How Fast Does a Greyhound Run?

Greyhounds are amazing canines. The "cheetah" of the dog world, the greyhound can run faster than any other canine breed. Bred for speed, they are built for it like no other dog. Long, lean, with tremendous lung space and a huge heart, the greyhound can reach incredible speeds.

  1. History

    • Greyhounds have an ancient history. No one actually can pinpoint the origin of the breed, but it is likely the dogs were brought from the Arabian peninsula around 900 A.D., where they had been developed as hunting dogs in the desert. They share the same background as the Saluki and other desert hunting dogs. They were used by nobility for their private hunts and have survived to this day due to the sport of racing.

    Function

    • The greyhound is entirely built for running. Every line of its body is long and lean. The chest is deep, the spine flexible, the rear legs and haunches are incredibly powerful and the tail long and "rudderlike" to help the dog balance at high speeds. Top speed of the greyhound will reach 40 mph. The coat comes in all colors and is short and thin.

    Identification

    • Males stand 28 to 30 inches high and weigh 65 to 70 lbs. Females stand 27 to 28 inches tall and weigh 60 to 65 lbs. They come in all coat colors. The body is totally different from other dog breeds--every inch of the dog is built for speed. They resemble other animals built to run--the cheetah, the thoroughbred, the Saluki.

    Misconceptions

    • It is commonly believed that greyhounds are not good pet material as they are bred specifically for running. The fact is that once the animal's running days are over, they can make very good companions and friends. They are not particularly vigilant, as they were bred to run and not to guard. But they can make great family dogs as long as they get enough exercise.

    Expert Insight

    • Having known several rescued retired race dogs personally, I can vouch for the greyhound's ability to become wonderful household pets. The greyhound, like almost all other dogs, has an inherent desire to love and please people, and it relishes the chance to live with and please its masters. The dogs are easily housebroken, love to be loved on, and are easy to keep as they have very little coats to maintain. As long as they are given enough exercise, they make excellent house dogs. One drawback is they do not have a long lifespan. Ten to 12 years is the longest you can expect them to live.