This year’s Olympics has seen many new records achieved as elite athletes have competed in the world of sports. This month we thought we would take a look at a breed that is an athlete of the dog world. The Greyhound is the fastest dog breed and when running can reach speeds of 45mph. In the animal world only the cheetah can beat them.
History: The Greyhound can be found engraved on the tombs of Pharaohs and other Egyptian, Asian and African leaders dating as far back as 400BC when they were one of the most highly favoured dogs. They were used for coursing antelopes, wolves and deer. Over the years the Greyhound popularity spread through the East and Europe. When they arrived in Britain they were a status symbol and in 1016 only the elite were allowed to own a greyhound. The Canute Law depicted ‘No meane person may keep any greyhounds.’ They were used for sports events for coursing hares. The Greyhound is the most common heraldic dog to be found in the coats of arms of both Charles V of France and Henry VIII of England. In more recent years and today many Greyhounds are used for track racing, which has many supporters but also a lot of opposition too.
Many ex racers end up in rescue centres after they become injured or past their best. Ones less fortunate are killed, some humanely, some not. Campaigners are active calling for better legislation to protect the racing Greyhound’s welfare.
Class: Hound
Height: Males 71 – 76cms ( 28 – 30ins) Females 69 – 71cms ( 27 – 28ins)
Weight: Males 30 – 32kgs ( 66 – 71lbs ) Females 27 – 30kgs ( 60 – 66lbs )
Lifespan: 9 – 15yrs
Coat: The Greyhound has a fine and close coat, the KC Standard colours are Black, White, Red, Blue, Fawn, Fallow, Brindle, or any of these colours broken with White.
Health: Generally healthy but can be prone to bloat. They must have a soft bed to lay on as due to their skeleton they can develop sores and in winter they do need a coat when going out as they tend to feel the cold easily.
Temperament & Exercise: Greyhounds are affectionate, intelligent and gentle dogs. On walks you can’t take the scent instinct out of the hound and it would have to be an exceptionally trained Greyhound to come back on recall. For this reason it is advisable to keep them on a lead when out and about. At home these athletic dogs surprisingly are usually couch potatoes and like a sedate life with two 20-30mins walks a day sufficient. This year’s Olympics has seen many new records achieved as elite athletes have competed in the world of sports. This month we thought we would take a look at a breed that is an athlete of the dog world. The Greyhound is the fastest dog breed and when running can reach speeds of 45mph. In the animal world only the cheetah can beat them.
History: The Greyhound can be found engraved on the tombs of Pharaohs and other Egyptian, Asian and African leaders dating as far back as 400BC when they were one of the most highly favoured dogs. They were used for coursing antelopes, wolves and deer. Over the years the Greyhound popularity spread through the East and Europe. When they arrived in Britain they were a status symbol and in 1016 only the elite were allowed to own a greyhound. The Canute Law depicted ‘No meane person may keep any greyhounds.’ They were used for sports events for coursing hares. The Greyhound is the most common heraldic dog to be found in the coats of arms of both Charles V of France and Henry VIII of England. In more recent years and today many Greyhounds are used for track racing, which has many supporters but also a lot of opposition too.
Many ex racers end up in rescue centres after they become injured or past their best. Ones less fortunate are killed, some humanely, some not. Campaigners are active calling for better legislation to protect the racing Greyhound’s welfare.
Class: Hound
Height: Males 71 – 76cms ( 28 – 30ins) Females 69 – 71cms ( 27 – 28ins)
Weight: Males 30 – 32kgs ( 66 – 71lbs ) Females 27 – 30kgs ( 60 – 66lbs )
Lifespan: 9 – 15yrs
Coat: The Greyhound has a fine and close coat, the KC Standard colours are Black, White, Red, Blue, Fawn, Fallow, Brindle, or any of these colours broken with White.
Health: Generally healthy but can be prone to bloat. They must have a soft bed to lay on as due to their skeleton they can develop sores and in winter they do need a coat when going out as they tend to feel the cold easily.
Temperament & Exercise: Greyhounds are affectionate, intelligent and gentle dogs. On walks you can’t take the scent instinct out of the hound and it would have to be an exceptionally trained Greyhound to come back on recall. For this reason it is advisable to keep them on a lead when out and about. At home these athletic dogs surprisingly are usually couch potatoes and like a sedate life with two 20-30mins walks a day sufficient.
