Greyhound

Greyhound

Other names:
English greyhound
Country of origin:

Weight
Male:
27 to 40 kilograms (60 to 88 lb)
Female:
27 to 34 kilograms (60 to 75 lb)

Height
Male:
71 to 76 centimetres (28 to 30 in)
Female:
68 to 71 centimetres (27 to 28 in)
Coat:
Fine, smooth
Litter size:
6-8 pups
Life span:
12-15 years

The greyhound is a breed of hunting dog that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, but with a recent resurgence of popularity increasingly as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a soft and intelligent breed that often becomes attached to its owners. It is the fastest breed of dog. A combination of long, powerful legs, deep chest, flexible spine and slim build allow it to reach sprint speeds of circa 17meters per second/circa 61kmh.

Description

Appearance
Males are usually 71 to 76 centimetres (28 to 30 in) tall at the withers and weigh around 27 to 40 kilograms (60 to 88 lb). Females tend to be smaller with shoulder heights ranging from 68 to 71 centimetres (27 to 28 in) and weights from less than 27 to 34 kilograms (60 to 75 lb). Greyhounds have very short hair, which is easy to maintain. There are approximately thirty recognized color forms, of which variations of white, brindle, fawn, black, red and blue (gray) can appear uniquely or in combination.

Anatomy
The key to the speed of a greyhound can be found in its light but muscular build, largest heart, and highest percentage of fast-twitch muscle of any breed, the double suspension gallop and the extreme flexibility of the 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.

Temperament
Although greyhounds are extremely fast and athletic, and despite their reputation as racing dogs, they are not high-energy dogs. They are sprinters, and although they love running, they do not require extensive exercise. Most are quiet, gentle animals. An adult greyhound will stay healthy and happy with a daily walk of as little as 20 to 30 minutes. Greyhounds have been referred to as "Forty-five mile per hour couch potatoes."

Roles

Racing
Until the early twentieth century, greyhounds were principally bred and trained for coursing. During the early 1920s, modern Greyhound racing was introduced into the United States and introduced into The United Kingdom (Belle Vue) in 1936 and Northern Ireland (Celtic Park) on April 18, 1927 and immediately followed by Shelbourne Park in Dublin very soon after. The greyhound holds the record for fastest recorded dog.

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 and other sighthound breeds to compete in amateur racing events all over the United States.

Coursing
The original function of greyhounds, both in the British Isles and on the Continent of Europe was in the coursing of deer, much later they specialised as competition hare coursing dogs. Some greyhounds still fulfill their live coursing function, although artificial lure sports like lure coursing and racing are far more common and popular.

Both the American Kennel Club and the American Sighthound Field Association sponsor lure coursing events in North America.