Greyhound Dog Breed

History

Tracing back over 8,000 years, Greyhounds are one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. They have been depicted in early cave drawings and ancient Egyptian artifacts. Various explanations have been debated over the origin of the name Greyhound. One of these suggestions is that the original Greyhound was mainly grey in colour. Another explanation is that the name originates from the Old English "grei," meaning dog, and "hundr," meaning hunter. The name could also come from the term Greekhound because the dog breed first arrived in England through the Greeks.

Whatever the origin of the name is, the Greyhound we know today closely resembles the aristocratic dog portrayed in art and literature throughout history. This dog breed has long been linked with royalty. In fact, English law commanded that no "mean person" be permitted to have a Greyhound from the 11th to the 14th century. Furthermore, in Ancient Egypt and Greece, they were revered as Gods and only people of royal blood were allowed to own them. They were also regularly depicted alongside paintings and portraits of Gods and Goddesses. For example, Hecate, the Goddess of Wealth, was often accompanied by a Greyhound. In addition, Greyhounds are the only dog breed to be mentioned in the Bible.

During the Middle Ages, Greyhounds were at risk of extinction due to the spread of famine and disease. However, they were thankfully saved by priests who bred them for noblemen.

For thousands of years, this fantastic dog breed was bred to hunt by outrunning their prey. Greyhounds can run at speeds of over 40 miles per hour! They are also very agile and athletic, with the skill to manoeuvre effortlessly and anticipate every move of their prey.

In 1912, a mechanical lure was designed by Owen Patrick Smith in North America. This was the birth of Greyhound track racing. The first track to use this device with Greyhounds was the Miami Kennel Club in Florida in 1923. Even today, Florida remains the leading state for Greyhound racing across America.

During this time, the Greyhound started to split into racing and show varieties, which began to differ in appearance over the years. Racing Greyhounds tend to be slim and long-legged, show Greyhounds are generally stockier. An all-out effort to find homes for retired racers has recently elevated the public's appreciation of the dog breed's great pet potential.

Personality

Greyhounds have very gentle and quiet natures. Because it was necessary for the Greyhound to hunt and chase in groups, aggressiveness towards other dogs is very rare. This dog breed does have a strong prey drive and so may not be fit for homes with small pets such as rabbits.

Greyhounds are usually accepting of children. Being non-aggressive, they will generally walk away from irritation rather than snap. Despite their excellent athletic skill, Greyhounds are rather happy to devote most of their day to sleeping. Surprisingly, these dogs need less exercise than many other dog breeds. However, it's still important to give them 30 minutes to an hour of exercise daily. They love to explore the great outdoors just make sure they are kept on a leash until fully trained because they can easily be distracted by a rabbit or roaming cat.

Greyhounds are friendly animals. They can be left alone for short periods because they enjoy a little bit of independence. However, they shouldn’t be left alone all day because they can get stressed easily. As pack dogs, Greyhounds flourish around other animals that match their nature and characteristics. They also do better in homes where someone is around for most of the day.

Coat & Care

Greyhounds have short, coarse coats that shed minimally. They should be brushed at least 1-2 times a week however, daily brushing will help to remove dead hairs and increase the human-dog bond. Greyhounds love being massaged with a rubber curry brush. Use a vet-approved dry dog shampoo when bathing to keep their coat clean and in good condition.

Due to their delicate skin, you must supervise interactions with other dogs to ensure no one gets injured. They also require thick comfy bedding to sleep on which will protect their delicate frames. Greyhounds are prone to getting chilly in cold weather so make sure they have a coat to wear.

Keep their ears clean and free of dirt, debris, and wax buildup. Never insert anything into their ear canal like cotton swabs. Just clean around their outer ear. Their ears must be checked weekly for foul odour or inflammation. Should you notice anything, contact your vet immediately, as these can be a sign of an ear infection.

This dog breed's teeth require the most dedicated dental care because they are prone to developing dental problems. So, regular brushing, at least 3 times a week, is essential if you want to keep their mouths healthy.

Trim their nails once or twice a month if they don’t wear them down naturally to avoid painful tears and other problems. Their toenails have blood vessels in them - if you cut too far, it can cause bleeding. So, if you have no experience in trimming dog nails, it’s better to ask a vet or groomer for pointers.

Children & Other Pets

Greyhounds are known to be laid back and patient with children. They have also been known to tread carefully around toddlers. Saying that, this dog breed does best in households with older children who know how to treat dogs properly because of the fragile bone structure of Greyhounds.

As with every dog breed, you should always explain to children how to approach and treat dogs. Always supervise any exchanges between dogs and young kids to avoid any biting, ear, or tail pulling.

While Greyhounds do very well with other dogs, there is a possibility that they could view smaller cats, dogs, or other small pets as prey. Some may have a much lower prey drive compared to others. But it is always best to supervise your Greyhound around smaller animals.