Where the Greyhound came from
Greyhounds are one of the oldest types of dog. Dogs that look like them show up in very old art and burial remains from the Middle East and Egypt. In Britain they were kept to chase hare and deer by sight.
Organized coursing, where two dogs chase one hare, became a popular sport in England, with the Waterloo Cup starting in 1836. In the 1900s, racing around a track after a mechanical lure grew into a big business in the United States, Britain and elsewhere.
Racing has shrunk in many places, and retired racers are now adopted out by rescue groups. Many people find them to be calm, quiet house pets who sleep a lot.
- Ancient times Sighthound types are shown in early art and used for hunting
- 1836 The Waterloo Cup coursing contest begins in England
- 1885 The AKC recognizes the Greyhound
- Around 1920 Track racing with a mechanical lure begins in Emeryville, California
The job a Greyhound was bred for
The work was a short, explosive chase of fast game across open ground. The dog spotted movement, ran flat out, and then rested. That left dogs who chase anything that moves fast, relax completely when the chase is over, and are sensitive and soft with people.
Sports that fit a Greyhound
- Lure coursing. A straight match for what they were built to do.
- Fast CAT. A timed sprint on a safe, flat course.
- Canicross. Easy trotting with you works for a few of them, as long as the pace is gentle.
- Therapy work. Their quiet, gentle manner suits it.
Training tips for a Greyhound
- Chasing is a reflex, not disobedience. Use a fenced yard and a long line, and never trust off-leash recall around squirrels.
- Use soft voices and treats. They are sensitive and shut down easily with harsh handling.
- Many were raised in kennels, so teach stairs, glass doors and house life slowly and with rewards.
- Do not ask for a long sit. Sit and down on a soft bed is easier on their frame.
Body and health
Greyhounds have very little body fat and thin skin, so they get cold fast and need a coat in winter. They are deep-chested and can bloat, and they get hurt easily when running on hard or uneven ground.
Fun fact. Greyhounds can reach peak speeds of at least 43 miles per hour, but most of them would rather nap on the couch.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Greyhound is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Looking for a different breed? See what 75 breeds were bred to do.