Introduction To The Greyhound

The modern greyhound is strikingly similar to an ancient breed of sighthounds depicted in Egyptian hieroglyphs on temple walls dating from roughly 6000 BC and probably the most commonly accepted. Many adoption groups and greyhound enthusiasts proudly boast."An ancient breed dating back to ancient Egypt." However the greyhound's origin is one that is confusing at best. The Romans believed they came from Gaul, home of the Celts. The Celts on the other hand believed they came from Greece and as such called them "Greek Hounds." Still others prefer a simpler explanation -- the original color of the dogs was gray and the name means nothing more than gray dog.

This confusion suggests at least that greyhound-type dogs didn't originate in Gaul or Greece, but probably in the semi-arid lands of North Africa and the Middle East. It is possible the ancestor of greyhounds and other sighthounds first came into being in the tents of Middle Eastern nomadic peoples. Some think that the sighthound is a cross between the domesticated dog of that era and the southern European wolf. Despite their confusing history one thing remains clear. The greyhound belongs to a very ancient groups of dogs known as sighthounds.

For thousands of years the greyhound has been bred to run fast and hunt by sight. They were not intended to be solitary hunter, but as part of a group. Free thinking and highly intelligent the greyhound is able to anticipate the evasive maneuvers of its prey. Known as the fastest dog in the world, the greyhound can reach speeds of 45 mph and sustain speeds over 30 mph for up to a mile. Racing and to a lesser extent coursing has kept these traits very much alive.

Today there are two very distinct lines of greyhound; NGA (National Greyhound Association) and AKC (American Kennel Club). There are many differences between the two lines and those differences should be considered before choosing which line you would like to adopt.