2 minute read
The Greyhound; an Egyptian treasure
BY: NEALIE SANCHEZ
Editor-In-Chief
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The history of Greyhounds dates back5,000 years to Egyptian pharaohs' dogs. The breed can be seen in ancient Egyptian art dated as early as 2,500 B.C.and is suspected to be featured in Homer's epic The Odyssey, which was written in the 8th century.
In the 1700s, Greyhounds becamepopularized for their prey hunting skillsin Europe following the Dark Ages,eventually becoming a breed onlyowned by royalty, according to GoldenGreyhounds dog rescue. Greyhoundsbecame the subject of art and literaturecapturing the attention of Chaucer andShakespeare both in the Renaissance.
William Shakespeare: Henry V
Once the age of enlightenment and industrialization put an end to the value of game hunting the Greyhound became a racing dog.
Across the pond
The breed eventually made their way to the U.S. where they were still adored for their speed and racing ability.
According to Grey2K USA Worldwide, the first recognized commercial Greyhound racetrack was built in Emeryville, Calif., in 1919 and featured a mechanical lure to replace the live lures used in the past. During this time, Greyhound racing was still deemed illegal. The organization also reports that by 1930 there were 67 illegal dog tracks across the U.S. Today, Greyhound racing is legal in six states.
The nitty gritty
Greyhounds are historically known for their aerodynamic bodies and being masters of speed. The American Kennel Club refers to the Greyhound?s unusual shape as an "inverted S." While the most commonly known coat color of a Greyhound is gray the breed is actually found in fawn, black, red, blue, white and various brindle patterns. The AKC classifies the temperament of the Greyhound as gentle, independent and noble.
FURRY FACTS
— Greyhounds are often called hypoallergenic dogs, but this is a myth that comes from the Greyhounds' lack of an undercoat.
— Greyhounds are the fastest dog breed, reaching speeds up to 45 mph.
— Celebrity YouTube couple Jenna and Julien adopted a rescue Greyhound in early 2019.
— Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th U.S. president owned a Greyhound named Grim.
— In 1929, Carl Earl Wickman changed the name of his bus company to Greyhound Corporation. According to the company's site, the Greyhound running dog logo has become one of the most recognized brands in the world.
— Greyhounds are the only breed of dog mentioned in the Bible by name.
No victory lap
One of the main struggles the breed faces is retirement. Once a racing Greyhound retires they find themselves abandoned, euthanized or sold to laboratories. Across the country, there are now several rescue organizations that save Greyhounds from these perils every day and care for them until they find their forever home.
A list of Texas Greyhound Rescues we trust:
Greyhound Adoption League of Texas -- galtx.org
Greyhound Rescue Society of Texas Inc. -- greyhoundsunlimited.org
Greyhound Rescue Austin -- greyhoundrescueaustin.com
A Place For Us Greyhounds -- aplaceforusgreyhounds.org
Twitter: @NealieSanchez
