The Greyhound, a breed of sighthound dog, has historically been bred for coursing, racing, and hunting. With the increasing adoption of retired racing Greyhounds, they've become more popular as family pets. Known for their speed and agility, Greyhounds are now finding a second life in homes, transitioning from the track to the couch.
1926: Introduction of Modern Greyhound Racing
In 1926, modern greyhound racing was introduced in the United States and England.
1927: Expansion of Greyhound Racing
In 1927, greyhound racing expanded to Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland.
1928: Greyhound Wins Best in Show at Crufts
In 1928, a Greyhound named Primley Sceptre won Best in Show at Crufts.
1956: Greyhound's Latest Best in Show Win at Crufts
A Greyhound won Best in Show at Crufts for the most recent time in 1956, the third such win for the breed.
1974: Archaeozoology Study on Greyhounds in Britain
In 1974, a systematic archaeozoology study of Britain ruled out the presence of a true greyhound-type before Roman occupation.
2000: Confirmation of Greyhound Absence in Pre-Roman Britain
Findings from the year 2000 confirmed the earlier study's results regarding the absence of greyhounds in Britain before Roman occupation.
2000: Rock Art Depicting Greyhounds
Rock art in Tassili dating back to 2000 BC depicts a greyhound-like dog, further suggesting their ancient origins.
2005: Swedish Study on Greyhound Lifespan
A 2005 Swedish study using insurance data indicated that 60% of Greyhounds died by the age of 10, exceeding the overall rate of 35% for dogs.
2008: University of Pennsylvania Study on Greyhound Aggression
In 2008, a University of Pennsylvania study revealed that Greyhounds are among the least aggressive dog breeds towards strangers, owners, and other dogs. However, they can be prone to sleep startle/sleep aggression.
2024: UK Study on Greyhound Lifespan
A 2024 UK study found the average Greyhound lifespan to be 11.5 years, compared to 12.7 years for purebreds and 12 years for crossbreeds.