The Greyhound: A look at the history and unique character of the fastest dog breed in the world.
The Greyhound, also known as the “prototype sighthound”, is a fascinating dog breed with a rich history and a remarkable character. In this article, we take a closer look at the history of this noble breed and its characteristic traits.
The history of the Greyhound
The Greyhound’s roots go back to ancient Egypt, where drawings of dogs resembling today’s Greyhound were found in 4th Dynasty tombs. It is believed that the ancestors of this breed originated in the Middle East and were already widespread in Europe and the Middle East in ancient times.
It is not clear exactly when the dogs came to England. Some sources assume that they arrived on Phoenician trading ships, others believe that the Celts brought them to the British Isles in 375 BC. The name “Greyhound” itself has several possible origins, from the grey color to terms like “gradus” for speed or old words like “grech” for dog.
Over the centuries, the Greyhound became a status symbol of the nobility in England. It was prized as a heraldic dog and featured on the coats of arms of King Charles V of France and King Henry VIII of England. It was mainly used for hunting small game such as hares and rabbits because of its speed.
Towards the end of the Middle Ages, the Greyhound was also used for coursing, in which two dogs chased a live hare in a race. When this sport was banned due to its brutality, Greyhounds found their way onto the racetrack, where they shone as the fastest dogs in the world.
The greyhound as a racing dog
On the racetrack, the Greyhound established itself as the undisputed champion. With speeds of between 65 and 73 km/h, it became the fastest dog in the world after the cheetah. His abilities not only made his owners rich, some dogs also became legends. “Master McGrath”, for example, only lost one race during his entire racing career, when he collapsed in the ice of a frozen stream.
Despite their fame on the racetrack, many Greyhounds met a sad fate after their active time. If they no longer brought in winnings, they were doomed to die. Some, however, became legends of their kind, such as “Low Pressure”, who is considered the most fertile dog of all time and produced the astonishing number of 2414 registered puppies during his breeding career.
Nature and character
Away from the racetrack, the greyhound presents itself as a loving and sensitive companion. Its calm and friendly nature makes it particularly family-friendly, especially with children. Despite its hunting instinct, the Greyhound is basically rather lazy and relaxed.
They are easy to train if they get enough exercise. Their innate hunting instinct makes it difficult to let them run off the lead, which is why exercise opportunities in a racing or coursing club are ideal. They are reserved towards strangers, but friendly and affectionate towards their family.
With its slim, elegant build and silky coat, the Greyhound is not only the fastest dog in the world, but also a charming member of the family. From ancient times to the present day, the Greyhound has traveled an impressive journey and remains a fascinating breed that impresses not only with its speed, but also with its gentleness and love.
New dog breed descriptions in a quick overview