- This article is about the breed of dog; for other meanings of Greyhound, see Greyhound (disambiguation).
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| uncertain; possibly England or Egypt
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The Greyhound is a breed of dog used for hunting and racing. Greyhounds are among the fastest running of all dogs, with their long legs and lanky frames. They are commonly known for their use on the racetrack, where they can reach speeds up to 45 mph (72 km/h).
Appearance
Male dogs are usually 28 to 30 inches (71-76 cm) tall at the withers and weigh around 65 to 90 pounds (29-36 kg). Females tend to be smaller with shoulder heights ranging from 27 to 28 inches (68-71 cm) and weights from 50 to 75 pounds (27-31 kg). Greyhounds have very short hair, which is easy to maintain. There are approximately thirty recognized colors, of which variations of white, brindle, fawn, black, red, blue, and grey can appear uniquely or in combination.
Temperament
Although Greyhounds are extremely fast dogs, they are not high-energy dogs. They are sprinters and do not require much exercise once they leave the track. Most are quiet, gentle animals. Greyhounds are often referred to as "Forty-five mile an hour couch potatoes."
Greyhounds make good pets because of their mild and affectionate character. They can get along well with children and family pets (often including cats). Greyhounds are generally loyal, tractable dogs with developed intellects. Their talents include sighting and hunting. They do not have undercoats and therefore are less likely to trigger people's dog allergies (Greyhounds are sometimes incorrectly referred to as "hypoallergenic"). Most Greyhounds that live as pets are adopted after they retire from racing.
Most companion Greyhounds are kept on a leash because their hunting background has instilled a strong desire to chase things. Greyhounds can live in an urban setting but require moderate exercise on a regular basis. They enjoy walking and running outside.
History
Popularly, the breed's origin is believed to be traced to ancient Egypt, where a bas-relief depicting a smooth-coated Saluki (Persian Greyhound) or Sloughi was found in a tomb built in 4000 BC. Analyses of DNA reported in 2004, however, suggest that the Greyhound is not closely related to these breeds, but is a close relative to herding dogs. [2], [3]
- Note 2: Parker et al (May 21, 2004). "Genetic Structure of the Purebred Domestic Dog". Science volume 304, pp. 1160-1164.
