Historical reference
Greyhounds have always been a shade of aristocracy; it is noteworthy that dogs did not have to fight, act as heroes, or die “in the name of...”, their character and external characteristics were valued always and everywhere. Having delved into history, it is not difficult to find information about dogs with the appearance of greyhounds, which is noteworthy; graceful four-legged animals left their mark in almost every country of the ancient world. Against the backdrop of irrefutable evidence of the widespread presence of greyhounds, debate about the origin of the Greyhound is still ongoing. There is also an official version; below we will consider it step by step.
Dogs of the Celts and early Salyugi
Celtic Greyhounds, distributed throughout Western and Central Europe, are perhaps the largest representatives of the early hound dogs. The line is believed to originate in Arabia. Nomadic tribes and trade caravans contributed to the rapid spread of Greyhounds throughout Europe. The hounds that arrived in the territories of modern Iran, Afghanistan, Syria and the Caucasus quickly fell into circulation and were highly valued by both hunters and nobility. Due to their wide distribution, the ancient Greyhounds became the basis for the development of all modern hound breeds. Afghan Hounds, Salyugi, Italian Greyhounds and Greyhounds are the most recognizable representatives of this line.
This is interesting! It is believed that the animals on Noah's Ark included Eastern Greyhounds (presumably the ancestors of all curly-tailed hounds).
Greyhounds of Ancient Egypt
The oldest breed line is recognized as greyhounds, which hunted in the hot expanses of Egypt. Mummified bones of ancient Greyhounds were discovered during excavations in Egypt; archaeologists dated the find to the 6th century BC. More “younger” evidence of Egyptian greyhounds was discovered during the study of the tombs of the IV dynasty of the Pharaohs (III century BC). Akmen, the ruler of the sacred city of Dep (in some sources called the “City of Two Dogs”), who held many high positions during his lifetime, was a passionate hunter. After his death, his subjects put into effect the last will of the patron - they depicted only hunting scenes and drawings of game on the walls of the tomb. Among the paintings carved in stone, archaeologists discovered three fragments depicting a hunt with dogs (presumably deer) very reminiscent of Greyhounds.
This is interesting! During the reign of the IV dynasty in Egypt, the pyramids of Cheops, Khafre and Mikerin were erected.
The breed was so loved by the rulers of Egypt that it was nurtured and multiplied behind the tightly closed gates of richly decorated palaces. The life of a dog was valued higher than that of a human; even the slightest mistake by the servants was punishable by death. There could be no question of Greyhounds living “among the people.” No matter how cruel it may sound, thanks to the dictatorial laws of Ancient Egypt, the purity of the breed was preserved, recognizable from the frescoes today.
Greyhounds of Ancient Greece
Hounds, which the Greeks immediately appreciated, were widely used as hunters and companions. Ancient Greece was under constant attack from Macedonia. From history we know that the forces of Alexander the Great broke the pressure only after the subjugation of the territories and the suppression of the resistance forces of the Greek city of Thebes.
What not to call a dog
Don't forget that Russia is a multinational country filled with people of different religious and political views. The dog's nickname should not offend the feelings of passers-by.
Do not choose names that degrade the animal. If you call the animal a Profaner, a Weasel or a Loser, then those around you will have a corresponding attitude towards your pet. The dog's name should not contain swear words.
Constant use of profanity will result in the owner being issued a fine by the police. You should not name a dog after a dead animal. A dead pet cannot be resurrected, so it is better for a new pet to come up with its own name.
Appearance
The appearance of the modern Greyhound directly depends on the type of activity of its immediate ancestors. Exterior is extremely important for show-class dogs; working hounds may have deviations and even defects, but still show excellent results on the hunt. Taking this “feature” into account, the severity of judging depends on the initial requirements. If you look at photos of the champions of the breed, you will notice a certain balance between beauty and power. At the same time, demonstrably strong or attractive dogs were often left outside the circle of honor. However, all experts agree that a Greyhound should be:
- Harmoniously built.
- Muscular, but not heavy.
- Refined but with strong bones.
- Proud, flexible, bewitching.
- Smart, gentle and loyal.
Character and training
The character of the Greyhound is worthy of a number of truthful and laudatory paragraphs (or even pages), but it is wiser to refute the myths. When communicating with “well-read beginners” or “canine theorists,” you can hear a number of interesting “facts” that distort the idea of the breed as a whole; the main ones are listed below:
- Hunting with a Greyhound is a basic maintenance requirement. Myth! The English greyhound is one of the few breeds of hounds that do not require serious exercise; two walks a day (60–80 minutes) will be enough. If you find time to attend coursing classes, it will be the optimal activity for your pet.
- Greyhound puppies are stupid and difficult to train - just nonsense. The breed is very easy to train, and it is enough to simply explain to the dog what is required of it. The English Greyhound does not accept forceful and formulaic training methods - this is the truth.
- Hound breeds are not suitable for urban maintenance. Why? A short-haired dog, ready to protect the home and owner, intelligent, loyal, and not requiring painstaking care - this is an ideal apartment pet.
- Greyhound hunting dogs do not respect/love/value their owners or are mindful of themselves. The dog knows how to make decisions, but you need to look for a more gentle and affectionate (in relation to everyone around) hunter. Of course, you shouldn’t delude yourself and get a decorative rabbit. By the way, even during games with relatives, the Greyhound can show instincts and strangle the “opponent” in a friendly manner.
- Greyhounds run away - this is partly true, dogs do tend to run away if they are not trained and walked properly.
- An English greyhound can reach a running speed of up to 80 km/h - a lie, only up to 60. By the way, Greyhounds are often injured (sometimes killed) when distracted during maneuvers, so walks should be done in calm and familiar territory.
This is interesting! The Greyhound broke all records for the maximum speed of hounds, accelerating to 67 km/h, running 366 meters in 19.57 seconds. It has been established that the jerk speed fluctuates in the gears at 90 cm/h, which is more than that of famous racing cars. However, the English Greyhound is a short distance sprinter.
How to come up with a suitable name for a dog?
When choosing a dog name, you must use logic and common sense.
You should not choose a nickname that is similar to the names of family members and other pets. The nickname should be sonorous and simple. If you find it difficult to choose a nickname, then you should turn to your favorite films and books.
Remember the names of positive and negative characters; it may well be that one of them will suit your dog. Additional sources of information can be cartoons, comics and computer games.
Maintenance and care
English Greyhounds require as much care as any short-haired dog. Periodic brushing, washing, use of suits for inclement weather and testing. Particular attention is paid to the health of the teeth and the length of the claws. It is necessary to feed your Greyhound dog heavily only during the period of active growth. An adult greyhound eats no more than a shepherd dog, most often does not suffer from allergies and is not “picky” in food.
Advice! When purchasing ammunition, opt for a special, wide collar for greyhounds.
"Famous" name for a dog
After this, you can choose a “famous” name for your pet. Some dogs are officially nominated for state awards for special services (detaining criminals, fighting, saving people in emergency situations). Find out the nicknames of the furry heroes and name your animals by their names.
Contact a kennel or professional breeders; they will definitely give you lists of popular dog names from which you can choose a suitable name.
Health
Greyhounds are naturally healthy dogs, but the future owner needs to know a few nuances:
- Like all greyhounds, the breed is prone to developing age-related arthritis.
- Anesthesia and other strong medications can cause an allergic reaction and should be prescribed by a doctor. Even low-quality anti-parasite products can harm a four-legged animal.
