Greyhound is one of the world’s swiftest dogs may also be one of the world’s oldest breeds. The Greyhound’s history dates back 4,000 to 7,000 years, depending on which historian you choose to believe. Egypt is the Greyhound’s country of origin and even before the advent of Christianity, it was taken by traders to Europe, the Orient and Britain. The breed was valued as a hunter of stag, gazelle, fox and hare, so when hare coursing was introduced as a British sport in the 16th century, the Greyhound was a natural participant. Later, when dog races became popular, the Greyhound, clocked at speeds in excess of 40 mph, was in his element. The Greyhound is believed to be the progenitor of several other sighthound breeds.
Temperament: Alert, responsive and somewhat sensitive, the Greyhound makes a clean and quiet family pet dog. Capable of great bursts of speed, the Greyhound should have plenty of safe running room to stretch his long limbs. But the breed is calm and quiet in the home.
Size: Dogs, 65-70 lb. (29-32 kg); bitches, 60-65 lb. (27-29 kg).
Coat and Colour: Coat short, smooth, and firm in texture. Colour immaterial.
Head: Long and narrow, fairly wide between the ears, scarcely perceptible stop, little or no development of nasal sinuses, good length of muzzle, which should be powerful without coarseness. Teeth very strong and even in front. Eyes dark, bright, intelligent, indicating spirit. Ears small and fine in texture, thrown back and folded, except when excited, when they are semi-pricked.
Neck: Long, muscular, without throatiness, slightly arched, and widening gradually into the shoulder.
Forequarters: Shoulders placed as obliquely as possible, muscular without being loaded. Forelegs perfectly straight, set well into the shoulder, neither turned in nor out, pasterns strong.
Body: Back muscular and broad, well arched. Chest deep, and as wide as consistent with speed, fairly well-sprung ribs. Loins have good depth of muscle, well cut up in the flanks.
Hindquarters: Long, very muscular and powerful, wide and well let down, well-bent stifles. Hocks well bent and rather close to ground, wide but straight fore and aft. Feet hard and close, rather more hare than cat-feet, well knuckled up with good strong claws.
Tail: Long, fine, and tapering with a slight upward curve.
Greyhound colours
