Gaia Greyhounds

A Bit of History

Greyhounds are an ancient breed, perhaps one of the oldest types of domestic dog still in existence today. Evidence of their origins goes back over 4000 years. They were prized pets and hunting companions of many ancient peoples, including the Egyptians, Arabs, Greeks, and Romans. Greyhounds were bred as coursing dogs, with the ability to sight game over huge expanses of open terrain and to run at great speeds over long distances in pursuit of their prey. Thus, Greyhounds were bred to have streamlined bodies and narrow heads to cut the wind, deep chests to allow for enlarged heart and lung capacity, long legs and well muscled quarters to enable them to cover ground at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. They possess keen intellect and seem intuitively connected to each other and their prey when coursing in an open field.

Greyhounds probably came to England with the Gaelic peoples and quickly became popular with the nobility of the land. The Royal Houses kept and hunted with Greyhounds. The peasants also recognized the value of these dogs and their ability to catch small game. Many homesteads kept a Greyhound or two. In 1014, King Canute instituted the Forest Laws, forbidding commoners to hunt with their Greyhounds on Royal Lands. Any peasant caught hunting in the Royal Forests would be fined and his Greyhound seized, lamed, or killed. These laws, in one form or another, remained in effect for hundreds of years, and the constant battles between the nobility and the commoners became known as the Greyhound Wars. This was the time when the white or parti-colored Greyhounds became associated with the nobility, and the solid colored dogs, with the common folk. The darker colored dogs were better camouflaged when they hunted in the forests and fields at dusk or early morning.

The prejudice concerning the colors of Greyhounds continued down through the years and was still affecting the Greyhound as a show dog in the United States as late as the 1950's and 60's. The white and parti-colored Greyhounds were the ones who appeared most often in the show ring and did the most winning. Happily, today, this prejudice does not exist and although many owners and breeders prefer one color to another, success in the show ring is no longer controlled by the color of a Greyhound.

Coursing as a sport grew out of the Greyhounds' natural hunting abilities and tremendous speed and agility in the field. In England in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Landed Gentry, being the sporting folk that they were, formed coursing clubs and met on weekends to compete with their Greyhounds. The Waterloo Cup was one such contest, and it grew to become the premier coursing event in the world. At a coursing meet, several dogs are slipped (loosed) at the "Tally Ho!" signal of the Huntmaster and chase a hare until it is either caught or eludes the dogs. Each Greyhound in competition is judged on its speed, agility, ability to follow and turn the hare, and on the kill. Coursing became popular in the United States in the West and Midwest when farmers and ranchers imported Greyhounds from England and Ireland to help control animals that were destroying their crops and livestock. They were soon holding coursing meets in this country, also, and new groups of people learned to appreciate the speed, hunting abilities, and beauty of the Greyhound.

In the early 1900's Oval Track Racing was developed and quickly grew in importance. This new Greyhound activity became more popular than coursing, as it was contained within a smaller space, did not involve the killing of live game, and lent itself well as a spectator sport. In the last ten years there has been a tremendous grass roots movement in this country and abroad to adopt retired racers and place them in loving homes. This movement, accompanied as it has been by extensive media coverage, is placing thousands of Greyhounds into homes each year and adding greatly to the already well established interest in the breed.

The Greyhound is one of the most aesthetically pleasing members of the dog world. Although he is not fluffy, cute and cuddly, he does seem to appeal to the "artist" in all of us. The Greyhound has appeared quite often in art through the ages, depicted on tomb walls, ancient Greek and Roman pottery and statues, and in practically all tapestries depicting hunting scenes. He was used extensively in advertising and artwork of the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods. Many ads in the 1930's, 40's, and 50's showed models accompanied by Greyhounds. Several different car manufacturers used the Greyhound in their advertising, as their logo, or as a hood ornament. Of course, America's best known bus line adopted the Greyhound not only as its logo, but as its name as well.

The Greyhound's incredible elegance, grace and beauty attract those with a heightened sense of fashion and design. His power and speed interests those who move in the "fast lane". His muscular build and agility liken him to the athlete. His sporting nature and colorful history endear him to the outdoorsman and members of the "horsey set". His gentleness, devotion and sense of humor garner him a place in the hearts of all those who know and love him.

The Greyhound was long considered dogdom's "best kept secret". Now that the word is out, more and more people are purchasing or adopting Greyhounds. Greyhound adopters and owners are an intensely loyal and supportive group who love their charges with a passion

Every place you go and everyone you talk to is aware of the plight of the retired racing Greyhound. Ask any group of people. At least one, often several , have either adopted a Greyhound, plan to adopt a Greyhound, or know someone who has adopted a Greyhound. Ninety-nine per cent of the those who come into close contact with members of the breed, adore them. There are hundreds and hundreds of adoption organizations in the United States. There are newsletters, catalogues, and magazines devoted exclusively to the Greyhound. The Greyhound information and activity on the Internet is overwhelming.

There is definitely a great interest in the breed around the globe. After so many years of companionship with mankind, years filled with love, humor and admiration, but also, sadly, with cruelty, abuse and misuse, the Greyhound is finally realizing his due; a soft place on the couch of a family who adores him and a society who appreciates one of the most colorful, most beautiful dogs in existence today.