Greyhound History
_This Regal Hound is the oldest known breed to man. In the ancient times of Africa and Arabia--the fastest hound reigned the region. Greyhounds were bred for their fleeting grace and extraordinary speed when hunting with their owners. In Egypt, greyhounds were revered, worshiped and a member of the Pharaoh's family--only the first son had a higher ranking. In the Pharaoh's tomb, there would be drawings on the wall and tapestries of his greyhounds so that they could join him in the afterlife. When the Pharaoh’s favorite companion past away, the family would mourn for two days and mummify the hound to join his master in the near future. As seen in the pictures above, this breed has hardly changed in the 4,000 years of its existence. In Russia, Greece, Rome and Babylon there was a different type of greyhound breed named the Saluki which had a longer coat to withstand the cold desert nights. This breed adapted to the treacherous terrain, sandstorms and drastic daily temperature changes. The leaders of the caravans held the Saluki's with high regard and would never sell them to other travelers. However, on special occasions, they were given as an honored gift to a revered warrior.
Before 1000 B.C., Greek noblemen purchased greyhounds from Egyptian merchants and this was proven by Homer, a Roman writer, in 800 B.C. In his book entitled The Odyssey, the main character returned home after being gone over twenty years and his greyhound named Argus was the only one to recognize his long lost owner. Art and coins from Greece depict short-haired hounds virtually identical to modern greyhounds; making it fairly certain that this breed has changed very little since 500 B.C. Around 325 B.C., a hound named Peritas reportedly accompanied the monarch Alexander the Great on his military campaigns. The Greek Gods were often portrayed with greyhounds—such as Hecate, the goddess of wealth. The god Pollux, the protector of the hunt was also depicted with greyhounds. The Romans obtained this breed either from the Greeks or the Celts. Roman authors such as Ovid and Arrian refer to them as Celt Hounds. Some of their deities were accompanied by greyhounds. Diana (the Roman version of Artemis) always hunted with her hounds as the picture above portrays. In 1916, Howel the King of Wales, associated the killing of a greyhound to be as grave as killing a human being, and both crimes were punishable by death. During the Middle Ages, greyhounds nearly became extinct due to the famine which plagued Europe. They were saved by clergymen who protected and bred them for the nobility. From this point on, they came to be considered as the hounds of the aristocracy. In 1014, the King of England enacted the Forest Laws which stated that only noblemen could own and hunt with greyhounds.
Before 1000 B.C., Greek noblemen purchased greyhounds from Egyptian merchants and this was proven by Homer, a Roman writer, in 800 B.C. In his book entitled The Odyssey, the main character returned home after being gone over twenty years and his greyhound named Argus was the only one to recognize his long lost owner. Art and coins from Greece depict short-haired hounds virtually identical to modern greyhounds; making it fairly certain that this breed has changed very little since 500 B.C. Around 325 B.C., a hound named Peritas reportedly accompanied the monarch Alexander the Great on his military campaigns. The Greek Gods were often portrayed with greyhounds—such as Hecate, the goddess of wealth. The god Pollux, the protector of the hunt was also depicted with greyhounds. The Romans obtained this breed either from the Greeks or the Celts. Roman authors such as Ovid and Arrian refer to them as Celt Hounds. Some of their deities were accompanied by greyhounds. Diana (the Roman version of Artemis) always hunted with her hounds as the picture above portrays. In 1916, Howel the King of Wales, associated the killing of a greyhound to be as grave as killing a human being, and both crimes were punishable by death. During the Middle Ages, greyhounds nearly became extinct due to the famine which plagued Europe. They were saved by clergymen who protected and bred them for the nobility. From this point on, they came to be considered as the hounds of the aristocracy. In 1014, the King of England enacted the Forest Laws which stated that only noblemen could own and hunt with greyhounds.