18/07/2025
💙🐾Fun Fact Friday: The Ancient History of the Greyhound 🐾💙
Did you know the greyhound is one of the oldest known dog breeds in the world?
These elegant dogs have a history that stretches back thousands of years long before they became the speedy couch potatoes we know and love today.
Greyhounds can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt, around 2900 BC. Archaeologists have found depictions of greyhound-type dogs in Egyptian tomb paintings and carvings — slim-bodied, deep-chested dogs with long legs and narrow heads that look strikingly similar to the greyhounds we see today.
Pharaohs admired these dogs so much that they were often mummified and buried alongside their owners, and many ancient Egyptian deities were depicted with greyhound-like features. Greyhounds were reserved for royalty and were seen as symbols of power, speed, and grace.
Greyhounds didn’t stay in Egypt. As trade routes expanded, they spread across the Middle East and Europe, where they continued to be prized for their hunting abilities and noble presence.
• In ancient Greece and Rome, greyhounds were featured in literature and art, often shown alongside gods and heroes.
• The Roman poet Ovid mentioned them in his writing, and the philosopher Aristotle described them in detail for their speed and intelligence.
• By the Middle Ages, greyhounds were associated with nobility throughout Europe. So much so, that only aristocrats were allowed to own and hunt with them.
They were especially valued for coursing which is a hunting method where dogs use their sight (not scent) to chase game like hares or deer across open land. This is where the term “sighthound” comes from.
Greyhounds in Law & Religion:
• In 1014, the Forest Laws in England prohibited “commoners” from owning greyhounds to preserve hunting rights for the elite.
• They were even mentioned in the Bible (Proverbs 30:29–31), making them one of the only dog breeds named in scripture.
• During the Renaissance, greyhounds were so respected that they were included in family coats of arms, paintings, and sculptures.
Over time, greyhounds became known not just for hunting, but for racing and companionship. Their natural speed led to the development of greyhound racing in the 20th century and today, thousands of retired greyhounds are looking for loving homes.
Despite their long history with kings and warriors, greyhounds are now happiest snuggled on a warm bed (ideally yours!) and they still carry that graceful, regal charm.
From royal courts to loving homes, greyhounds have always been loyal companions and we can see why💙
