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Dog Articles
Past and Present: Greyhound
Developed
originally for great speed in the pursuit of Antelope, Gazelles, and
desert Hares, the Greyhound, though one of the most ancient, is also
one of the most extreme types of dog known to man. Very slender and
fine of line, he still maintains great strength, and his lovely
‘compensating’ curves and streamlines of form present a wonderful
example of the beauty that inevitably accompanies a perfectly
adapted mechanism. His motion is supremely graceful and easy, and
in repose his elegance does not diminish.
This is
a tall dog, measuring from 28 to 31 inches at shoulder
and weighing from 60 to 70 pounds. The hair is short and close,
revealing intimately the wonderful surface muscles. The slender legs
have sufficient bone for strength, and the arched back is well
muscled, though slender. The sloping shoulders allow for a long
forward reach in the spring, and the chest, while rather narrow, is
immensely deep, with ribs fairly sprung, giving sufficient
capacity.
The head,
while slender, has considerable strength of jaw, and the eye is
bright and responsive. While not as intelligent as some dogs, the
Greyhound is by no means stupid. His finely chiseled head, delicate
ears, and arched neck give him a distinctive and wellborn
appearance equaled by few dogs.
The
Italian Greyhound is simply a diminutive greyhound. In both any
color is permissible.
As we look
to the ancient Greeks for the highest development of the human body,
so we look to the great hunting dogs of ancient lineage for the
highest development of canine grace. These tall, powerful hounds,
trained for ages to match their speed and strength against fleet and
often savage wild creatures, have, attained that beauty found only
in those things which are perfectly adapted to the purposes for
which they are used.
Swiftest
and most graceful of all, perhaps, is the English Greyhound. Built,
it would seem, of spring steel and whipcord, and with a short satin
coat which offers no resistance to the wind, this swallow among dogs
cleaves the air and barely touches the ground he flies over. Even
the fleet English Hare is no match for him in speed, and were it not
that the Hare has a clever knack, of dodging at the moment the dog
is about to overtake her, she would be quickly caught.
General
Roger D. Williams, of Lexington, Kentucky, who has done a great deal
of wolf-hunting in the West, states that Greyhounds can not only
overtake a Timber Wolf, but will close with him instantly,
regardless of consequences', which is more than some Wolfhounds will
do.
Source:
National Geographic 1919
Recommended Reading
Dog Training
Mastery - An Owners' Manual
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