Greyhounds are known and recognized thanks to their very characteristic morphology: they are slender, elongated even thin, with long and thin legs and a deep chest. This morphology gives them attitudes to sprinting superior to that of all other dog breeds. The greyhound is in fact the only dog ​​capable of practicing the famous “flying gallop”. Although their size varies greatly from one breed to another, all greyhounds have a “graoid” type morphology: the body is thin and slender, the head and muzzle are long and thin.

Poil : short (English wolfhound, Hungarian…), semi-long (Irish wolfhound…), or long (Borzoi, Afghan hound…).

Size (height at the withers): from 30 cm for the small Italian wolfhound to more than 80 cm for the Irish wolfhound (Irish wolfhound).

Weight : from 5 kg to more than 50 kg depending on the breed.

The word “greyhound” comes from the word “hare”. So these dogs served as a hunting dog, which is hardly surprising given their racing skills. It is very difficult to write a coherent history as the diversity is great within the group of greyhounds. However, it can be said that the existence of dogs related to the present-day greyhounds dates back to antiquity and is attested by pieces of art such as paintings, engravings and sculptures. The current greyhound breeds are said to be of Asian and African stock.

As the greyhound is no longer used much for hunting, it has been converted into a companion dog. There are traits common to several breeds of greyhounds: they are often described as animals with a discreet and reserved temperament, distant from strangers and sometimes even from their relatives (many owners of greyhound however mention their attachment to their family) . Like most dogs that have become pets and not working dogs assigned to this or that task, greyhounds do not cope with being left alone for long hours.

Greyhounds have a physiology that is distinctly different from that of other dog breeds. Their fat mass being very reduced, their diet must be closely monitored. Ideally, it should be developed with the help of a veterinarian who will adapt the rations to the animal.

Hunting with the greyhound has been banned in France since the middle of the XNUMXth century. But if this animal is no longer used for this purpose, it has retained hunting instincts. So it is absolutely necessary to provide it with a fenced living space and avoid the presence of other small pets in the house.