Greyhound

The Greyhound is a dog breed from Great Britain recognized by the FCI (Nr.158, Gr.10, Sek.3).

The Celts brought his ancestors with them when they immigrated to the British Isles in the fourth century BC. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries the Spanish greyhound (Galgo Español) was also exported to Ireland and England in large numbers. Appropriate and targeted further breeding resulted in the English greyhound. He came to the USA via Great Britain. The popularity there has gone so far that a nationwide bus line has been named after him.

The term "greyhound" generally stands for the greyhound in the English-speaking world. The English "greyhound" could be derived partly from "gazehound" (sight hound) and partly from "greecehound" (Greek dog). Oxford University stated that the word "Grey" was of Celtic origin, meaning "hound". According to this explanation there is a duplication of the meaning from two languages, the Celtic originating "grey" and "hound" which stands for all large hunting dogs, especially hounds, pack dogs.

The greyhound is considered by many to be the typical sighthound. He is very tall, up to 76 cm. His hair is fine and dense, black, white, red, blue, tawny russet, sandy, brindle or any of these colors with white, ears small and rose-shaped.

It used to be used for small game, rarely for big game hunting. Today it is mainly used in dog racing, where it can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h. Other uses: hound (sport) and companion dog. Greyhounds are loving, cuddly, loyal, quiet housemates who are undemanding in keeping and care. They absolutely need close family connections. With loving training, they are obedient companions. The innate urge to hunt makes it very difficult to run free. Therefore one should join a racing or coursing club in order to offer the Gray the replacement hunt.