We want to know everything about dogs. Everything! But there are countless breeds of dog out there, and each one is a unique animal with its own history. That's why every week, we shine a spotlight on a different breed. This week, learn some fun facts about greyhounds.
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GREYHOUNDS ORIGINATED IN ANCIENT EGYPT
The greyhound is one of the most ancient breeds. Unlike many other old breeds, their roots can be traced to different countries on all of the continents. However, the earliest evidence is from Egypt, where carvings dating back to 2900 B.C.E. clearly depict greyhound-like dogs.
Pictured: Relief of greyhounds at the Saqqara necropolis in Cairo, Egypt.
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GREYHOUNDS ARE THE FASTEST DOGS IN THE WORLD
It should come as no surprise that these racing dogs are in fact the fastest breed on Earth. Greyhounds have been around since ancient times, and they've always been built for speed. Their fleet feet have been known to carry the breed at speeds of up to 45 mph.
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THE GREYHOUND IS NICKNAMED "THE 40-MPH COUCH POTATO"
Despite their speed, greyhounds are surprisingly not full of boundless energy. The opposite is usually true. When not racing, greyhounds are almost catlike in their quiet relaxation. They're quite content to spend a lot of time lying around, earning themselves their dubious nickname.
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AT ONE TIME IN ENGLAND, KILLING A GREYHOUND WAS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH
Greyhounds almost died out during the Middle Ages, but clergymen preserved the breed. Subsequently, only nobles owned the breed, which England's King Canute codified in 1014, ruling that only nobles were allowed to have greyhounds. The dogs were considered more valuable than serfs, and anyone responsible for killing a greyhound faced execution.
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THE GODDESS DIANA IS OFTEN DEPICTED WITH GREYHOUNDS
In mythology, the goddess Diana (a Roman analogue to the Greek goddess Artemis) is the goddess of wildlife and the hunt. As such, Diana often is depicted accompanied by deer, hunting hounds or both. In many works of art, the dogs by Diana's side are greyhounds.
Pictured: Sculpture of Diana with hounds at Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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GREYHOUNDS ARE THE ONLY DOG BREED NAMED IN THE BIBLE
Readers can find dozens of references to dogs in the King James Bible, but there's only one mention of a specific breed. Proverbs 30:29–31 describes four creatures that move in a "comely" manner: lions, greyhounds, male goats and kings. However, other translations replace greyhounds with roosters in the verse.
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GREYHOUNDS DON'T SIT VERY WELL
You may hear that greyhounds can't sit, but that's not quite true. Greyhounds are physically capable of sitting, but their musculature makes the position uncomfortable and unnatural for them. So you can train your greyhound to sit for a treat, but he won't like it. And you'll rarely see a greyhound sit down on its own volition.
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PRESIDENT HAYES OWNED A GREYHOUND
When Rutherford B. Hayes took the Oval Office in 1876, he brought his many dogs with him to the White House. But the first dog he adopted while in office was a greyhound named Grim. Hayes said of Grim, "He is good-natured and neat in his habits … and took all our hearts at once." Sadly, Grim was killed by a train not long after Hayes left office.
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A GREYHOUND IS CONSIDERED ONE OF ENGLAND'S GREATEST ATHLETES
One of history's most famous greyhounds is Mick the Miller, a racing greyhound born in 1926. Although his sports career lasted only three years, Mick the Miller become arguably the most famous racing greyhound of all time. He set several records that lasted for decades, including winning 19 races in a row. At his peak, Mick the Miller was as famous and popular as any other English athlete.
Pictured: Mick The Miller is held on a leash after a trial at the White City race course in London, England, May 13, 1931.
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THE GREYHOUND IS A POPULAR COLLEGIATE MASCOT
The greyhound is a popular school mascot, representing colleges and universities including Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts; Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico; the University of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana; Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland; Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; and Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota, to name just a few.
Pictured: Greyhound statues on campus at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
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