Greyhound Dog Breed

The Greyhound dog breed is a Sighthound that was built for speed in Great Britain and its lineage can be traced back to ancient times. They were such effective hunters that nobility in the middle ages passed the Forest Laws in 1014 that barred commoners from keeping Greyhounds anywhere near the "royal forests".

Over time hunting became less of a necessity as mankind began to rely much more heavily on agriculture. In the 1800s there was a shift in purpose for the Greyhounds as they were used more for sport than for putting food on the table. They first began coursing rabbits for sport, but when track racing was invented in 1926 they were a shoe in.

Greyhound Dog Breed: Temperament

Greyhounds have a peculiar personality in that they are the most civil and well behaved indoor dogs you will ever see, yet they will bolt after and chase virtually anything that moves when outside. They run at such high speeds that a world class sprinter would have no chance of catching them if they get loose.

They are considered to be moderately affectionate and independent. Most have the ability to get along well with other dogs, but are generally cautious and apprehensive when it comes to any strangers, man or beast.

Greyhound Dog Breed: Health

The Greyhound is one of the easiest canines to care for. Their coat needs minimal attention, and their exercise needs are easily fulfilled by a short sprint in a large open space.

Make sure the area is safe so that there aren't any high speed collisions with cars or other objects. As mentioned earlier they have excellent manners inside the house, and that is where they should spend the majority of their time. They just don't have the physical attributes to live outside.

This breed is also one of the healthiest with only minor health risks including esophageal achalasia, gastric torsion, and osteosarcoma.

Most Greyhounds will live a long and happy life of anywhere from 10-13 years.