Greyhound Fun Facts

The Greyhound is an extremely powerful and muscular dog. The breed has a long, slim tail and legs. The chest is narrow and deep, while the waist is extremely slender. The breed also has a long and narrow head, neck and muzzle giving the Greyhound an aerodynamic body. They have a large heart, lungs and muscles required for its famous double suspension gallop. The ears of a greyhound fold flat against its neck when running, similar to the wings on a departing bird or plane.

Tall and lean, the Greyhound is the worlds fastest breed of dog. As a sight hound, the breed pursues game using its vision and speed. Today, however, the Greyhound primarily serves as a sweet and personable companion. The breed can be any color, including black, fawn and red, often combined with white or brindle markings. The Greyhound has been owned by many prominent figures in history, including President Rutherford B. Hayes and General George A. Custer.

The greyhound has his eyes well positioned at the sides of his head giving him a far wider field of view than other dogs (270 degrees versus 180 degrees.)  They are sight hounds and can spot movement up to half a mile away.

Greyhound racing became popular in the 1920’s as the aerodynamic build and size of the breed allows them to be the fastest dogs in the world. The Greyhound can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour in less than two seconds! Greyhounds are undoubtedly the best sprinters, not only in the dog world, but any world, having the fastest acceleration of any land animal on earth, topped only by the Cheetah.

A Look Back
One of the most ancient breeds known to man, evidence of the Greyhound was first discovered in tomb carvings in Egypt dating back to 2900 B.C. Aristocracy and culture has always surrounded the Greyhound, and in early times, only royalty bred them. As hunters in England, they were used on practically all kinds of game from deer, stags and foxes, but the hare is the Greyhound’s natural quarry. In America, Greyhounds arrived with the Spanish explorers in the 1500s and were among the first dogs recorded at American dog shows.

Although the breed is extremely athletic and fast, they are surprisingly mellow. They are not as hyperactive as is commonly believed, nor do they require constant exercise. They are often referred to as 45 mile per hour couch potatoes. Greyhounds are one of the most common rescue breeds in the world, due to the fact that racetracks will otherwise euthanize (kill) them after they are too old or slow to race any longer. Most adoption groups prefer that the retired dogs go to rural homes or homes with large properties, as the breed tends to have a strong hunting drive, and will take off after prey. However, a Greyhound is just as happy in a small house. The breed is a pack animal and is happiest when there are people or other large animals around for companionship.

Is A Greyhound Right For You?
Although a loving companion, the Greyhound possesses the typical independent spirit of the hound, so patient training is necessary. They enjoy the company of their families as well as other dogs. The breed’s short, smooth coat is easy to maintain. Due to the Greyhound’s athleticism, they need daily exercise, but should be kept on leash or in a fenced area due to their tendency to run. Greyhounds have a definite prey instinct. Some tend to chase anything that moves quickly, due to this, some are not suitable to live with cats or other small animals.