The Greyhound’s svelte build and powerful legs allows it to reach speeds of up to forty-three miles per hour. Often used as a racing dog, the breed was traditionally bred as a hunting dog. However, more recently the Greyhound has become a popular family pet, known for its intelligence, docile nature and loyalty.
Origin of The Breed
Greyhounds are related to herding dogs. They were introduced to the United Kingdom from as early as the 5th or 6th century BC. Their excellent eyesight and agility made them perfect for hunting dogs. The name comes from old English and it is said that grey does not refer to its colour, but instead it means fair.
Typical Appearance
A male Greyhound will reach a height of 28-30” (71-76cm) and will weigh between 60-88lbs (27-40kg). Females, on the other hand, tend to be smaller. Bitches will tend to be 27-28” (68-71cm) in height, and weigh between 60-75lbs (27-34kg).
Greyhounds have a very fine smooth coat which will not require excessive amounts of grooming. As with all dogs there is a certain amount of molting, but because Greyhounds do not have an undercoat they do not tend to trigger allergies.
Temperament
Renowned for their speed, Greyhounds are actually quite lazy. They are sprinters, but do not require lots of exercise. Most Greyhounds are happy with only half an hour of walking per day. They do not have high-energy levels and do not require exercise to stay in trim.
Greyhounds are an extremely pack oriented breed, which means that they bond very quickly with their owners. They are known for being extremely affectionate and loyal. This does mean that if left alone they can develop separation anxiety. For a family that has plenty of time, they make wonderful pets.
They are happy to share their home with other pets and are excellent with children. Contrary to popular belief they are not full of energy. Greyhounds that have not been bred for racing are not hyperactive, neither are retired racing dogs. In fact, they can often be very lethargic.
Health and Longevity
Therefore, they do not necessarily need a large living environment. They do, however, need to be housed indoors. Their lack of undercoat means they need to be kept warm in cold conditions. It is also vital that Greyhounds have a well-padded area for sleeping. The dog’s slender physique make it prone to sores when laying on hard surfaces.
The Greyhound is a generally healthy dog, with few health issues. On average a Greyhound will live to the age of 12-15.
Samantha Markham - Samantha Markham is a professional freelance writer with a particular passion for literary and theatrical subjects.
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