10 Interesting Facts About Greyhounds
A Greyhound in classic profile
1. Greyhounds Are a Breed of Sighthound
- Greyhounds actually rely more on their vision than they do on their sense of smell, hence the term "sighthound."
- Surprisingly, though, the Greyhound breed does not have great eyesight when it comes to seeing stationary objects.
- They exhibit incredibly keen eyesight for moving objects but aren't so adept at recognizing objects which stand in place. This is because these ancient canines have been bred to hunt fast-moving animals like hares.
- Greyhounds are bred to run at top speeds while still being able to visually spot the moving wild game.
Learn 10 fun facts about this ancient breed of dog!
2. Greyhounds Are Not the Fastest Breed
Although many believe they're the fastest, they're not, although they are arguably the second-fastest. Truth be told, the whippet (another sighthound) surpasses its Greyhound cousins in speed by just a hair.
3. They Can Run 43 Miles Per Hour
Many Greyhounds that are bred as racing dogs can sprint up to outstanding top speeds that range from 39 to 43 miles per hour! Talk about fast!
4. Greyhounds Are Healthy
Out of all the purebred dog breeds today, many animal experts have come to believe that the Greyhound is perhaps the healthiest breed of dog when it comes to hereditary health issues. It's truly amazing how a breed as ancient as the Greyhound can have a practically perfect health record.
The first Greyhound races in the United States were run in the early 1920s.
5. Greyhounds Haven't Always Raced
As well-known as they are for sprinting on racetracks, the sport of Greyhound racing wasn't even established until the early 20th century.
6. Greyhounds Are Gentle
Greyhounds are considered to be in the top-10 of most gentle dog breeds. Because of their naturally kind temperament, Greyhounds make perfect canine companions for children, other dogs, and cats.
7. Greyhounds Have the Highest Red Blood Cell Count
Red blood cells carry oxygen to the muscles. The more red blood cells an animal has, the quicker the oxygen is carried throughout the body. Because the Greyhound breed runs so quickly and is highly active, their high red blood cell count is a vital feature.
8. Greyhounds Are Related to Herding Dogs
Although they may not look like it, herding dogs are more closely related to Greyhounds than any other breed of dogs. Herding dogs descended from Greyhounds.
9. There Are Greyhounds in the Bible
Greyhounds are the only purebred dogs that were ever referred to specifically in the Bible by name; these sighthounds were individually noted in the book of Solomon.
A black Greyhound and a retired racing Greyhound
10. Many Greyhounds Need Homes
When these racing dogs become too old for competitive dog racing, they are abandoned and brought to animal shelters where they live the rest of their lives in loneliness. Oftentimes, they have their lives ended through euthanization. In more recent years, Greyhound adoption has thankfully become a growing trend within the canine community. Now people are beginning to take interest in getting the word out about Greyhound adoption and how it can change the life of an innocent, abused racing dog for the better.
Are you looking to get a new dog? Well, if you are, consider giving a loving and loyal canine your helping hand by adopting a retired racing dog. Trust me—you won't regret it.
Comments
Katie on July 10, 2020:
Hi I am doing a dog book do you want it
Nope on November 23, 2019:
That's just dumb.
We measure the speed of all our racing dogs, whippet included. And Greyhound is the fastest breed - ALTHOUGH the fastest land living animal on distances over 3km is the Saluki, another majestic sighthound.
I might add that No. our racedogs never ends up like that. They're lying around in our sofas and is just as big a part of our family as the younger racing dogs.
? on March 27, 2019:
Greyhounds are the fastest dog...search it up
lol on February 05, 2019:
greyhounds can be great millatary dogs
KawiigalaxytinyArtist on November 27, 2018:
My friend has a greyhound me my friend and five other friends had a sleepover with my friend who owns a G.H Flicka my friends G.H was as calm as ever, and seven girls were petting and crowding her and she didn't get scared or stressed
MIGUEL CASTELO LIMA on May 10, 2018:
SO WHO IS IT THE FASTEST DOG?
victor on March 19, 2016:
I'm babysitting a G.H for the weekend. he is one of the best dog I have ever seen and he learns very quickly and he learned to open the back door from observation....these dogs need to run .... and it's cruel to not let them run. I'm not talking about racing or coursing them. I have a large garden (fenced) and we just let this one run and he loves it. He had a few accidents with our chickens... but that's greyhounds...I think it's a beautiful thing to watch. when he is winding up and stretching out.fun.
on a greyhound flex ting on March 03, 2013:
Interesting fact #1707
Greyhounds... were responsible for the Wall Street Crash because of their poor investments ideas and they spent too much time licking their own genitalia.
gro dog on April 14, 2012:
Interesting fact #1706
Greyhounds are considered gods in Croydon
Greyhizlle Dizzle on April 14, 2012:
Interisting fact numbro 13
Snoop dogg himself purchased 30 greyhounds last year, but had to pop a cap in 3 of they asses because they was actin' up, G.
greyhoundz are cool on April 14, 2012:
Interesting fact #12
Greyhounds... are fluent in the majority of East African languages and dialects, including Eygptian, Flemish and South Mongolian. And French.
The Knowledge on April 14, 2012:
Intersting fact... Number 11
Greyhounds... are dogs
Eiddwen from Wales on May 03, 2011:
Great hub on such a beautiful dog.
Thank you for sharing this one.
Take care
Eiddwen.
BevsPaper from Central Indiana on May 03, 2011:
Great points about the Greyhound! My boss has 3 that he adopted through Greyhounds of America and they are just the most delightful dogs! He also fosters new hounds when they come from the track to get them ready for their new home.
These dogs just eat up loving attention...they didn't get much of that at the race track.
