Greyhound

Size
Medium (11kg - 27kg)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Low maintenance
Barking preference
Moderate
Personality
Independent + affectionate

1. Submitted by Justine Boreham. Photo by Animal Images

History

The exact historical origin of the Greyhound is unknown, although thought to be Africa, Greece, Middle East, or Turkey. Centuries of breeding have resulted in one of the most remarkable breeds of dog known to man. A very ancient breed, some say it dates back over 4,000 years ago, making it the oldest purebred canine. It is a sighthound, which has been historically bred for coursing game and now also for Greyhound racing.

Greyhounds primarily hunt by eyesight, as opposed to other canines, which use scent. Greyhounds have the ability to see distances up to half a mile away (805 metres). A characteristic of the sighthound is the instinct to chase, and Greyhounds are noted for reaching speeds up to 45 mph (73 kph) in three strides.

Greyhound-like canines have appeared throughout the centuries in artistry, pottery, literature and within the tombs of the ancient pyramids. Regardless of their exact lineage and name derivation, they are one of the more unique breeds in the world that are recognised for their elegant appearance, grace, gentleness, loyalty, agility and speed.

These remarkable creatures have been a symbol of pride and respect for many great civilisations. The following are just some of the impressions they have made throughout history:

The first evidence of long, lean canines resembling the Greyhound appeared in temple drawings in the city of Catal-Huyuk in Turkey, dating back to 6000 BC, depicting a Greyhound-like canine assisting a hunter.

Greyhounds were the most valuable possession of the Egyptian Pharaohs, including Cleopatra and King Tutankhamen, and were often carved into the walls of the tombs of Pharaohs or mummified alongside their masters. In ancient Egypt, the birth of a Greyhound was often second in importance to the birth of a son. Entire families would mourn the passing of a Greyhound by shaving their heads, fasting, and weeping out loud.

The first mention of any canine breed in literature dates back around 800 BC. In Greek literature, a book called “The Odyssey”, told the story of a man named Odysseus, who left home for 20 years. When he arrived home, the only one who recognised him was his Greyhound, “Argus”, who was only a puppy when he left.

The Greyhound is the only canine breed to be mentioned in The Bible, Proverbs 30: 29-31.

During the Middle Ages, Greyhounds nearly became extinct, due to famine and disease. Fortunately, priests and clergymen took special care to protect the Greyhounds and later bred them for noblemen.

Around the year 900, the King of Wales ordered that the punishment for the killing of a Greyhound was the same for the killing of a human ~ death.

In the year 1014, King Canute enacted the Forest Laws, stating only persons of nobility were permitted to own a Greyhound.

Appearance

Greyhounds come in colours that range from white to black, from brindle (“tiger striped”) to blue (“grey”), from fawn to red - and any combination of these colours and white.

The size of Greyhounds vary, depending on whether you choose a male or a female. Males weigh between 30 and 39 kilos, and females weigh between 21 and 30 kilos. Height at the shoulder is ideally: Dogs 71-76 cms (28-30 ins), Bitches 69-71 cms (27-28 ins). Greyhounds are very ‘small’ large dogs. They are almost cat-like in their ability to get into the smallest places and curl into the smallest ball.

Temperament

The modern day Greyhound still retains all the attributes that made it so treasured throughout the centuries. Known for their gentleness, patience, and sensitivity, they have personalities that want to please their families and to bond deeply with them. They are one of the most loyal companions, and extremely intelligent.

2. Submitted by Janet Ramsey. Pinnicle Photography

3. Submitted by Janet Ramsey. Pinnicle Photography

Health

Although large dogs, Greyhounds can live to be 12 to 14 years old. Since they are athletes, they tend to be a very healthy and robust breed. Greyhounds do not have any of the inherent health problems which some of the large breeds experience.

One important point to remember is that Greyhounds do not have the body fat that most canines have (less than 16%), which is less than half the amount of dogs of a similar weight in other breeds. Therefore Greyhounds cannot metabolise anaesthesia well. Be sure your vet is familiar with this fact, as the amount of anaesthesia given to a 35kg Dobermann would be fatal to a 35kg Greyhound!

Greyhounds should never be kept outside for an extended period of time. Due to their lack of body fat and very thin skin, they do not adjust well to very hot or very cold weather.

Suitability

Although Greyhounds do shed, it is very little. A rubdown with a damp rag or dog brush, will keep the shedding down to a minimum. They are very clean and do not have a "doggy" odour, unlike most other canines. Greyhounds tend to be better tolerated by those with allergies.

When properly introduced and managed, most can live in harmony with other pets, such as birds, cats, small animals, and other exotic pets.

Because they tend to take on the activity level of the household in which they live, Greyhounds may need as little as turn-outs in your fenced-in backyard, to a couple of daily walks. Basically, Greyhounds are “73 kph Couch Potatoes.”

Words: Wendye Slatyer

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Greyhound you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Greyhound and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 02 Mar 2010)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Strongly built, upstanding, of generous proportions, muscular power and symmetrical formation, with long head and neck, clean well laid shoulders, deep chest, capacious body, slightly arched loin, powerful quarters, sound legs and feet, and a suppleness of limb, which emphasise in a marked degree its distinctive type and quality.

Characteristics

Possessing remarkable stamina and endurance.

Temperament

Intelligent, gentle, affectionate and even tempered.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Long, moderate width, flat skull, slight stop. Jaws powerful and well chiselled.
Eyes	Bright, intelligent, oval and obliquely set. Preferably dark.
Ears	Small, rose-shaped of fine texture.
Mouth	Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck	Long and muscular, elegantly arched, well let into shoulders.
Forequarters	Shoulders oblique, well set back, muscular without being loaded, narrow and cleanly defined at top. Forelegs, long and straight, bone of good substance and quality. Elbows free and well set under shoulders. Pasterns moderate length, slightly sprung. Elbows, pasterns and toes inclining neither in nor out.
Body	Chest deep and capacious, providing adequate heart room. Ribs deep, well sprung and carried well back. Flanks well cut up. Back rather long, broad and square. Loin powerful, slightly arched.
Hindquarters	Thighs and second thighs, wide and muscular, showing great propelling power. Stifles well bent. Hocks well let down, inclining neither in nor out. Body and hindquarters, features of ample proportions and well coupled, enabling adequate ground to be covered when standing.
Feet	Moderate length, with compact, well-knuckled toes and strong pads.
Tail	Long, set on rather low, strong at root, tapering to point, carried low, slightly curved.
Gait/Movement	Straight, low reaching, free stride enabling the ground to be covered at great speed. Hind legs coming well under body giving great propulsion.
Coat	Fine and close.
Colour	Black, white, red, blue, fawn, fallow, brindle or any of these colours broken with white.
Size	Ideal Height:Dogs 71-76 cms (28-30 ins)Bitches 69-71 cms (27-28 ins)

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.