dog art by Paintmydog - portrait of a Greyhound

notes on the greyhound

"A sleek, contoured dog built for speed with a very deep chest and an extraordinarily flexible, curved spine. The head is long with almost no stop and the muzzle tapers. The skull is wide between the ears. The small rose ears are folded back. The eyes are dark and the neck is long and graceful. The front legs are absolutely straight. The hindquarters are very powerful and muscular with an arched loin. The long tail is carried low and has a slight upward curve at the end. The short, smooth coat comes in all dog colors. Temperament Sensitive, sweet and elegant. Brave and loyal, but can be willful. The Greyhound is very intelligent, but its character is often undervalued because of its reserved behavior toward its master and toward strangers. Socialize them at an early age to prevent timidity. As a rule, they are gentle and even-tempered - both racing lines and show lines.
Here's a comment from the book "THE GREYHOUND," by D.Stern: "Of course, no matter what type of Greyhound you choose, your are in for a treat. The Greyhound is an affectionate, gentle, graceful creature that has kept human beings company for thousands of years."

This very ancient breed is the fastest dog in the world and can reach speeds of over 40 miles per hour (65 km/h). Its greatest gift is its speed. They are thought to have originally descended from the Arabian Sloughi and brought to England by traders before 900 AD. Centuries ago it was used in the hunting of deer and wild boar. It could catch them and pull them down without stopping. It is also an incorrigible enemy of domestic animals, especially cats and geese. Today they are used primarily in dog racing (where they chase mechanical rabbits). This sport is especially popular in Anglo-Saxon countries. After retiring from a racing career, these dogs are often destroyed. Greyhound Rescue groups select the most even-tempered, gentle racers for placement into homes, with excellent success. Their talents include hunting, sighting, watchdogging, racing, agility, and lure coursing."