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)*
  • *Normal weight range
Litter size 1–12 pups
Kennel club standards
The Kennel Club standard
Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The English Greyhound, or simply the Greyhound, is a breed of dog and a sighthound. It is an ancient breed historically developed for hunting game by sight and speed, and has later been used in organised coursing and greyhound racing. Greyhounds are also kept as show dogs and companion animals.

Greyhounds are characterised by a tall, muscular, smooth-coated build, a long tail, tough feet, and a distinctive flexible, "S-shaped" outline typical of sighthounds. They are a distinct breed from other related sighthounds, such as the Italian greyhound.

The Greyhound's long legs, deep chest, flexible spine, and slim build enable high sprinting speeds. In racing contexts, greyhounds can reach peak speeds of at least 69 km/h (43 mph), with typical winning speeds of approximately 58–61 km/h (36–38 mph).

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