The sleek, agile body of the Greyhound looks like it's just made for running. In fact, these dogs have proven themselves as excellent hunters, mainly because of their speed. They're considered to be the fastest breed in existence and have been clocked at speeds of 40 miles per hour. One of the most common tasks assigned to Greyhounds today is racing.
These dogs are taught to chase a mechanical rabbit around an oval track. The sport is very popular and betting on Greyhound races brings in substantial revenue to many areas. While Greyhounds are best known today for chasing mechanical rabbits, the ancestors of these dogs were avid hunters. They could catch almost any prey, making their speed a very important trait.
In addition, these agile dogs could jump onto another animal, taking it down in mid-stride. Often, the Greyhound would take down the animal, turn and come back for another pass before the animal could regain its feet and bearings. For the most part, Greyhounds were used for deer hunting, though they were also sometimes used for other game, including wild hogs. Greyhounds are typically very sleek animals. They have strong, straight forelegs with strong back legs built for speed.
The coat is very short and these dogs come in a variety of colors, often with markings of different colors. As a rule, Greyhounds are very steady animals, not prone to bursts of temper or willfulness. Remember that these animals often run in a pack toward a mechanical rabbit without taking time to quarrel with other runners. That speaks to the temperament of the animal, but also to the single-mindedness that sometimes take over. Once their attention is focused on a particular thing, it may be difficult to break that concentration.
Greyhounds may seem a bit reserved. They don't tend to be effusive with their greetings, even for those people they are closest to. They are, however, extremely loyal and loving animals. One interesting point about a Greyhound is that he has a real tendency to be less active indoors. While he's ready to run and constantly curious outdoors, he's typically content to laze around with his people while inside.
That makes him an excellent choice for an indoor pet as long as you're able to allow him sufficient outdoor activity. But too much activity isn't really good for these dogs so it's important to find ways to help them get the exercise they need. Some Greyhound owners and trainers who raise Greyhounds only for racing practice euthanasia once the dog is no longer able to race. Some of these dogs are simply not suitable for family life after being trained for racing as predatory tendencies may be too strong to make them safe around small animals and children. Remember that they tend to chase anything that appears to be running from them. But many of these dogs are being sought by rescue groups who then work with the animals and grant adoption to families who qualify.
For more information on Greyhounds and other Popular, and not-so-popular breeds of dogs, visit The Hound Dog Directory
