Greyhound

This breed is thought to date back to 2900 BC due to ancient drawings of the Greyhound found in Egyptian ruins. It probably originated from the Arabian Sloughi and is one of the first breeds ever to participate in dog shows. They were brought to England around 900 AD and introduced to America in the 1500's. Over the years it has had many different roles such as racing, hunting and sighting.

This dog can sometimes be timid around people, even his master, so it is important to socialise him well. Despite the fact this racer can reach up to speeds of 40mph, around the house he is calm and quiet. He needs an authoritative owner, otherwise he will not always listen. He is normally good around other dogs and children but does not much enjoy rough play so doesn't make a very good playmate for young children. He often has a strong instinct to chase and hunt and has been known to kill cats, however, this is only a minority of Greyhounds.

His short-haired coat is very easy to look after - it needs only the occasional brushing with a firm bristle brush and bathing only when required. Due to his background as a racer, he needs the opportunity to run around in a secure, open space in addition to a daily walk. He should walk by his owners heel so he is aware of who the pack leader is.

Greyhounds can often be sensitive to drugs (including insecticides) and also prone to hypothyroidism as well as bloating. To prevent bloating, feed his 2-3 smaller meals a day as opposed to a larger one.