Greyhound is one of the fastest of all dogs. It originated more than 5,000 years ago in Egypt, where it was used to hunt gazelles. Greyhounds also were once used to hunt game in North America, especially on the Kansas plains. The dogs hunted mainly by sight and chased down the game animal. Today, greyhounds compete in track racing, in which they chase a mechanical lure on an oval track.
A greyhound is a strong and elegant animal. It has a streamlined body, a long head, an arched flank, a slender waist, and strong, powerful legs. It has a short coat that may be gray, white, black, yellowish-brown, reddish, or bluish-gray, or a mixture of colors. The animal weighs 60 to 70 pounds (27 to 30 kilograms).
Greyhounds used in track racing are registered with the National Greyhound Association in Abilene, Kansas. Greyhounds bred for show are registered with the American Kennel Club in Raleigh, North Carolina.
