, with muzzles optional (if you’re UK-based) but recommended where needed
- New or nervous owners can speak to the walk organiser for support on the day
- Don’t have a hound? You’re still welcome to attend and meet members of the sighthound community!
What is the Great Global Greyhound Walk?
The Great Global Greyhound Walk is an annual worldwide event which celebrates all sighthounds: from greyhounds to lurchers to salukis to galgos! Its purpose is to show the world how amazing these dogs can be as pets, in turn supporting the rehoming and adoption of sighthounds across the globe.
For sighthound owners, it’s also an opportunity to meet other members of the sighthound cult (ahem…community) and make new friends.
Every year has a theme, with 2026’s being “Mythical Mutts”. Winston isn’t one for outfits, but I’m looking forward to seeing other hounds dressed as dragons, unicorns, wizards and more!
Some fun facts from last year’s Great Global Greyhound Walk
16,562
sighthounds took part
659
walks held globally
47
countries with walks
572
hounds at the largest walk (Barnsley, Yorkshire)
How to find your local 2026 walk
You can find your local greyhound walk here, or use the map below to check out all of the different locations with walks planned. At the time of writing this, there are 19 countries with walks registered!
Map correct as of the time of writing. Check the official walk schedule for the latest list and full event details.
No walk near you? Here’s how to organise your own
If there are no walks taking place near you, you can register your own!
This may sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. Even a small group counts and the official website provides lots of guidance on how to organise and run your own walk. Here are the main things you’ll need to do:
- Find a good spot for your walk (consider avoiding areas with things that some sighthounds struggle with, such as stairs, stiles and lots of wildlife)
- Consider if you need land owner permission and/or insurance
- Provide practical information for your walk, for example parking info, walk duration, accessibility, toilet facilities, etc.
- Register your walk on the official website linked above
- After the walk you’ll need to submit your sighthound count to your coordinator promptly
What to expect on the day
If you’ve been to a greyhound group walk before, normal etiquette applies: dogs should be kept on-lead at all times, muzzles where needed, and owners are responsible for tidying up after their dogs. All sighthounds are welcome, so expect to see a variety of dogs beyond ex-racing greyhounds: whippets, lurchers, borzois, galgos, salukis, and more!
Walks typically last around an hour, and some groups will plan additional fundraising or social activities. Details of route, timings and activities can be found on the official website or social media.
If you’re a new sighthound owner, or owner of a nervous hound, it can be daunting to attend one of these events for the first time. We attended the Great Global Greyhound Walk for the first time last year, and we had a bit of a nightmare - the walk was held in a park with lots of squirrels, and Winston was so excited about them that we got left behind when the walk started! We did manage to catch up eventually, but it wasn’t what we imagined!
My top tip if you’re worried: speak to the walk organiser or similar when you arrive, and let them know if your greyhound is reactive / prone to freezing up / struggles in busy crowds / whatever it might be. People in the sighthound community are generally lovely, and you should be able to find someone who will stick by you and offer support if you or your hound are struggling at all.
We’ll see you at the Great Global Greyhound Walk!
We’ll be attending our local walk again this year - hopefully Winston will spend more time walking and less time lunging at squirrels…
Remember this event is all about celebrating the wonderful sighthound breed, and showing the world why they should adopt a greyhound (or other sighthound). Whether you’re a new owner or long-time member of the community, we highly recommend taking part!
We will also be organising our own greyhound group walks in the near future, for any owners in the East Riding Area - keep your eyes peeled!
FAQs about the GGGW
Nope! Even if you don’t have a hound, you are still welcome to join your local walk. It’s a great opportunity to meet some sighthounds and speak with the owners, especially if you are considering adopting.
Yes, it’s completely free. There’s no payment, registration or booking needed of any kind. If your walk is organised by a rescue or other charity, consider making a small donation.
If you’re based in the UK, greyhounds don’t need to be muzzled, but it’s recommended if you feel it’s necessary. If you’re based outside of the UK, please consult local laws and legislation around muzzling. And remember that muzzles are a great tool, especially if your hound is nervous, reactive, and/or has high prey drive.
Yes, all dogs participating in the walk must be kept on lead. This is for the safety and comfort of all the hounds and owners taking part on the walk.
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