Greyhound - Jacqueline Des Clayes - 11"H x 14"W

Greyhound - Jacqueline Des Clayes - 11"H x 14"W

The Greyhound is a sighthound which has been bred for coursing game and Greyhound racing.

It is a gentle and intelligent breed whose combination of long, powerful legs, deep chest, flexible spine and slim build allows it to reach average race speeds in excess of 40 mph

The breed's origin has in popular literature often romantically been connected to Ancient Egypt, in which it is believed "that the breed dates back about 4,000 years "

Historically, these sighthounds were used primarily for hunting in the open where their keen eyesight is valuable. It is believed that they were introduced to the British Isles in the 5th and 6th century BC from Celtic mainland Europe,

The name "Greyhound" is generally believed to come from the Old English grighund.

The Greyhound is the only dog mentioned by name in the Bible; many versions, including the King James version, name the Greyhound as one of the "four things stately" in the Proverbs.

In 1928, the very first winner of Best in Show at Crufts was Primley Sceptre, a Greyhound owned by H. Whitley.