Things you may not know
- Greyhounds are the fastest breed of dog in existence. They can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour over a short distance.
- In 1014 AD the English Forest Laws stated that only noblemen could own and hunt with Greyhounds. To kill a greyhound was punishable by death, the same sentence as for murder.
- Racing Greyhounds are bred for speed. They are therefore not susceptible to the congenital defects or temperament problems of many other breeds of dog. Generally only the fastest, healthiest and most even tempered animals are used as breeding stock.
- Queen Victoria and King Henry VIII kept greyhounds.
- Most greyhounds are physically unable to sit. A few can manage the sit, but for most the length of their back and their heavily muscled hind legs make the position impossible or at the least uncomfortable.
- Greyhounds have a short and almost odourless coat which moults less compared to other breed of dog. This means that sometimes greyhounds can be suited to live with people who are commonly allergic to other breeds of dog.
- Greyhounds are known as 40mph “couch potatoes” and this is a very appropriate term. Greyhounds can sprint extremely fast, but equally they do like their beds and a good snooze session.
- Greyhounds have stereoscopic vision, which means they are ideally suited to seeing moving objects. It is not uncommon for a greyhound to focus purely on the object it is chasing and subsequently “not see” the tree trunk or fence it runs into.
- The Greyhound is the only breed of dog mentioned in The Bible. Proverbs 30, verses 29-31.
- A cautionary note: Greyhounds are highly addictive. Commonly once a greyhound owner always a greyhound owner and it’s very common for one greyhound pet to suddenly become 2, 3 or more greyhound pets!
Got any more Greyhound facts you would like to share? Please leave a comment.