Greyhound
The Greyhound is one of the oldest breeds of dogs whose origin traces back over 8000 years to early cave drawings. Drawings like this were found in Egyptian pyramids, and many people believe they were favorites of the Pharaohs. Other people believe that they originated in ancient Greece, Africa, Turkey, or even the Middle East.
Over the years, they came to Europe. They first arrived in England and became famous with the nobles, and thanks to England’s Cancute Laws, only the elite were allowed to own a Greyhound. If someone was found responsible for the dogs’ death, they could be executed. In England, they were first used for hare coursing, and later, track racing took over.
Height:
27-30 in (68-76 cm)
Weight:
60-70 lb (27-32 kg)
Origin:
Great Britain
Life Expectancy:
10-13 years
Dog Breed Characteristics
Greyhounds are athletic and, with their long legs, deep chests, flexible spines, and slim build, are perfectly constructed for high-speed pursuit. They are medium-sized dogs.
Males are usually 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) tall and weight 65-70 pounds (29-31 kg), and females can reach a height of 27-28 inches (68-71 cm) and weigh around 60-65 pounds (27-29 kg).
Greyhound speed
FUN FACT: Greyhounds are the fastest dogs in the world and can reach a speed of over 45 miles per hour. In the animal world, only a few animals can beat a Greyhound for speed.
The downside of their racing career is that many of them are given up for adoption after their racing days are over. Some of them are euthanized. So, if you are interested, you can check Greyhound rescues near you to see if there is any, as they call it, 40 mph couch potato waiting for a new home.
This dog is gentle, noble, and sweet-tempered. For thousands of years, these graceful dogs have been an object of fascination for artists, poets, and kings.
FUN FACT: Greyhounds are mentioned in the Bible. There is a greyhound reference in Proverbs 30:29-31, which says: “There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; A greyhound; and he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.”
Coat
Greyhounds have a short, smooth coat that is easy to take care of. The shedding is low to average. Brush your dog regularly to keep the shedding under control. Their coat is very thin, so their skin is vulnerable to scrapes, tears, and nicks. The coat comes in a few different colors, including fawn, black, red, blue, gray, or white. They can also be various shades of brindle. Greyhounds’ coats can have some white markings which are permissible as a breed standard.
FUN FACT: Greyhounds have very little body fat and their coat is really thin so they can get the shivers. If you live in a cold climate, buy a warm coat for your dog to wear in the snow or rain.
With Greyhound, you should be prepared to give their teeth special care. They tend to have poor dental health, so regular brushing is a must. Trim your dog's nails when needed.
Energy level
Because they are the fastest dog breed in the world, Greyhounds are often believed to have a lot of energy that needs to be spent. But the truth is that this dog loves to sleep. This dog will find the softest spot on the furniture and sleep there most of the day.
When they are outside, they love to run, but a moderate amount of daily exercise (which includes running) should be enough to keep your Greyhound satisfied and fit. They can fit into almost any lifestyle, but an ideal environment is a place where the dog has regular access to a large fenced area where a Greyhound can run freely.
Greyhound intelligence
Greyhounds are intelligent and independent dogs with a wonderful temperament. They are friendly, never aggressive (some can be aloof towards strangers), loyal, and affectionate. Because they needed to hunt and run in groups, aggressiveness toward other dogs was almost eliminated from this breed.
However, this does not apply to other animals. Greyhounds have a strong prey drive, and they need to always be on a leash or properly fenced to prevent their attempts to take off after small animals. They have incredible eyesight with a 270-degree field of vision and can spot an animal that is a half-mile away. Still, with proper training, they can live with other pets.
These dogs form a special bond with their owners, love to be involved in everything that goes on in the family, and are quick to react to tensions in the home. These dogs are prone to suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone at home. They get along great with children.
They can be a little wary and aloof around strangers.
Socialization
Like every dog, the Greyhound needs early socialization. Socialization helps ensure that your puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. These dogs are independent and can be stubborn and thus need a firm, confident owner to work with them regularly.
While training your dog, keep in mind that these dogs can be very sensitive, so harsh training is not acceptable. Owners need to be calm yet possess an air of natural authority.
FUN FACT: Greyhounds often have problems with simple “sit” commands. Because of their muscle structure, sitting is not natural for them and that position is not very comfortable, so you can often see them sort of balancing on their tail.
Health problems
Greyhounds are typically a healthy and long-lived breed with a life expectancy of 10-13 years. However, some Greyhounds have been known to develop esophageal achalasia, bloat, osteosarcoma (an aggressive bone cancer), and hypothyroidism (a thyroid condition that can be treated with medication).
They are sensitive to anesthesia and drugs, including insecticides. Because of their lean physique, they need to be provided with soft bedding to sleep on. Without bedding, they are prone to develop painful skin sores.
World Dog Finder team
Updated at31.08.2023.
Share