Greyhound

Greyhounds are as fast as they are smart, as wise as they are loving. Outdoors, it is a thrill to watch this dog run at full stretch. Indoors, he becomes a quiet and dignified family member, expecting hugs and petting from his family.

Greyhound breed facts

The Greyhound is the fastest breed of dog.

One of the most celebrated of many Greyhound owners in history was General George A. Custer. Custer was especially fond of coursing breeds - Greyhounds and "staghounds" - and traveled with a hound pack that numbered about forty. One book reports that Custer's dogs were about to run a matched race the day before he left on his fatal expedition to Big Horn River in 1876.

The first knowledge of the Greyhound comes from the Tomb of Amten, in the Valley of the Nile, regarded by Egyptologists as belonging to the fourth dynasty, which in modern chronology would be between 2900 and 2751 B.C.

Information you should know before owning a Greyhound

Without proper attention and exercise, Greyhounds will find other outlets for their energy, which may include chewing.

It is essential that Greyhound owners provide their dogs with soft places to rest and sleep as Greyhounds can develop pressure sores.

Greyhounds are very affectionate, but will not overly dote on you. The Greyhound's gentle nature makes him a good children's dog.
 

The Greyhound is one of the most ancient breeds known to man, and can be traced to almost every country on every continent on the globe. The first evidence of the breed was discovered in Egypt, with carvings in old tombs dating back to 2900 and 2751 B.C. depicting dogs of unmistakable Greyhound type attacking deer and mountain goats. While these Egyptian scenes established Greyhounds at a very early date the first complete description of the breed comes from a Roman source, written by Ovid, who lived from 43 B.C. to A.D.17. There is little doubt that the dog of ancient times is the same as the one we know today.

Aristocracy and culture has always surrounded the Greyhound, and in early times royalty only bred them. England has played an important role in the development of the breed, with the first illustrations dating back to the 9th century. It was used on practically all kinds of game from deer, stags, foxes and such, but the hare is the Greyhound’s natural quarry. Formal coursing events came on the scene over two centuries ago.

In America, Greyhounds can be traced back to the 1500’s, brought in by Spanish explorers to "guard, hunt, intimidate and punish their enemies-in this case, the Indians". During the American Revolution, a huge Greyhound named Azor always accompanied George Washington. Greyhounds were among the first dogs recorded at American dog shows, with an entry of 18 exhibited at the Westminster Kennel Club show in 1877. They were in the second edition of the AKC Stud Book in 1885 with listings of three males and five bitches. Today the breed’s most valued trait is companionship – a lovely dog with a lively personality.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	Yes
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Large
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Short
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	Once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Country
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Strongly built, upstanding, of generous proportions, muscular power and symmetrical formation, with long head and neck, clean well laid shoulders, deep chest, capacious body, arched loin, powerful quarters, sound legs and feet, and a suppleness of limb, which emphasise in a marked degree its distinctive type and quality.
	Characteristics Possessing remarkable stamina and endurance.
	Temperament Intelligent, gentle, affectionate and even-tempered.
	Eyes Bright, intelligent, oval and obliquely set. Preferably dark.
	Mouth Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
	Neck Long and muscular, elegantly arched, well let into shoulders.
	Forequarters Shoulders oblique, well set back, muscular without being loaded, narrow and cleanly defined at top. Forelegs, long and straight, bone of good substance and quality. Elbows free and well set under shoulders. Pasterns of moderate length, slightly sprung. Elbows, pasterns and toes inclining neither in nor out.
	Body Chest deep and capacious, providing adequate heart room. Ribs deep, well sprung and carried well back. Flanks well cut up. Back rather long, broad and square. Loins powerful, slightly arched.
	Hindquarters Thighs and second thighs wide and muscular, showing great propelling power. Stifles well bent. Hocks well let down, inclining neither in nor out. Body and hindquarters, features of ample proportions and well coupled, enabling adequate ground to be covered when standing.
	Feet Moderate length, with compact, well knuckled toes and strong pads.
	Tail Long, set on rather low, strong at root, tapering to point, carried low, slightly curved.
	Gait / Movement Strongly built, upstanding, of generous proportions, muscular power and symmetrical formation, with long head and neck, clean well laid shoulders, deep chest, capacious body, arched loin, powerful quarters, sound legs and feet, and a suppleness of limb, which emphasise in a marked degree its distinctive type and quality.
	Coat Fine and close.
	Colour Black, white, red, blue, fawn, fallow, brindle or any of these colours broken with white.
	Size Ideal height: dogs: 71-76 cms (28-30 ins); bitches: 69-71 cms (27-28 ins).