Greyhound

File:Blue greyhound.JPG

Males are usually {{convert|71|to|76|cm}} tall at the withers, and weigh on average {{convert|27|to|40|kg}}. Females tend to be smaller, with shoulder heights ranging from {{convert|66|to|71|cm}} and weights from {{convert|25|to|34|kg}}, although weights can be above and below these average weights. Greyhounds have very short fur, which is easy to maintain. There are approximately 30 recognized color forms, of which variations of white, brindle, fawn (pale tan to dark deer-red), black, red, and blue (gray) can appear uniquely or in combination.{{cite web |url=http://www.akc.org/breeds/greyhound/color_markings.cfm |title=American Kennel Club – Breed Colors and Markings |publisher=Akc.org |access-date=2011-05-31}} Greyhounds are dolichocephalic, with a skull which is relatively long in comparison to its breadth, and an elongated muzzle.{{Cite journal |last1=Schoenebeck |first1=Jeffrey J |last2=Ostrander |first2=Elaine A |date=2013-02-01 |title=The Genetics of Canine Skull Shape Variation |journal=Genetics |language=en |volume=193 |issue=2 |pages=317–325 |doi=10.1534/genetics.112.145284 |issn=1943-2631 |pmc=3567726 |pmid=23396475}}

File:MargaretGormanPetDogApr1925Retouched.jpg with her pet Greyhound, "Long Goodie", in April 1925]]

Greyhounds live most happily as pets in quiet environments.Livinggood, Lee (2000). Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies, p. 31. IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., Foster City, CA. {{ISBN|0-7645-5276-7}}{{dubious|date=March 2024|reason=You cannot measure the happiness of a dog and there is no way to substantiate such a claim}} They do well in families with children, as long as the children are taught to treat the dog properly with politeness and appropriate respect.Livinggood 2000, p. 55-56 Greyhounds have a sensitive nature, and gentle commands work best as training methods.Livinggood, Lee (2000). Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies. IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., Foster City, CA. {{ISBN|0-7645-5276-7}}

Occasionally, a Greyhound may bark; however, they are generally not barkers, which is beneficial in suburban environments, and they are usually as friendly to strangers as they are with their own families.Branigan, Cynthia A. (1998). Adopting the Racing Greyhound, pp. 17-18. Howell Book House, New York. {{ISBN|0-87605-193-X}}. A 2008 University of Pennsylvania study found that Greyhounds are one of the least aggressive dog breeds towards strangers, owners, and other dogs.{{Cite journal |last1=Duffy |first1=Deborah L. |last2=Hsu |first2=Yuying |last3=Serpell |first3=James A. |date= 2008|title=Breed differences in canine aggression |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0168159108001147 |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |language=en |volume=114 |issue=3–4 |pages=441–460 |doi=10.1016/j.applanim.2008.04.006|url-access=subscription }} However, Greyhounds can be prone to sleep startle/sleep aggression if suddenly disturbed while napping. Owners can encounter this problem, as many greyhounds sleep with their eyes at least partially open, appearing awake.{{cite web | url=https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/dog-advice/sleep-startle-dogs#:~:text=Like%20all%20animals%2C%20a%20startle,woken%20up%20suddenly%20or%20unexpectedly | title=Sleep startle in dogs | Battersea Dogs & Cats Home }}{{cite web | url=https://hectorsgreyhoundrescue.org/greyhounds-as-pets/sleep-startle-and-aggression/ | title=Sleep Startle and Aggression }}

A survey of those adopting rescue Greyhounds found that Greyhound adoptions have higher short term adoption success than shelters. The survey also found reported hyperactivity levels to be below that of shelter dogs."The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) in Australia and New Zealand: A survey of owners' experiences with their greyhounds one month after adoption" Applied Animal Behaviour Science Elliott, 2010 vol. 124, issue 3-4. pp. 121-135.

Greyhounds tend to be outgoing, happy and sociable with people and seem to relish human contact, even following owners from room to room at home (known colloquially as being a "Velcro dog"). Small animals including cats may be the subject of prey-driven behaviour by Greyhounds.{{cite book|last=Livingood|first=Lee|title=Retired Racing Greyhounds For Dummies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YGYD9pWfgWMC|date=4 April 2011|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-118-05365-2}}{{Rp|58–60}}

{{Main|Hare coursing}}

File:Gray-Hound.jpg

The original primary use of Greyhounds, both in the British Isles and on the Continent of Europe, was in the coursing of deer for meat and sport; later, specifically in Britain, they specialized in competition hare coursing.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/turbervilesbooke00turb/page/246|title=Turbervile's Booke of hunting, 1576|first=George|last=Turberville|date=7 October 2018|publisher=[Oxford] : Clarendon Press; New York : [Oxford University Press]|via=Internet Archive}} Some Greyhounds are still used for coursing, although artificial lure sports like lure coursing and racing are far more common and popular. Many leading 300- to 550-yard sprinters have bloodlines traceable back through Irish sires, within a few generations of racers that won events such as the Irish Coursing Derby or the Irish Cup.Irish Greyhound Stud Book{{cite web |author=Gunnar von Boehn |url=http://www.greyhound-data.com/ |title=The Greyhound Breeding and Racing Database |publisher=Greyhound-data.com |access-date=2011-05-31}}

{{Main|Greyhound racing}}

Until the early 20th century, Greyhounds were principally bred and trained for hunting and coursing. During the 1920s, modern greyhound racing was introduced into the United States, England (1926), Northern Ireland (1927), Scotland (1927), and the Republic of Ireland (1927).{{cite book|last=Genders|first=Roy|title=NGRC book of Greyhound Racing|year=1990|publisher=Pelham Books Ltd|isbn=0-7207-1804-X}} Australia also has a significant racing culture.{{cite web |url=http://www.animalsaustralia.org/issues/greyhound-racing.php |title=Greyhound racing |publisher=Animals Australia |access-date=3 September 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.agra.com.au/HallOfFameTribute.aspx?id=5|title=Tribute to Chief Havoc -- Australian Greyhound Racing Association|access-date=2014-10-20|archive-date=2015-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605201107/http://www.agra.com.au/HallOfFameTribute.aspx?id=5|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.grey2kusa.org/about/worldwide/australia.php|title=Greyhound Racing in Australia | GREY2K USA Worldwide|website=www.grey2kusa.org}}

In the United States, aside from professional racing, many Greyhounds enjoy success on the amateur race track. Organizations like the Large Gazehound Racing Association (LGRA) and the National Oval Track Racing Association (NOTRA) provide opportunities for Greyhounds to compete.{{cite web |url=http://www.lgra.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010521161315/http://www.lgra.org/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=May 21, 2001 |title=Large Gazehound Racing Association |publisher=Lgra.org |access-date=2011-05-31}}{{cite web |url=http://www.notra.org |title=National Oval Track Racing Association |publisher=Notra.org |access-date=2011-05-31}}

Historically, the Greyhound has, since its first appearance as a hunting type and breed, enjoyed a specific degree of fame and definition in Western literature, heraldry and art as the most elegant or noble companion and hunter of the canine world. In modern times, the professional racing industry, with its large numbers of track-bred greyhounds, as well as international adoption programs aimed at re-homing dogs has redefined the breed as a sporting dog that will supply friendly companionship in its retirement. This has been prevalent in recent years due to track closures in the United States.Flaim, Denise (2010) 'Forward Thinking', Sighthound Review, Vol 1 Issue 1.{{cite web |url=http://www.blogher.com/dog-racetracks-close-where-do-all-greyhounds-go |title=As Dog Racetracks Close, Where Do All the Greyhounds Go? |publisher=BlogHer |access-date=2011-05-31 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716085100/http://www.blogher.com/dog-racetracks-close-where-do-all-greyhounds-go |url-status=dead }}Madden, Raymond (2010) 'Imagining the greyhound: 'Racing' and 'rescue' narratives in a human and dog relationship', Continuum, 24: 4, 503 — 515 . Outside the racing industry and coursing community, the Kennel Clubs' registered breed still enjoys a modest following as a show dog and pet.{{Cite web |title=Greyhound Dog Breed Information |url=https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/greyhound/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=American Kennel Club |language=en}}

File:Ghundskeleton.jpg

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 11.5 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.{{cite journal | last1=McMillan | first1=Kirsten M. | last2=Bielby | first2=Jon | last3=Williams | first3=Carys L. | last4=Upjohn | first4=Melissa M. | last5=Casey | first5=Rachel A. | last6=Christley | first6=Robert M. | title=Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death | journal=Scientific Reports | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=14 | issue=1 | date=2024-02-01 | issn=2045-2322 | doi=10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w | page=531| pmid=38302530 | pmc=10834484 | bibcode=2024NatSR..14..531M }} A 2005 Swedish study of insurance data found 60% of Greyhounds died by the age of 10, higher than the overall rate of 35% of dogs dying by the age of 10.{{cite journal | last1=Egenvall | first1=A | last2=Bonnett | first2=Bn | last3=Hedhammar | first3=å | last4=Olson | first4=P | title=Mortality in over 350,000 Insured Swedish Dogs from 1995–2000: II. Breed-Specific Age and Survival Patterns and Relative Risk for Causes of Death | journal=Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica | volume=46 | issue=3 | date=2005-09-30 | pages=121–136 | issn=1751-0147 | pmid=16261925 | pmc=1624818 | doi=10.1186/1751-0147-46-121 | doi-access=free }}

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| footer = A Greyhound in the extended (top) phase and the contracted phase of double rotary suspension gallop

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The speed of a Greyhound is due to its light but muscular build, large heart, highest percentage of oxidative–glycolytic fast twitch muscle fibers (Type IIa) of any breed,Snow, D.H. and Harris R.C. "Thoroughbreds and Greyhounds: Biochemical Adaptations in Creatures of Nature and of Man" Circulation, Respiration, and Metabolism Berlin: Springer Verlag 1985Snow, D.H. "The horse and dog, elite athletes – why and how?" Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 44 267 1985{{Cite journal |last1=van Boom |first1=Kathryn M. |last2=Schoeman |first2=Johan P. |last3=Steyl |first3=Johan C. A. |last4=Kohn |first4=Tertius A. |date=2023 |title=Fiber type and metabolic characteristics of skeletal muscle in 16 breeds of domestic dogs |url=https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.25207 |journal=The Anatomical Record |language=en |volume=306 |issue=10 |pages=2572–2586 |doi=10.1002/ar.25207 |pmid=36932662 |issn=1932-8486|hdl=2263/92633 |hdl-access=free }} double suspension gallop, and extreme flexibility of its spine. "Double suspension rotary gallop" describes the fastest running gait of the Greyhound in which all four feet are free from the ground in two phases, contracted and extended, during each full stride.Curtis M Brown. Dog Locomotion and Gait Analysis. Wheat Ridge, Colorado: Hoflin 1986 {{ISBN|0-86667-061-0}}

The musculature of both hindlimbs constitutes more than 18% of their body mass. The proportion of both forelimbs muscle mass is very similar. The proportion of back musculature is 12% of their body mass.{{Cite journal |last1=Williams |first1=S. B. |last2=Wilson |first2=A. M. |last3=Rhodes |first3=L. |last4=Andrews |first4=J. |last5=Payne |first5=R. C. |date=2008 |title=Functional anatomy and muscle moment arms of the pelvic limb of an elite sprinting athlete: the racing greyhound (Canis familiaris) |journal=Journal of Anatomy |language=en |volume=213 |issue=4 |pages=361–372 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.00961.x |issn=0021-8782 |pmc=2644771 |pmid=18657259}}{{Cite journal |last1=Williams |first1=S. B. |last2=Wilson |first2=A. M. |last3=Daynes |first3=J. |last4=Peckham |first4=K. |last5=Payne |first5=R. C. |date=2008 |title=Functional anatomy and muscle moment arms of the thoracic limb of an elite sprinting athlete: the racing greyhound (Canis familiaris) |journal=Journal of Anatomy |language=en |volume=213 |issue=4 |pages=373–382 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.00962.x |issn=0021-8782 |pmc=2644772 |pmid=19034998}}

Due to the Greyhound's unique physiology and anatomy, a veterinarian who understands the issues relevant to the breed is generally needed when the dogs need treatment, particularly when anesthesia is required. Greyhounds cannot metabolize barbiturate-based anesthesia in the same way that other breeds can because their livers have lower amounts of oxidative enzymes.Blythe, Linda, Gannon, James, Craig, A. Morrie, and Fegan, Desmond P. (2007). Care of the Racing and Retired Greyhound, p. 416. American Greyhound Council, Inc., Kansas. {{ISBN|0-9641456-3-4}}. Greyhounds demonstrate unusual blood chemistry,{{Cite journal|title=Clinical pathology of Greyhounds and other sighthounds|first1=S.|last1=Zaldívar-López|first2=L.M.|last2=Marín|first3=M.C.|last3=Iazbik|first4=N.|last4=Westendorf-Stingle|first5=S.|last5=Hensley|first6=C.G.|last6=Couto|date=December 22, 2011|journal=Veterinary Clinical Pathology / American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology|volume=40|issue=4|pages=10.1111/j.1939–165X.2011.00360.x|doi=10.1111/j.1939-165X.2011.00360.x|pmid=22092909|pmc=3816276}} which can be misread by veterinarians not familiar with the breed and can result in an incorrect diagnosis.[https://www.riversideanimalcare.com/about-us/your-dublin-vet/c-guillermo-couto-dvm-diplomate-acvim-columbus-ohio-veterinarian/greyhounds-really-dogs/Couto Veterinary Consultants Are Sighthounds Really Dogs?], 2017

Greyhounds are very sensitive to insecticides.Branigan, Cynthia A. (1998). Adopting the Racing Greyhound, p. 99-101. Howell Book House, New York. {{ISBN|0-87605-193-X}}. Many vets do not recommend the use of flea collars or flea spray on Greyhounds if the product is pyrethrin-based. Products like Advantage, Frontline, Lufenuron, and Amitraz are safe for use on Greyhounds, however, and are very effective in controlling fleas and ticks.Branigan, Cynthia A. (1998). Adopting the Racing Greyhound, p. 101-103. Howell Book House, New York. {{ISBN|0-87605-193-X}}.

Greyhounds have higher levels of red blood cells than other breeds. Since red blood cells carry oxygen to the muscles, this higher level allows the hound to move larger quantities of oxygen faster from the lungs to the muscles.Blythe, Linda, Gannon, James, Craig, A. Morrie, and Fegan, Desmond P. (2007). Care of the Racing and Retired Greyhound, p. 82. American Greyhound Council, Inc., Kansas. {{ISBN|0-9641456-3-4}}. Conversely, Greyhounds have lower levels of platelets than other breeds.{{cite web |title=Making Sense of Blood Work in Greyhounds |url=http://www.animalmedicalcentreofmedina.com/library/Greyhound%20Labwork.pdf |access-date=5 Nov 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325034106/http://www.animalmedicalcentreofmedina.com/library/Greyhound%20Labwork.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2009}}

Delayed haemorrhage following trauma or routine surgery is more common in Greyhounds, with one study reporting significant haemorrhage in 26% of Greyhounds following routine gonadectomy,{{Cite journal|last1=Lara-García|first1=A.|last2=Couto|first2=C. G.|last3=Iazbik|first3=M. C.|last4=Brooks|first4=M. B.|date=May 2008|title=Postoperative bleeding in retired racing greyhounds|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18466249|journal=Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine|volume=22|issue=3|pages=525–533|doi=10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0088.x|issn=0891-6640|pmid=18466249|doi-access=free}} compared to 0-2% in other dog breeds. This is often termed greyhound fibrinolytic syndrome or breed-associated hyperfibrinolysis, where in there is a disorder of the fibrinolysis system without derangement of the primary or secondary coagulation systems, and is also not related to platelet count. In this syndrome there is initial adequate hemostasis following trauma or routine surgical procedures, however 36–48 hours later the site undergoes inappropriate hyperfibrinolysis. This results in delayed bleeding which can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Standard pre-operative blood work does not identify those at risk{{Cite journal|last1=Birkbeck|first1=R.|last2=Humm|first2=K.|last3=Cortellini|first3=S.|date=November 2019|title=A review of hyperfibrinolysis in cats and dogs|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31608455|journal=The Journal of Small Animal Practice|volume=60|issue=11|pages=641–655|doi=10.1111/jsap.13068|issn=1748-5827|pmid=31608455|s2cid=204544250}} It is distinct from common bleeding disorders in other breeds such as von Willebrand's disease, which is uncommon in Greyhounds.{{Cite journal|last1=Zaldívar-López|first1=S.|last2=Marín|first2=L. M.|last3=Iazbik|first3=M. C.|last4=Westendorf-Stingle|first4=N.|last5=Hensley|first5=S.|last6=Couto|first6=C. G.|date=December 2011|title=Clinical pathology of Greyhounds and other sighthounds|journal=Veterinary Clinical Pathology|volume=40|issue=4|pages=414–425|doi=10.1111/j.1939-165X.2011.00360.x|issn=1939-165X|pmc=3816276|pmid=22092909}} Although high-quality research data are lacking, it is thought that this condition can be prevented and treated by administering antifibrinolytic medication such as tranexamic acid via the oral or parenteral route.{{Cite journal|last1=Osekavage|first1=Katie E.|last2=Brainard|first2=Benjamin M.|last3=Lane|first3=Selena L.|last4=Almoslem|first4=Mohammed|last5=Arnold|first5=Robert D.|last6=Koenig|first6=Amie|date=October 2018|title=Pharmacokinetics of tranexamic acid in healthy dogs and assessment of its antifibrinolytic properties in canine blood|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30256146|journal=American Journal of Veterinary Research|volume=79|issue=10|pages=1057–1063|doi=10.2460/ajvr.79.10.1057|issn=1943-5681|pmid=30256146|s2cid=52823458}} Intensive care and blood product administration may also be required in severe cases.

Greyhounds do not have undercoats and thus are less likely to trigger dog allergies in humans (they are sometimes incorrectly referred to as "hypoallergenic"). The lack of an undercoat, coupled with a general lack of body fat, also makes Greyhounds more susceptible to extreme temperatures (both hot and cold); because of this, they must be housed inside.Blythe, Linda, Gannon, James, Craig, A. Morrie, and Fegan, Desmond P. (2007). Care of the Racing and Retired Greyhound, p. 394. American Greyhound Council, Kansas. {{ISBN|0-9641456-3-4}}. Some Greyhounds are susceptible to corns on their paw pads; a variety of methods are used to treat them.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ngap.org/greyhound-health-corn-y301.html|title=Greyhound Health. Corns in Greyhounds.|website=www.ngap.org|access-date=2019-05-09|archive-date=2018-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808213821/http://www.ngap.org/greyhound-health-corn-y301.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://cpd.vettimes.co.uk/cpd-plus/companion-animal/cpd-dermatology/digital-flexor-tenotomy-for-treatment-of-corns-in-dogs|title=Vet Times CPD + Digital flexor tenotomy for treatment of corns in dogs|website=cpd.vettimes.co.uk}}

Thyroxine levels in the Greyhound are below the normal reference range for dogs; thyroxine response to thyroid-stimulating hormone is also lowered. This can impact testing for thyroid disease but it is not a concern for health.{{cite book |author1-first=J. Catherine |author1-last=Scott-Moncrieff |editor1-last=Feldman | editor1-first=Edward C. | editor2-last=Nelson | editor2-first=Richard W. | editor3-last=Reusch | editor3-first=Claudia | editor4-last=Scott-Moncrieff | editor4-first=J. Catharine |title=Canine and feline endocrinology |date=2015 |publisher=Elsevier Saunders |location=St. Louis, Missouri |isbn=978-1-4557-4456-5 |edition=Fourth |url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9781455744565/canine-and-feline-endocrinology |chapter=Hypothyroidism| publication-place=St. Louis, Missouri | pages=102}}

File:Bronzen beeldje hazewindhond ForumHadriani 015501 RMO Leiden.jpg

File:Paolo Uccello 054.jpg's The Hunt in the Forest (Ashmolean Museum) (1470)]]

File:John Everett Millais - Isabella.jpg painting by Millais]]

"The true origin of the greyhound is unsure, but drawings of findings from the Çatalhöyük site in Turkey (6000 BC), the finding of a greyhound-like dog in a funeral vase in the town of Fusa in Iran (4200 BC) or in rock art in Tassili (dated at 5000 – 2000 BC) indicate that the greyhound is indeed one of the oldest breeds of dog.".SVOBODOVÁ, H., BARTOŠ, M., NÝVLTOVÁ FIŠÁKOVÁ, M. and KOUŘIL, P., (2015). Genetic analysis of possibly the oldest greyhound remains within the territory of the Czech Republic as a proof of a local elite presence at Chotěbuz-Podobora hillfort in the 8th–9th century AD. SbNM B, 71, pp.17-24.

[https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Miriam_Nyvltova_Fisakova/publication/283696817_Genetic_analysis_of_possibly_the_oldest_greyhound_remains_within_the_territory_of_the_Czech_Republic_as_a_proof_of_a_local_elite_presence_at_Hotebuz-Podobora_hillfort_in_the_8th-9th_century_AD/links/5677cf1908ae0ad265c7ed29/Genetic-analysis-of-possibly-the-oldest-greyhound-remains-within-the-territory-of-the-Czech-Republic-as-a-proof-of-a-local-elite-presence-at-Hotebuz-Podobora-hillfort-in-the-8th-9th-century-AD.pdf]

The ancient skeletal remains of a dog identified as being of the greyhound/saluki form were excavated at Tell Brak in modern Syria, and dated as being approximately 4,000 years old.Clutton-Brock, J., 1989. A dog and a donkey excavated at Tell Brak. Iraq, 51, pp.217-224.Structured Deposition of Animal Remains in the Fertile Crescent during the Bronze Age, José Luis Ramos Soldado, Archaeopress, 2016, p12, {{ISBN|9781784912697}} Dogs that look similar to Salukis and Greyhounds were increasingly depicted on Egyptian tombs from the Middle Kingdom (2134 BC–1785 BC) onward.{{cite book |author-link1=Thomas T. Allsen |last=Allsen |first=Thomas T. |title=The Royal Hunt in Eurasian History |date=2006 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |isbn=978-0-8122-3926-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6V9MtZT6go0C&q=saluki&pg=PA55 |access-date=20 October 2020 |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107232958/https://books.google.com/books?id=6V9MtZT6go0C&q=saluki&pg=PA55 |url-status=live }}

Historical literature by Arrian on the vertragus (from the Latin {{lang|la|vertragus}}, a word of Celtic origin),{{cite book|last1=Arrian|last2=Dansey|first2=W.|title=Arrian on coursing : the Cynegeticus of the younger Xenophon, translated from the Greek, with classical and practical annotations, and a brief sketch of the life and writings of the author. To which is added an appendix, containing some account of the Canes venatici of classical antiquity|publisher=Bohne|year=1831|pages=[https://archive.org/details/arrianoncoursing00arri/page/74 74]|url=https://archive.org/details/arrianoncoursing00arri|author1-link=Arrian}} the first recorded sighthound in Europe and possible antecedent of the Greyhound, suggested that its origin lies with the Celts from Eastern Europe or Eurasia. Systematic archaeozoology of Britain conducted in 1974Harcourt, R.A., 1974. The dog in prehistoric and early historic Britain. Journal of Archaeological Science, 1(2), pp.151-175. ruled out the existence of a true greyhound-type in Britain prior to the Roman occupation, which was further confirmed in 2000.Clark, K.M., 2000. Dogged persistence: the phenomenon of canine skeletal uniformity in British prehistory. BAR International Series, 889, pp.163-170. Written evidence from the early period of Roman occupation, the Vindolanda tablets (No. 594), demonstrate that the occupying troops from Continental Europe either had with them in the North of England, or certainly knew of, the vertragus and its hunting use.Bowman, Alan K; Thomas, J David (2003). The Vindolanda writing-tablets (Tabulae Vindolandenses III). British Museum Press. {{ISBN|978-0-7141-2249-6}}.

During the Middle Ages, greyhounds could only be owned by rulers and nobles, having long been associated with heraldic symbols of the ruling class in England, France, and the Czech lands.

The earliest archaeological discovery found conclusively to be a greyhound specifically was at the Chotěbuz fort in the Czech Republic. This comprised sighthound type "gracile" bones dating from the 8th to 9th century AD. These bones matched those of a {{cvt|70|cm}} high "greyhound", and were also genetically compared with the modern Greyhound and other sighthounds, and found to be almost completely identical with the modern Greyhound breed, with the exception of only four deletions and one substitution in the DNA sequences, which were interpreted as differences probably arising from 11 centuries of breeding of this type of dog.

All modern pedigree Greyhounds derive from the Greyhound stock recorded and registered first in private studbooks in the 18th century, then in public studbooks in the 19th century, which ultimately were registered with coursing, racing, and kennel club authorities of the United Kingdom.The Greyhound and the Hare: A history of the breed and the sport Charles Blanning, The National Coursing Club, 2018 Historically, these sighthounds were used primarily for hunting in the open where their pursuit speed and keen eyesight were essential.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

File:St Guinefort.jpg, a greyhound sainted by people in the Dombes region of France around the 13th century]]

The name "Greyhound" is generally believed to come from the Old English {{lang|ang|'grighund'}}. {{lang|ang|Hund}} is the antecedent of the modern "hound", but the meaning of {{lang|ang|grig}} is undetermined, other than in reference to dogs in Old English and Old Norse. The word "hund" is still used for dogs in general in Scandinavian languages today. Its origin does not appear to have any common root with the modern word "grey"{{cite book |last1=Richardson |first1=Charles |title=A New Dictionary of the English Language |date=1839 |publisher=Oxford University |page=357}} for color, and indeed the Greyhound is seen with a wide variety of coat colors. The lighter colors, patch-like markings and white appeared in the breed that was once ordinarily grey in color.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

The Greyhound is the only dog mentioned by name in the Bible ({{Langx|he|זַרְזִיר מׇתְנַיִם}}, zarir mosna'im) in {{bibleverse|Proverbs|30:29-31|JPS}}.{{Primary source inline|date=December 2023}} Many versions, including the Jewish Publication Society and King James Version, name the Greyhound as one of the "three that are stately of stride". However, some newer biblical translations, including the New International Version, have changed this to 'strutting rooster', which appears to be an alternative translation.

According to Pokorny,Pokorny, Indogermanisches Woerterbuch, pp. 441–442. the English term 'Greyhound' does not mean "grey dog/hound", but simply "fair dog". Subsequent words have been derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *g'her- "shine, twinkle": English 'grey', Old High German {{lang|goh|gris}} "grey, old", Old Icelandic {{Transliteration|non|griss}} "piglet, pig", Old Icelandic {{Transliteration|non|gryja}} "to dawn", {{Transliteration|non|gryjandi}} "morning twilight", Old Irish {{lang|sga|grian}} "sun", Old Church Slavonic {{Transliteration|cu|zorja}} "morning twilight, brightness". The common sense of these words is "to shine; bright".{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

In 1928, the first winner of Best in Show at Crufts was breeder/owner Mr. H. Whitley's Greyhound Primley Sceptre.{{Cite web|url=http://publicimages.thekennelclub.org.uk/fotoweb/preview.fwx?position=25&archiveType=ImageFolder&sorting=AlfaNumericAsc&search=Best%20In%20Show&fileId=CAA309CA2B45FDD29219EA37FB8F3318B1E3BD5A8210D2E3D97D177413C599D30B09DE824120421FF42F7CBB7956AF6A04830F72BF837AF1985421389B90159C05C95DBF35CF1F925BD81D11FE94CB8625B0B90E54CB66303FFEA8D1C7C512623A510E5D14ABA248EB74246C91833C793DADBA15E6460876DC941FD8738ECE5330A5B5115C2ED07805F74E585E23E6A4C2FFB13E2B058F687719D91FF97F7FC1EB4C2D448ED73CAE1AD57CF342D09BD41BF4CC0F2F4EBAC46B3F6BCC6BA230F6&|title=(No.584, pp19 & 121)}} Greyhounds have won the award three times in total, the most recent being in 1956.{{Cite web|title=The winners from the past and present - Crufts|url=https://www.crufts.org.uk/about-us/past-and-present-winners/|access-date=2021-08-11|website=www.crufts.org.uk}}

Historically, English Greyhounds were grouped: two for coursing, as a "Brace", three for hunting, as a "Leash", otherwise known as a "couple and a half".Turbervile's Booke of Hunting 1576 Clarendon Press 1908 p242

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{{Reflist}}

• [https://archive.org/details/greyhoundinbeing00walsrich "The Greyhound in 1864: ..." Walsh 1864]
• [https://archive.org/details/greyhounditshist00dalzrich "The Greyhound, ..." Dalziel 1887]
• [https://archive.org/details/masterofgameoldexx00edwa Of Greyhounds and of Their Nature, Chapter XV: "The Master of Game", Edward of York circa 1406]
• [https://archive.org/details/americanbookofdo00shierich "The Greyhound" Roger D. Williams, in The American Book of the Dog Editor George O. Shields. Chicago: Rand Mcnally, 1891]
• Greyhound Nation: A Coevolutionary History of England, 1200–1900. Edmund Russell, Cambridge University Press, 2018. {{ISBN|978-0521762090}}
• The Greyhound and the Hare: A History of the Breed and the Sport. Charles Blanning, The National Coursing Club, 2018.
• Twenty Two Waterloo Cups 1981-2005. Charles Blanning, Fullerton Press in association with the National Coursing Club, 2022.
• High speed galloping in the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and the racing greyhound (Canis familiaris): spatio-temporal and kinetic characteristics. Hudson et al. Journal of Experimental Biology 215.14, 2012.[https://www.originalwisdom.com/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/2019/10/Hudson-et-al%202012%20High-speed-galloping-in-the-cheetah-and-the-racing-greyhound.pdf]{{dead link|date=January 2024}}

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