History
One of the first types of dogs selectively bred by humans was the sighthound: a dog that could run after and catch game by outrunning it. Greyhound-like dogs have been depicted since ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman times. The name greyhound may come from Graius, meaning "Greek," or from the Latin gradus, denoting "high grade." Greyhounds were used for coursing hare for sport, and during the 1800s coursing became a consuming pastime of the upper class. Early American immigrants often brought greyhounds with them to the New World, where they proved adept at coursing on the open plains. When coursing was made available to the masses by staging it first in closed parks and then on tracks after a mechanical lure, the greyhound's fate was sealed. Track racing proved so popular that dogs were bred specifically for short bursts of speed, ultimately resulting in the fastest breed of dog. At the same time, greyhounds entered the show ring. The breed soon became divided into show and racing types, which were seldom interbred. In America, the greyhound is one of the least popular breeds according to AKC registrations of show stock. The National Greyhound Association registers many thousands of greyhounds annually; however, recently retired racers from NGA stock have become popular as pets.

Upkeep
The greyhound needs daily exercise, but it is a sprinter, not an endurance runner. Its needs can thus be met with a chance to run, or by a longer walk on leash. It loves to run and chase outdoors, and can easily run into danger at great speed unless exercised in a safe area. It is not generally amenable to living outdoors. Greyhounds relish creature comforts and must have soft bedding and warmth. The coat is extremely easy to care for, needing only occasional brushing to remove dead hair.

Health
Major concerns: none
Minor concerns: esophageal achalasia (failure of a ring of muscle fibers to relax), gastric torsion, osteosarcoma (malignant bone tumor)
Life span: 10-13 years
Note: Racing injuries especially toe, hock and muscle injuries are common in retired NGA dogs. Both NGA and AKC greyhounds are sensitive to anesthesia and are prone to lacerations and tail-tip injuries.

Form and Function

The ultimate running dog, the greyhound is built for speed. Its long legs and arched back enable it to contract and stretch maximally while executing the double-suspension gallop. It has tremendous muscle mass and light legs, further enhancing speed. The feet are long and narrow, giving maximum leverage. The long tail serves as a rudder and brake when running at high speed. The coat is short and smooth. Two types of greyhounds are available: AKC (show) and NGA (racing). Retired NGA greyhounds are smaller, sturdier and faster than show dogs and may be more inclined to chase small animals.