“The greyhound industry is the most violent industry you could ever imagine. The conditions that the dogs live in are horrendous and the treatment that they get at the end of it is unbelievable.”
— George Anderson, chairman Northern Irelands Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary
The Arab peoples have kept greyhound-type dogs for several thousand years. The Saluki, which almost certainly shares with the greyhound a common ancestor, is still used as a hunting dog by some Arabs today. Arabian Bedouin for centuries have been devout Muslims, and so follow ritual restrictions against contact with dogs. But they dont consider their Salukis to be dogs and so dont believe that contact with them is unclean. The Quran permits the eating of game killed by hawks or Salukis (but not by other dogs). The Pashtun tribes in Afghanistan make the same distinction between Saluki and dog, so this probably goes back long before the birth of Islam in the seventh century. Bedouin so admired the physical attributes and speed of the Saluki that it was the only dog permitted to share their tents and ride atop their camels. In early Arabic culture, the birth of a Saluki ranked in importance just behind the birth of a son. The Bedouin use Salukis to hunt gazelle, hare, bustard (a type of bird), jackal, fox, and wild ass. They consider Salukis the Gift of Allah to his children. `
In the past, greyhounds were moved from track to track as various racing seasons ended. Year-round racing now keeps many dogs in one geographical area. A consistent racer may spend its entire career at only one or two tracks. However, dogs whose performance improves or declines still may be moved to higher or lower-graded tracks.
The popularity of greyhound coursing in Britian increased greatly in the nineteenth century, as the Industrial Revolution gave the manufacturing classes the wealth and time to enjoy such activities, and the expansion of rail made it easier to get to coursing events. Formal coursing meets reached their peak of popularity in the late 1800s. Some of these meets, such as the Waterloo Cup, are still held today. At huge coursing grounds like Ashdown and Amesbury, spectators followed the dogs on horseback. In live-hare coursing, two greyhounds are slipped (released) together. The winner is judged by a code of points: 1-3 for speed, 2-3 for the go-bye, 1 point for the turn (bringing the hare around at not less than a right angle), 1/2 point for the wrench (bringing the hare around at less than a right angle), 1-2 points for the kill, and 1 point for the trip (where the hare is thrown off its legs).
Greyhounds nearly became extinct during times of famine in the Middle Ages. They were saved by clergymen who protected them and bred them for the nobility. From this point on, they came to be considered the dogs of the aristocracy. In the tenth century, King Howel of Wales made killing a greyhound punishable by death. King Canute of England established the Forest Laws in 1014, reserving large areas of the country for hunting by the nobility. Only such persons could own greyhounds; any “meane person” (commoner) caught owning a greyhound would be severely punished and the dogs toes “lawed” (mutilated) to prevent it from hunting. In 1066 William the Conqueror introduced even more stringent forest laws. Commoners who hunted with greyhounds in defiance of these laws favored dogs whose coloring made them harder to spot: black, red, fawn, and brindle. Nobles by contrast favored white and spotted dogs who could be spotted and recovered more easily if lost in the forest. It became common among the English aristocracy to say, “You could tell a gentleman by his horses and his greyhounds.” Old paintings and tapestries of hunting feasts often include greyhounds.
The Romans obtained their greyhounds from either the Greeks or the Celts. Roman authors like Ovid and Arrian refer to them as Celt Hounds. Some of their deities were accompanied by hounds. Diana (the Roman version of Artemis) hunted with hounds. She was considered a patron deity of animals, as depicted in this relief sculpture. In a popular Roman story, Diana gives a greyhound named Lelaps to her good friend Procris. Procris takes him hunting, and before long Procris spots a hare and pursues it. Unfortunately for Lelaps, the gods didnt want the hare to be caught and turned both Lelaps and the hare into stone. This scene is a common one in Roman art. Ovid also wrote about Procris and Lelaps (read an excerpt).
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Greyhound Dog Breed Information: Temperament & Facts | Petplan
Italian Greyhounds are a conundrum: for all their speed potential theyre usually infuriatingly slow, miniature-sized – and theyre not even Italian. No wonder theyve entranced people since the heyday of the ancient Egyptians, as Katy Birchall explains.
If, however, this strikes fear into your heart, do not apply. With an Italian greyhound trotting at your feet, you should prepare to be stopped wherever you go.
Often mistaken for whippet puppies, the Italian greyhound is the smallest of the sighthound family – the breed is officially classed in the ‘toy’ group in the UK, but, for all intents and purposes, is recognised as a sighthound – and is less well known than its cousins, sparking immediate curiosity.
‘They want to know what the breed is and whether they’re fully grown. Everyone is amazed when I tell them Romi is seven.’
Having previously owned German shepherds, Mrs Moseley was on the lookout for a smaller breed, but wasn’t convinced by the idea of a lapdog.
‘I was on holiday in the South of France and saw a family walking by with this beautiful little sighthound. After researching the breed, I realised Italian greyhounds ticked all the boxes: a small dog with a big personality,’ she says.
‘It’s astounding that the breed isn’t so well known when you think about how long it’s been around.’
The Italian greyhound’s history is fascinating and its name misleading. With evidence of origins in Ancient Egypt, making it one of the world’s oldest breeds, the Italian greyhound is thus called thanks to its prevalence in Renaissance art. Its sphinx-like appearance, with a narrow chest, slender neck and legs, long muzzle and bright, expressive eyes, naturally lends itself to an artist’s brush.
However, its popularity as a loyal companion dog to the prominent and privileged throughout history has also played a large part in securing its spot on canvas. Once a fashionable favourite with British nobility, the breed has counted Queen Victoria, Charles I, Anne Boleyn and Mary, Queen of Scots among its fans.
‘The first time I set eyes on an Italian greyhound was when I opened my history textbook in school and there was a painting of Catherine the Great with one at her feet,’ explains Christine Chau, co-founder of luxury dog-bed company Charley Chau.
‘Years later, when I was thinking about getting a dog, I remembered the one in that painting: elegant and slightly mischievous-looking.’
Now the owner of five Italian greyhounds – Charley, Anna, Tino, Theo and ‘manic’ Mabel – Miss Chau affectionately credits them for sparking her business venture, which today has customers in more than 45 countries.
‘At the time, I was working in the City and had Charley and Anna,’ she recalls. ‘I’d ordered many expensive dog beds, but they were all lumpy and poorly made. My sister and I decided to have a go at making one ourselves and so our signature Snuggle Bed was born. It’s perfect, because it has the cover for them to burrow under – Italian greyhounds are real creatures of comfort.’
Heat-seekers through and through, these little dogs will hunt down the cosiest spot in any house (duvets are particularly tempting). Owners tend to be lenient when it comes to furniture privileges – a decision made easier thanks to the Italian greyhound’s silk-like coat, which doesn’t leave hairs all over the place – and those in the know are well-versed in checking lumps under blankets before sitting down.
‘I’ve walked to the top of Snowdon and back with mine and I’ve taken them to the Alps,’ says Jo Amsel, who owns 12 Italian greyhounds, a dachshund and a Spanish galgo.
‘They’re real sighthounds. You can walk them as far as you want and they’re still bouncing.’
A trustee of the Italian Greyhound Rescue Charity, Mrs Amsel emphasises that these are very much small hounds and shouldn’t be bought as a toy dog: ‘They’re extremely agile and need a lot of free running. It’s a beautiful sight to watch them go.’ Italian greyhounds are bundles of energy and can run at speeds up to 25mph.
The combination of agility, curiosity and a headstrong nature makes these dogs a mischievous and high-maintenance breed. They won’t take kindly to being left alone for hours and crave human interaction.
Guernsey-based photographer Ben Bailey-Davies grew up with whippets and lurchers, but reveals that it was the big character of the Italian greyhound that won him over. He now has two, Serge and Coco, from the same litter.
‘They need plenty of attention and don’t really understand the concept of personal space, preferring to sit on you than next to you,’ he says.
Mr Bailey-Davies finds himself laughing on a daily basis at their misdemeanours. ‘We used to have a clothes-drying rack in the house and every time we had a dinner party, Serge would make a point of going off and returning with a pair of pants to show everyone. He always looked very pleased with himself.’
Italian greyhounds can be greedy and will happily hop up onto kitchen counters and help themselves if you’re not careful. Mr Bailey-Davies once discovered Serge tucking into a bowl of Parmesan and Miss Chau’s Charley managed to consume an entire roast duck that she’d left on the side to cool – ‘he was lying on the sofa in a comatose state for hours’.
This wilful streak requires patience when it comes to training, but, for its advocates, it’s also one of the breed’s most charming and amusing qualities. ‘I often feel that Romi has a certain expectation of luxury I have to meet,’ Mrs Moseley admits.
‘She hates getting wet, so if we’re on a walk and it starts to rain, she heads straight home. She won’t wait around for me.’
As with all dogs, research before buying is an absolute necessity and potential owners should be wary of puppy farms – interest has recently been piqued in Italian greyhounds thanks to celebrity owners such as Kylie Jenner, youngest of the Kardashian empire.
‘Irresponsible breeding can result in health problems such as poor bone density, which causes leg breaks,’ warns Mrs Amsel, pointing out that advice can be found on the rescue website and Facebook page.
‘It should be kept in mind that it’s rare for a responsible breeder to advertise puppies for sale on the internet.’
Talk to an Italian greyhound owner and it will quickly become clear that, once these little dogs burrow their way into your heart, there’s no going back.
‘They’re fantastic characters, brilliant company and will go everywhere with you,’ Mr Bailey-Davies concludes. ‘The perfect little hound.’
Find out more about Italian Greyhounds at the Italian Greyhound Rescue Charity – www.italiangreyhoundrescuecharity.org.uk.
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