Greyhound

This article is about the breed of dog. For other uses, see Greyhound (disambiguation).
Greyhound
Other namesEnglish Greyhound
Origin(Widespread)
Traits
Height Males 71 to 76 centimetres (28 to 30 in)
Females 68 to 71 centimetres (27 to 28 in)
Weight Males 27 to 40 kilograms (60 to 88 lb)*
Females
  • 25 to 34 kilograms (55 to 75 lb)*[1]
  • *Normal weight range[1]
Litter size 1–12 pups
Kennel club standards
The Kennel Club standard
Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)
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The English Greyhound, or simply the Greyhound, is a breed of dog, a sighthound which has been bred for coursing, greyhound racing and hunting. Since the rise in large-scale adoption of retired racing Greyhounds, the breed has seen a resurgence in popularity as a family pet.

Greyhounds are defined as a tall, muscular, smooth-coated, "S-shaped" type of sighthound with a long tail and tough feet. Greyhounds are a separate breed from other related sighthounds, such as the Italian greyhound.[2][3]

The Greyhound's combination of long, powerful legs, deep chest, flexible spine, and slim build allows it to reach average race speeds exceeding 64 kilometres per hour (40 mph).[4][5][6] A racing greyhound can reach a full speed of at least 21.3 m/s (77 km/h) 47 mph.[7][8][9]

However, the most common speeds at which they usually win races are 58–61 Km/h (16–17 m/s).[10] Its maximal speed is attained whether both running in a straight or bending track.[10]

  1. ^ a b "2018 Oaks first round results". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  2. ^ "Greyhound Dog Breed Information". American Kennel Club. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  3. ^ "Greyhound Type - The Archtypical Sighthound". Greyhound Club Of America. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  4. ^ Gunnar von Boehn. "Shepparton (VIC) Track Records". Greyhound-data.com. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  5. ^ Gunnar von Boehn. "Singleton (NSW) Track Records". Greyhound-data.com. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  6. ^ Gunnar von Boehn. "Capalaba (QLD) Track Records". Greyhound-data.com. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  7. ^ "thedogs - Richmond Straight 29 April 2023 Race 10". www.thedogs.com.au.
  8. ^ "thedogs - Richmond Straight". www.thedogs.com.au.
  9. ^ Sharp, N.C. Craig.Animal athletes: a performance review Veterinary Record Vol 171 (4) 87-94 2012
  10. ^ a b Usherwood, J. R.; Wilson, A. M. (2005). "No force limit on greyhound sprint speed". Nature. 438 (7069): 753–754. doi:10.1038/438753a. ISSN 1476-4687. PMID 16341003.