Greyhound

My oldest ancestor was the Tesem, the sight hound depicted in Egyptian tomb carvings thousands of years B.C. Phoenician sailors brought us from Greece to Great Britain (and the name "Greek Hound" or Greyhound followed). Spanish conquistadors brought us to the Americas in the 1500s. Although we've helped hunt deer and fox, we're most adept in pursuit of hare -- sprinting to speeds over 40 miles per hour. When the mechanical rabbit was invented in 1912, dog racing really took off. Many adopted Greyhounds these days are retired from the track. We were accepted in the AKC's Hound Group in 1885.

• Affectionate, devoted family friend
• Agile and active
• Always alert
• Born to run, happy to walk
• Cats should keep their distance
• Energizer doggie
• Even-tempered, good-natured
• High-strung

• Independent thinker
• Never aggressive
• Novice owners could be challenged with this breed
• Caters to country, tolerates town
• Socialization and training should start early
• Spirited
• Training can be difficult
• Indifferent to strangers

When I come home with you the first day, I'll be looking for three things: a good strong leash for walking (two 20-minute walks a day are enough exercise, and forget the racing because I'm tired of that). Then I'll look for the top of the fence (it better be high because I easily jump over low ones). Finally, I will look for something to chase (cats are best, and you'll never talk or train me out of chasing). The Greyhound is a sight hound. Once we catch sight of something, we usually catch up with it.

Possible bleeding disorders, bloat, and lens luxation.