Greyhound, the fastest dog breed and one of the most ancient, long symbolic of aristocracy. Its likeness appears on an Egyptian tomb dating from about 3000 bce. Streamlined, slender, and strong, the Greyhound can attain a speed of about 45 miles (72 km) per hour. It has a narrow head, a long neck, a deep chest, long muscular hindquarters, and a long slim tail. Its coat is short and smooth and of various colors.

Greyhounds hunt by sight and are used mainly to pursue hares, but they can also hunt deer, foxes, and small game. Greyhounds are also raced for sport, chasing a mechanical rabbit. Since the late 20th century, however, Greyhound racing has been banned in various areas, notably a number of U.S. states, amid allegations that the dogs were mistreated.

The Italian Greyhound is a breed of toy dog apparently derived from the Greyhound. It has existed in its present form for more than 2,000 years and has been a favorite of the aristocracy. As a miniature version of the Greyhound, it stands 13 to 15 inches (33 to 38 cm) tall at the withers and weighs 7 to 14 pounds (3 to 6 kg). It has large eyes and a thin glossy coat that may be red-brown, fawn- or cream-colored, white, blue-gray, or gray. It is usually an active, gentle dog.

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Care and upkeep

The Greyhound needs a fenced area where it can sprint at least once a day. This should be supplemented by at least one long and two short walks on a standard leash, and Greyhounds should not be let off the lead, since they tend to chase small animals and may not return. The breed’s favorite games involve running and chasing. However, although it may chase a ball, the dog may not return it. Some Greyhounds enjoy swimming, and many like dog sports, such as agility, obedience, and scent work as well as coursing.

Because of their high muscle mass and slender limbs that culminate in small feet, Greyhounds are prone to foot and leg injuries when running at high speeds. They should not be allowed to gallop on rough or hard surfaces. Greyhounds’ muscle mass can also spur overheating, though their lack of a thick coat makes them susceptible to the cold. Coat care is minimal, consisting of occasional bathing and brushing. Greyhounds tend to accumulate plaque on their teeth more readily than other breeds.

The Greyhound is different from most other breeds physiologically. For example, its heart is larger, its hematocrit higher, and its thyroid level typically lower. The breed is also sensitive to barbiturate anesthesia, which can cause a longer and more difficult recovery, and alternative anesthetics may be considered. Finding a veterinarian who is familiar with Greyhound physiology is advisable.

Temperament

The Greyhound is a sprinter, bred for short bursts of speed. Unlike many breeds that require hours of activity, the Greyhound needs to run only for short stretches, typically just a few minutes at full speed. The remainder of the time, it rests. After years of competing in coursing games, which require dogs to think for themselves, the breed has developed an independence that makes it slow to follow commands.

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The Greyhound gets along with other dogs but may not do well with cats and other small pets unless raised with them. It makes a gentle companion for people of all ages. The Greyhound is not a particularly good watchdog and is a very poor protection dog.

These are well established and widely accepted generalizations about the breed. Individual dogs may differ in behavior and temperament.