THE ENGLISH GREYHOUND

BRED FOR SPEED

This impressive canine breed is built for hunting and racing. These swift and dignified dogs sparkle with intelligence and have captured many hearts over the years; despite their sleek, race-car-like appearance, they're a relaxed and easy-going addition to any home, making them perfect family pets.

Greyhound overview

Greyhounds are sighthounds, meaning they depend on their eyes more than their noses to track prey. That's not to say that sighthounds have a diminished sense of smell; they just have exceptional eyesight, which they use to spot prey over long distances. Alongside their ability to spot small animals from afar, they have the speed to catch them and the endurance to track their prey over a long distance. A Greyhound can reach speeds of over 60km an hour over short distances. They may be no match for a cheetah, but Greyhounds have been dubbed 'the fastest dogs in the world.' Today, Greyhounds are mainly bred for coursing, racing, showing, and companionship.

Many popular breeds of dog are said to descend from the ancient Greyhounds, including the following:

1. Italian Greyhound: The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the Greyhound family. Weighing only 7kg, they're the perfect miniature version of the standard Greyhound. This is a relatively modern breed, and they are bred more for lap dogging and less for hunting. Italian Greyhounds have the same loving temperament as their larger counterparts and make excellent family pets. Although they still have a strong prey drive, they love chasing things for fun rather than making a whole day of it.

2. Spanish Greyhound: The Spanish Greyhound is slightly smaller than the Standard Greyhound and weighs in at a maximum of 27kg. These Greyhounds have slightly longer ears and thinner, sharper faces. The ancient Egyptians often depicted animals on their tombs, and it's thought that one of the dogs commonly depicted is a version of the Spanish Greyhound.

3. Afghan Hound: Perhaps the most striking of all the Greyhound descendants, this breed caught the attention of painters Picasso and Salvador Dali and singer Marianne Faithful. Even the iconic Barbie has an Afghan Hound named Beauty.

4. Arabic Greyhound: These Greyhounds are also known as 'Sloughi' and were first bred in Northern Africa. Unlike the other Greyhounds, Sloighi come in one single colour, normally grey or tan. These dogs are exceptionally vocal and are often used as guard dogs on farmsteads.

5. Scottish Deerhound: The Scottish Greyhound or Scottish Deerhound is closely related and similar in appearance to the Irish Wolfhound. The Deerhound was bred to hunt red deer in Scotland and has a wiry, low- maintenance coat. Scottish Deerhounds are unsuitable for urban living and need space to run and play. This breed can mature to a whopping 81cm and weigh over 45kg. They're brave and athletic — able to take down prey almost three times their size.

6. Russian Greyhound: The Russian Greyhound, aka 'Borzoi', came about by breeding an Afghan Hound and a long-haired sheepdog. Borzoi means 'fast' in archaic Russian, and the name was given to any tall, long-haired hunting dog in Russia at the time. Borzoi were bred in Russia for hundreds of years by nobility and were used for hunting foxes, wolves, and hare on the Russian planes. In fact, the breed was initially called the Russian Wolfhound due to its ability to hunt wolves.

7. Persian Greyhound: Also called Salukis, these gorgeous greyhounds have low-hanging, long and silky ears, giving them a very distinctive look. Their coat is longer and feathered compared to standard Greyhounds. Salukis are thought to be one of the oldest dog breeds; they were bred by nobility to hunt with strength and grace. Their tremendous agility and speed made them suitable for hunting animals as large as the gazelle.

8. Whippets: Whippets are essentially smaller versions of the English Greyhound. They have all the same features and are lightning-fast! This breed is popular among Greyhound owners as they're docile and don't need much space. Yet, as relaxed as Whippets are, take their lead off, and you will see a true sighthound in action. Whippets were bred to hunt rabbits, used as show dogs and for amateur dog racing. They are considered medium-sized and can grow to around 48cm, weighing up to 16 kg for larger males.

Greyhound history

The Greyhound is an ancient breed that originated in the Middle East and North Africa, and for centuries, members of the nobility have sported these elegant hounds by their sides. Greyhounds have made an impression on many cultures. In ancient Egypt, approximately 5000 years ago, Greyhound-like dogs were used to detect and capture wildlife in the Egyptian deserts. They were so revered that Pharaohs made statues of their dogs and buried them in tombs like royalty. Greyhounds were also immortalised in Greek Mythology. Then, in the Dark Ages, Greyhounds made their way to Europe. They were banned from being kept within 10 miles of the King's land at the time, as they proved to be such spectacular hunters. Greyhounds were then the first European dogs to be brought to America. On Christopher Columbus' second trip to North America in 1493, he brought the Greyhound and Mastiff. In his play, 'Henry V', Shakespeare captures the demeanour of English soldiers going to war and likens it to Greyhound's behaviour before a race.

Aside from hunting, Greyhounds were also used as sporting dogs. Greek writing depicts Greyhound coursing as early as 150 AD. Coursing is the sport of sighthounds, where two or more sighthounds chase hare or small game over an open field. Coursing became popular in the British Isles in the 1600s, when Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, drew up the first set of rules.

Living with a Greyhound

Greyhounds are perfect for a full-family home. They're sociable and affectionate and thrive off the comings and goings of their family members. Although their superior athleticism allows them to reach speeds of over 60km an hour, they love nothing more than to spend the day lounging around at home.

The Greyhound is a hunting dog at heart, so sharing a home with rabbits and other small creatures is a no-go. They have, however, been known to get along well with cats. It is also worth noting that as sighthounds, they are constantly on the lookout for prey, so keeping your Greyhound on a well-fenced-off property is a must to prevent him from chasing the neighbour's cat or local rabbit population. The same goes for trips to the park — hold on tight, for your Greyhound could dart off at any moment, leaving you in a cloud of dust.

walk is ample. Like sprinters, they prefer short, highintensity training sessions. A good run, with the opportunity to safely sprint flat out, or a nice hike would be considered a wonderful day out for a Greyhound.

Handy Greyhound facts:

• Greyhounds are the fastest dog breed in the world: The top three fastest breeds in the world are all descended from the original, with the Saluki and Afghan Hound taking the second and third spots.

• Short-haired greyhounds: Short-haired Greyhounds don't do well in miserable weather and require suitable attire when it's chilly or raining.

• Be careful where you let your Greyhound offleash: Greyhounds have an incredible prey drive. The instant they spot something worth chasing, they will bolt as if on a real hunt. These powerful dogs can reach speeds of 60km per hour, so there's no chance of catching up to him on foot.

• Don't use electric fencing: A Greyhound's prey drive is so strong that he would risk electrocution to catch the object of his desire.

• Greyhounds are friendly: Greyhounds are very social dogs and get along with other canines and family members. They enjoy being part of a larger pack and don't like being left by themselves for long.

Greyhound health

Greyhounds are generally healthy breeds, but like with all breeds, there are a few things to look out for that are specific to Greyhounds:

• Bloat: Greyhounds are deep-chested and are prone to bloat and gastric torsion. Bloat is a severe and often fatal condition in which the stomach becomes enlarged and then predisposed to twisting.

• Eye conditions: Greyhounds suffer from two major eye conditions: Punnus and Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Both conditions can cause blindness. It is important to check your dog's eyes regularly for any changes.

• Injuries: Like all athletes, Greyhounds are susceptible to injuries. Some common Greyhound injuries include muscle tears, bone fractures and toe injuries. Inspect your Greyhound's legs after having a run around to spot any problems early and avoid further damage developing.

Is a Greyhound, the right dog for you?

A Greyhound might be the right dog for you if:

With so many dog breeds out there and each breed being different from the others, it's often difficult to choose a dog breed. We say try them all, but there are only so many dog years in one human lifetime. Read on to find out if a Greyhound is the right breed for you.

• You want to feel like an ancient noble with a Greyhound by your side.

• You have a completely fenced-off and secure garden.

• You have a safe place for a Greyhound to run and play daily.

• You live in the city — as long as you take your Greyhound for regular walks, they adapt well to city living.

• You have a lot of strangers over to the house; Greyhounds are generally not people aggressive but can be timid if not socialised early enough.

• You enjoy playing extreme fetch. Make sure you get a ball launcher to save your arm from repetitive strain injuries!

A Greyhound might not be the right dog for you if:

• You don't have the time for one proper play session a day, as although they're docile, these dogs do need daily exercise.

• You have a property border that is not robustly secured; these dogs are determined to chase any small creatures they see, so make sure they have very secure fencing to keep them safe.

• You live in places with extreme cold weather; Greyhounds don't do well in chilly weather, so make sure to wrap them up tightly.

• You prefer a relaxed dog that won't try and dart off every time a rabbit crosses your path.

Final thoughts

Having a Greyhound in your home is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Their docile temperaments and extreme athleticism make for an interesting juxtaposition, and there's no way to stop yourself from falling in love with their dignified expressions, especially when they act like total goofballs. The Greyhound aesthetic is as noble and distinguished as their ancestors. As a hunting dog, this breed is a force to be reckoned with, but in your home, he's a sleek and beautiful ball of affection you'll look forward to coming home to every day.