50-65 lbs
27-28"
Egypt
The Greyhound is a unique and well-known breed of dog. They can be recognized easily by their signature silhouette and thin and slender body type. Their long, skinny but muscular bodies allow them to be extremely fast, in fact, one of the fastest breeds ever, and they are also good at hunting, which is why they were bred originally. Despite their skills at hunting, Greyhounds prove to be quiet and sweet pets that do well around children and other animals, unless they see them as prey, in which case their instincts will take over and they will take chase. These dogs coats can be very diverse, and of almost any color and pattern.
These dogs are an ancient breed that has shown up in Egyptian art, and have also been mentioned in the Bible, by the Greeks, and in Roman poetry. It was in the Dark Ages that the Greyhound had arrived in Europe. These dogs were, and still are today, incredibly fast and amazing hunters. They were so talented that anyone living within 10 miles of the king’s forest was forbidden from owning a Greyhound in order to protect the royal game reserves. It was due to the sport of coursing, which involves chasing prey, and racing that these dogs continued to grow in popularity in England. They were eventually brought to the Americas by British colonists and Spanish explorers. There, the dogs would travel the open plains, using their impressive speed and excellent eyesight to hunt coyotes, hares, stag, fox, deer, wild boar and jackrabbits, being able to chase and catch them without needing to stop for rest. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885, and were one of the first dog breeds that appeared in American dog shows. The first ever official coursing race occurred in 1886. 1906 was the founding year of the United State’s National Coursing Association. The sport of coursing is still present and very popular in many countries throughout the world, but sadly it is a tough sport that leads to euthanization, abandonment and the selling of dogs to laboratories if they do not succeed on the track. They are still one of the fastest dog breeds, able to run at a speed of 40 miles or 65 kilometers per hour.
These dogs have short coats that are very smooth and can be a variety of colors. This includes fawn, black, blue, white, red or gray, and can of a brindle pattern or parti color, which is the combination of white with at least one other color. The Greyhound is tall and slender, with long legs and a thin body. Their heads are long and narrow but are wide between the ears, and they have a long muzzle with no stop. The rose ears are small and folded back but will become upright when the dog is excited. The eyes will be dark and the long neck will be arched. Greyhounds have chests that are wide and deep, with long tails that end in an upward curve. These beautiful dogs have broad and muscular backs, with a slightly arched loin and narrow waist. It is normal for these dogs to be quite skinny, and in fact, it can be dangerous for them to become obese.
If Greyhounds become bored, they can become destructive. They also still possess a very strong instinct to hunt, and will definitely chase any small animals that can be considered as prey. Because of this, these determined dogs will need to be kept in a home that has a good fence. They should be kept on leash at all times during walks for the same reason. Because these dogs are so tall, getting raised bowls for food can be a good idea. You must also be cautious so that your Greyhound does not get overweight, as they are prone to it. They should get fed twice a day. Although their coat is short, they are still known to shed a lot and will need to be brushed every day. Hound mitts or rubber curry brushes are their favorite tools for grooming. These dogs can also have poor dental health, and will need regular teeth brushing. Unless they wear down on their own, the nails should be trimmed one or two times every month.
The Greyhound is a friendly breed that is not aggressive. They are independent and smart, and are sometimes described as cat-like. However, they are sensitive and can easily become timid or shy if there is any tension in the home, even if it is not directed at them. They can sometimes develop destructive habits if they become bored. They still have hunting in their blood, and will chase after any small animal that they see. These clever canines can be stubborn when being trained and will need an owner that can be consistent and confident. They are sensitive, and harsh training will not suit them. Instead, food rewards will work well. They also have trouble with the sit command, as it is an unnatural position and hard for them to balance. They do quite well with children and will not snap at young ones. They do best with the older kids that know how to treat dogs, but will always be calm and simply walk away if they do not like playing with younger children. They will also do well with other dogs, but can sometimes see smaller animals as prey. This includes smaller dogs, cats, bunnies or other little pets. If these animals run away from them, it will make it worse. For these reasons, Greyhounds have been known to harm smaller animals. However, it does depend on the individual dog.
