Greyhound breed: the fastest dog in the world

The Greyhound was originally bred as a hunting dog to chase rabbits, foxes and deer. This breed can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h, so its performance is outstanding not only among dogs but also among all land animals.

The Greyhound (or English Greyhound) has incredible speed in pursuit of prey, which is why it is such a prized hunting dog. Nowadays it is more active in greyhound racing than hunting, but it is also a popular family pet. Retired racing dogs have not always been treated kindly over time, and many have ended up in shelters or on the streets. But as more and more of these dogs entered families, people realised that the breed was also perfect as a pet.

History

The Greyhound is one of the oldest breeds of dog, originating from the Middle East and North Africa and has won the admiration of many different cultures. The Greyhound was mentioned by the Greeks, often depicted by the Egyptians, praised by a Roman poet, and is the only breed of dog mentioned in the Bible. Legend has it that greyhounds travelled on Noah’s ark.

Greyhounds found their way to Europe in the Dark Ages. They were so revered for their hunting prowess that the laws of the time protected the royal game reserves by forbidding anyone living within 16 kilometres of the king’s forests from keeping greyhounds. Greyhound hunting was long a royal privilege, with only the upper classes allowed to keep such dogs. The price of an English greyhound was the equivalent of a serf’s, and sometimes people would pay their taxes in English greyhounds instead of money. And the penalty for killing such a dog was extremely severe, the same as for killing a man.

The Greyhound’s popularity in England has continued to grow, thanks to the popularity of coursing (the sport of chasing prey) and racing. Spanish explorers and British colonists brought them to the Americas, where they quickly spread, chasing rabbits and coyotes across the open plains. The Greyhound is a hunting dog that follows its prey with its eyes, not its nose (sighthound/scenthound).

Its speed soon attracted the interest of the Hungarians, and at one time Hungarian Greyhounds were crossed with (English) Greyhounds to increase their speed. Some people believe that this is why the ancient Hungarian Greyhound no longer exists. The latter, however, are thought to be one of the few dog breeds that have changed very little over time. Racing greyhounds are slightly smaller than those intended as family pets, but the latter can still be extremely fast.

The Greyhound was one of the first breeds to appear at dog shows in the US, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed as early as 1885. The first official coursing competition took place in 1886 and the National Coursing Association was founded in the United States in 1906. Greyhound racing has boomed and is still popular in many places, although it is a controversial sport because so many dogs are abandoned, put down or sold to laboratories if they don’t do well on the track.

Breed standard

The Greyhound is a large breed of dog with a muscular, symmetrical and proportionate build. Its head is long, moderately broad and the jaws are strong. The eyes are intelligent, bright and dark in colour. His ears are small rose ears. Neck long and muscular with an elegant curve. Chest deep and broad, with a firmly risen softness. The muzzle is long and broad. Limbs muscular, strong. Tail long, slightly deep set, thinning towards the tip.

Coat fine, dense, close-fitting and short. It can be of many colours, black, white, red, blue, earthy, fawn, striped or one of these colours with white. Height at withers 68-76 cm, depending on sex. Body weight approximately 27-32 kg. Life expectancy 10-14 years.

Character

Nowadays Greyhounds are involved in many other dog sports, including coursing, obedience and agility. In addition to their sensitivity and speed, people love them for their kind, gentle nature. Fans of the breed often claim that these dogs have two speeds: full sprint and couch lounging. However, they are quite sensitive to extreme weather and loneliness. They are not dogs to be left alone for long hours. All they need is love, care and exercise, and in return they will be loyal, loving companions for life.

Greyhounds generally have a wonderful temperament, are friendly and non-aggressive, although some can be reserved around strangers. These dogs are intelligent and independent, but they also have a sensitive side and react quickly to tensions in the home. They can be wary of mistreatment, even if it is unintentional. They can easily take on their owner’s emotions.

Ideal environment

Many people assume that it must be difficult to live with a Greyhound, as it would probably just run around all day, and almost no one has a big enough garden or time to do that. Well, in fact, greyhounds are very lazy pets who spend most of the day sleeping on the sofa. But it’s also important to remember that they were born to run, so they need plenty of exercise, preferably in a large fenced area.

They get on well with children, but may chase cats or small pets because of their hunting instinct. For this reason, walking them outdoors without a lead is not recommended at all.

Care

For Greyhounds have short, smooth fur that is easy to groom. They need to be brushed once a week to get rid of dead hairs. They rarely need bathing. If their claws do not wear at a proper rate, they should be trimmed. Their ears and eyes should also be kept clean.

Common health problems

The breed is generally healthy, but can sometimes have problems. Some individuals may be sensitive to certain anaesthetic drugs or the stress of hospitalisation. Many breeds are more likely to bloat, with volvulus being a more serious consequence. The breed is more likely to suffer from bone cancer, usually in one leg. They have a large heart and often have cardiac murmur. They may also have higher blood pressure. Healthy Greyhounds may have thrombocytopenia and lower or higher than normal TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)-level.

(Literature used: János Szinák – István Veress: A világ kutyái I., David Alderton: Kutyák, Joan Palmer: Advisor’s Guide to Choosing a Large Dog, Dr. Pál Sárkány: János Szinák – István Veress: Dog Guide, Paul McGreevy: Dogs, Sarah Whitehead – Beverly Cuddy: Dogs).