Other names: English Greyhound.
The Greyhound is a breed of dog, a sighthound which has been bred for coursing game and greyhound racing. Since the rise in large-scale adoption of retired racing Greyhounds, the breed has seen a resurgence in popularity as a family pet. It is also referred to as an English Greyhound.
According to Merriam-Webster, a Greyhound is “any of a breed of tall slender graceful smooth-coated dogs characterized by swiftness and keen sight”, as well as “any of several related dogs”, such as the Italian Greyhound.
It is a gentle and intelligent breed whose combination of long, powerful legs, deep chest, flexible spine, and slim build allows it to reach average race speeds exceeding 64 kilometers per hour (40 mph). The Greyhound can reach a full speed of 70 kilometers per hour (43 mph) within 30 meters (98 ft), or six strides from the boxes, traveling at almost 20 meters per second (66 ft/s) for the first 250 meters (820 ft) of a race.
Appearance
Males are usually 71 to 76 centimeters (28 to 30 in) tall at the withers and weigh on average 27 to 40 kilograms (60 to 88 lb). Females tend to be smaller, with shoulder heights ranging from 66 to 71 centimeters (26 to 28 in) and weights from 25 to 34 kilograms (55 to 75 lb), although weights can be above and below these average weights. Greyhounds have very short fur, which is easy to maintain. There are approximately thirty recognized color forms, of which variations of white, brindle, fawn, black, red, and blue (gray) can appear uniquely or in combination. Greyhounds are dolichocephalic, with a skull which is relatively long in comparison to its breadth, and an elongated muzzle.
Temperament
Greyhounds can be aloof and indifferent to strangers but are affectionate with those they come to know. They are generally very docile, lazy, easy-going, and calm.
Greyhounds wear muzzles during racing, which can lead some to believe they are aggressive dogs, but this is not true. Muzzles are worn to prevent injuries resulting from dogs nipping one another during or immediately after a race when the ‘hare’ has disappeared out of sight and the dogs are no longer racing but remain excited.
Contrary to popular belief, adult Greyhounds do not need extended periods of daily exercise, as they are bred for sprinting rather than endurance. Greyhound puppies that have not been taught how to utilize their energy, however, can be hyperactive and destructive if not given an outlet, and therefore require more experienced handlers.
History
The ancient skeletal remains of a dog identified as being of the greyhound/Saluki form was excavated at Tell Brak in modern Syria, and dated to approximately 4,000 years before present.
While similar in appearance to Saluki or Sloughi, DNA sequencing indicates that the greyhound is more closely related to herding dogs. This suggests that Greyhounds are either progenitors or descendants of herding types. Historical literature by Arrian on the vertragus (from the Latin vertragus, a word of Celtic origin), the first recorded sighthound in Europe, and the possible antecedent of the Greyhound suggested that its origin lies with the Celts from Eastern Europe or Eurasia. Systematic archaeozoology of the British Isles, 1974 ruled out the existence of a true greyhound-type in Britain prior to the Roman occupation, confirmed in 2000. Written evidence of the historic time, the Vindolanda tablets (No 594), from the early period of Roman occupation demonstrates that the occupying troops from Continental Europe either had with them in the North of England or certainly knew of the vertragus and its hunting use.
All modern pedigree Greyhounds derive from the Greyhound stock recorded and registered first in private studbooks in the 18th century, then in public studbooks in the 19th century, which ultimately were registered with coursing, racing, and kennel club authorities of the United Kingdom. Historically, these sighthounds were used primarily for hunting in the open where their pursuit speed and keen eyesight were essential.
The name “Greyhound” is generally believed to come from the Old English grig hund. “Hund” is the antecedent of the modern “hound”, but the meaning of “grig” is undetermined, other than in reference to dogs in Old English and Old Norse. Its origin does not appear to have any common root with the modern word “grey” for color, and indeed the Greyhound is seen with a wide variety of coat colors. The lighter colors, patch-like markings, and white appeared in the breed that was once ordinarily grey in color. The Greyhound is the only dog mentioned by name in the Bible; many versions, including the King James version, name the Greyhound as one of the “four things stately” in the Proverbs. However, some newer biblical translations, including The New International Version, have changed this to strutting rooster, which appears to be an alternative translation of the Hebrew term mothen zarzir. However, the Douay–Rheims Bible translation from the late 4th-century Latin Vulgate into English translates this term as “a cock.”
According to Pokorny the English name “Greyhound” does not mean “grey dog/hound”, but simply “fair dog”. Subsequent words have been derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *g’her- “shine, twinkle”: English grey, Old High German gris “grey, old,” Old Icelandic griss “piglet, pig,” Old Icelandic gryja “to dawn,” gryjandi “morning twilight,” Old Irish grian “sun,” Old Church Slavonic zorja “morning twilight, brightness.” The common sense of these words is “to shine; bright.”
In 1928, the first winner of Best in Show at Crufts was breeder/owner Mr. H. Whitley’s Greyhound Primley Sceptre.
A group of greyhounds is called a “leash,” or sometimes a “brace.