Greyhound

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A lovely and elegant breed, the Greyhound (right, Ransley Simply Gorgeous) is completely unexaggerated in any respect. He is another of the sighthounds whose origins probably lie in the Middle East.  Engravings of sighthounds have been found on tombs dating back to 4000BC, and their quarry would have been large game - antelope, wolf and bear.  They spread across Europe, possibly introduced by Phoenician traders and became the hound of the aristocracy.  In 1016 they were mentioned in the Forest Laws made by King Canute, which forbade commoners from keeping Greyhounds. So highly were they esteemed that they became represented in Heraldry, and Henry VIII had a Greyhound in his Coat of Arms.

The Greyhound became used for hare coursing, effective because of their incredible sprinting abilities.  They have been recorded reaching speeds of 45mph. The current coursing Greyhound is relatively compact compared to the showdog, and it is also smaller than the racing hound which has less requirement for manoevurability than the coursing hound because of the unvarying path of the electric hare.

The Greyhound has a powerful instinct to kill; this should be remembered when exercising.  Most owners of ex-racers keep their hounds muzzled if off the lead in public places; it would probably be unwise to introduce an adult hound into a home with cats or small dogs.

Their approach to humans is quite different; they are affectionate and biddable and will adapt themselves to their owners lifestyles and be very undemanding in most respects.   They are quiet, clean and, for their size, moderate eaters.  Whilst they enjoy short bursts of exercise they are not hounds which require long walks.  They do have very fine coats and need to be kept warm in bad weather and be comfortably bedded to avoid pressure sores on the brisket and elbows.  The coat can be kept in good shape by brushing out dead coat and polishing with a chamois leather.

A large but easy breed - apart from their drawbacks as a sighthound - they will settle well into most households and adapt themselves to the family. 

Click here to read the Kennel Club Breed Standard for the Greyhound.

Greyhound Breed Clubs

GREYHOUND CLUB Mrs E Newsham 01706 524993

Greyhound Rescue and Rehoming

Contact the Breed Club or one of these organisations.  They should all be able to give you information about hounds requiring homes and procedures for re-homing; if you are in the unfortunate position of having to re-home your own Greyhound., please go through breed rescue. They will not be judgmental and are best able to find the right permanent home for your hound.

Wherever Greyhounds are raced there is a need for Rescue; here is an American view of the problem.

Greyhound Breeders

Ransley

If you are looking for a puppy contact the Breed Clubs and the Breeders listed and visit the puppyfinder website where there is a great deal of information on hereditary conditions.  If you are a Breeder and wish to advertise your puppies puppyfinder is an excellent showcase.