If you’ve ever been around a Greyhound, you probably know that they are big, gorgeous, gentle creatures. It may be the fastest dog breed in the world, but it is also one of the oldest; it’s featured in ancient paintings in Egyptian tombs.
However, that’s not the only interesting fact about Greyhounds that you might not have known. There are plenty of strange facts about the breed, but in this list, we’ll concentrate on eleven of the most fascinating.
The 11 Most Fascinating Facts About Greyhounds
1. Greyhounds are the Fastest Dog Breed in the World
Greyhounds are faster than any other dog and one of the fastest land animals in the world. The fastest land animal is the Cheetah, which runs at an average speed of 68 miles per hour (mph), and Greyhounds run at an average rate of 45 mph. They even have the same gallop as a cheetah: the rotary gallop.
The world record holder for the fastest Greyhound was Fanta, whose top speed was 50.5 mph. That’s as fast as a car on a city street, so your Greyhound could possibly outrun you in your vehicle; how cool is that?
2. They’re Known to Be Lazy Dogs
Although they’re famous for their running speed, Greyhounds are also known for being lazy pups. They are considered couch potatoes and love nothing more than lounging around with their owners, so don’t be surprised if your new pet hops up on the couch, lays his head on your lap, and binge-watches your favorite series with you.
3. They Hunt with Their Sight Instead of Their Smell
Most hunting dogs use their noses to hunt, but the Greyhound breaks the mold. The Greyhound is perfectly made for hunting by eyesight; that is why they’re referred to as “sighthounds.” They have long slender heads and narrow eyes on their sides, giving them 270 degrees of vision. Humans only have 180 degrees of vision.
4. Depictions of Greyhounds Appear in Ancient Egyptian Pyramids
The Greyhound is an ancient breed. Greyhound fossils have been found in modern-day Syria that date back four millennia. An ancestor to the Greyhound breed was found in the Czech Republic, dating back to the 9th century. Perhaps most interestingly, however, the Greyhound is depicted in ancient Egyptian tombs.
5. They Were Revered as Gods
In Ancient Egypt, the Greyhound was viewed as godlike. Because of this, only Egyptian royalty was allowed to own them. Anyone can own one of these majestic dogs today, so go out and find one to give a forever home.
6. They’re Presidential
Not one, not two, but three American presidents have owned Greyhounds. The 1st President of the United States of America, George Washington, owned a Greyhound named Cornwallis. The dog was named after General Cornwallis, the British general that surrendered during the American Revolution.
The 19th President, Rutherford B. Hayes, also owned a Greyhound named Grim, and the 28th President, Woodrow Wilson, had his own Greyhound named Mountain Boy.
7. The Penalty for Killing a Greyhound Used to be Death
During the Middle Ages in England, the death penalty for killing a Greyhound was execution.
8. Greyhounds Feature in Many Famous Pieces of Literature
Greyhounds are featured in many essential and famous writings. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales includes a Greyhound. The breed is also discussed in many of William Shakespeare’s works, including Henry V. Finally, the character Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey has a Greyhound named Argus.
9. The Simpsons Own a Greyhound
The Simpson Family from the hit television series, The Simpsons, has a pet Greyhound named Santa’s Little Helper, which was introduced in the first episode in 1989.
10. Many Famous People Have Owned Greyhounds
Earlier in the article, we mentioned that three US Presidents had owned Greyhounds, but they are by no means the only famous Greyhound owners. Famous Greyhound owners include Al Capone, Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, Trent Reznor, Elizabeth I, and Babe Ruth.
11. The Greyhound is the Mascot of Many Universities
Eastern New Mexico University, Assumption College, Yankton College, University of Indianapolis, Moravian College, and Loyola University have a Greyhound as their mascot.
12. Retired Racing Greyhounds Are in Need of Homes
No matter your opinion on Greyhound racing, it is undisputedly true that retired racing Greyhounds need and deserve homes. You can help them by adopting them and giving them a home where they can be the world’s fastest couch potatoes. You can be sure that you will get a ton of love and loyalty in return for giving this gorgeous breed a forever home.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of fascinating facts about Greyhounds. They are an ancient breed that they have been owned by presidents, celebrities, and TV stars, and they are gentle, loving dogs that anyone would be lucky to own.
Remember, there are retired racing Greyhounds that are looking for forever homes. Now is the time if you’ve ever thought about adopting or purchasing a Greyhound dog. In return, you’ll get a loving, loyal, yet quite lazy pet.
Featured Image Credit: Liliya Kulianionak, Shutterstock
