The breed's origin can be traced to ancient Egypt, where a bas-relief depicting a Greyhound was found in a tomb built in 4000 BC. Historically, these sight hounds have been used primarily for hunting in the open where their keen eyesight is a distinct advantage. It is believed that they were introduced to England in the 5th and 6th centuries BC by the Celts during their invasions.
Until the early twentieth century, Greyhounds were principally bred and trained for coursing.
During the early 1920s, modern Greyhound racing was introduced into the United States and introduced into United Kingdom and Ireland in 1926.
Changes in public opinion regarding blood sport has essentially removed the Greyhound from hunting and relegated the breed to pari-mutuel stakes racing.
In part due to the feelings of some people that the conditions under which racing Greyhounds are kept are inhumane, in the late 20th century several Greyhound adoption groups were formed. These groups began taking Greyhounds from the racetracks when they could no longer compete and placing them in adoptive homes. Previously, most retired Greyhounds were killed; some still are.
Most Greyhounds are bred for racing. However, there are several reasons why some Greyhounds never race:
- The dog is too slow.
- The dog has physical defects.
- The dog does not have the required temperament.
- The dog is not raised in a country where racing is popular.
- The dog is bred for showing instead racing.
Most finish racing between two and three years of age.
Although Greyhounds are extremely fast dogs, they are not high-energy dogs. They are sprinters and do not require much exercise once they leave the track. Most are quiet, gentle animals. Greyhounds are often referred to as "Forty-five mile an hour couch potatoes."
Greyhounds make good pets because of their mild and affectionate character. They can get along well with children and family pets (often including cats). Greyhounds are generally loyal, tractable dogs with developed intellects. Their talents include sighting and hunting. They do not have undercoats and therefore are less likely to trigger people's dog allergies (Greyhounds are sometimes incorrectly referred to as "hypoallergenic"). Most Greyhounds that live as pets are adopted after they retire from racing.
Most companion Greyhounds are kept on a leash because their hunting background has instilled a strong desire to chase things. Greyhounds can live in an urban setting but require moderate exercise on a regular basis. They enjoy walking and running outside.
Male dogs are usually 28 to 30 inches (71-76 cm) tall at the withers and weigh around 65 to 90 pounds (29-36 kg). Females tend to be smaller with shoulder heights ranging from 27 to 28 inches (68-71 cm) and weights from 50 to 75 pounds (27-31 kg). Greyhounds have very short hair, which is easy to maintain. There are approximately thirty recognized colors, of which variations of white, brindle, fawn, black, gray, white, red, and blue can appear uniquely or in combination.
Perhaps, the most widely recognized Greyhound in late 20th century and early 21st century popular culture is the fictional character Santa's Little Helper from the Fox Broadcasting Company animated series, The Simpsons.
The character Santa's Little Helper exhibits many of the intellectual and behavioral characteristics of the typical Greyhound as a pet. He is portrayed as affectionate, tolerant of other household pets (notably cats), loyal, and not overly active. His origins on the program stem from an episode in which Homer Simpson, after placing a losing bet on Santa's Little Helper in a Greyhound race, discovers that because of his poor performance, his owner has discarded him to the streets to fend for himself.
In keeping with the perception that The Simpson family is comprised of "losers" and "outcasts", Homer decides that Santa's Little Helper is too much like the rest of the family to not be a perfect addition.
Santa's Little Helper has been a supporting character ever since, though he once nearly died due to a twisted bowel.