Dossier No. 13 · Egypt, antiquity (pharaoh's hound)
Greyhound
Refined apartments and quiet households who appreciate effortless grace.
- Stature
- Large
- Coat
- Sleek and close — fawn, brindle, black, or blue
- Temperament
- Gentle, serene, surprisingly lazy indoors
- Origin
- Egypt, antiquity (pharaoh's hound)
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Greyhound History & Origin
Depicted in Egyptian tomb art four thousand years before Christ, mentioned by Homer, and the only breed named in the King James Bible. English nobility regulated their ownership by law from the 11th century; for a thousand years, to own a greyhound was to declare your station.
II
Greyhound Personality
Gentle, serene, and — to the surprise of every first-time owner — astonishingly lazy indoors. They sprint in 30-second bursts and recover for 23 hours. They are quiet, clean, and possess a quality of stillness rare in any animal.
III
Living With a Greyhound
Apartments and townhouses are perfectly suitable. They require a daily walk, a securely fenced sprinting space once or twice a week, and a very soft sofa. They do not bark; they sigh.
IV
Notable Companions
Cleopatra is said to have kept greyhounds, and Henry VIII enacted the 'Forest Laws' reserving them for the aristocracy. General George Custer reportedly raced them before the Little Bighorn. Their patronage has always been royal, military, or simply very fast.
Questions we are asked
Greyhound: pedigree & puppy questions
Where does the Greyhound come from?
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The Greyhound originates from Egypt, antiquity (pharaoh's hound).
What is the Greyhound's temperament?
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Gentle, serene, surprisingly lazy indoors. Refined apartments and quiet households who appreciate effortless grace.
How big is a Greyhound and what is its coat like?
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Stature: Large. Coat: Sleek and close — fawn, brindle, black, or blue.
How do I check a Greyhound pedigree?
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Ask the breeder for the registered pedigree of both parents (AKC, The Kennel Club or FCI), then verify registration numbers with the registry and review the parents' health test results. GildedLeash reviews pedigrees and health clearances for every Greyhound on our register before any introduction.
How can I find a health-tested Greyhound puppy?
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GildedLeash works with a private register of vetted Greyhound breeders and arranges introductions to health-tested puppies. Email matchmaker@gildedleash.com or take our match questionnaire to begin.
Unsure whether the Greyhound suits your household? Take the match questionnaire, read our breed matching guide, or see how our puppy concierge sources pedigree puppies.