The Greyhound is the oldest and most conservative of all dogs, and his type has altered singularly little during the seven thousand years in which he is known to have been cherished for his speed, and keptby men for running down the gazelle or coursing the hare.

The earliest references to him are far back in the primitive ages, long before
he was beautifully depicted by Assyrian artists, straining at the leash or racing after his prey across the desert sands. The Egyptians loved him and appreciated him centuries before the pyramids were built. In those days he wore a feathered tail, and his ears were heavy with a silken fringe of hair.

Various opinions have been advanced as to the best size and weight for a Greyhound. Like horses, Greyhounds run in all forms, and there is no doubt that a really good big one will always have an advantage over the little ones; but it is so difficult to find the former, and most of the chief winners of the Waterloo Cup have been comparatively
small.

HEAD…
Long and narrow, slightly wider in skull, allowing for plenty of brain room; lips tight, without any flew, and eyes bright and intelligent and dark in colour.

EARS…
Small and fine in texture, and semi-pricked.

TEETH…
Very strong and level, and not decayed or cankered.

NECK…Lengthy, without any throatiness, but muscular.

SHOULDERS…
Placed well back in the body, and fairly muscular, without being loaded.

FORE-LEGS…
Perfectly straight, set well into the shoulders, with strong pasterns and toes set well up
and close together.

BODY…
Chest very deep, with fairly well-sprung ribs; muscular back and loins, and well cut up in the flanks.

HIND-QUARTERS…
Wide and well let down, with hocks well bent and close to the ground, with very muscular haunches, showing great propelling power, and tail long and fine and tapering with a slight upward curve.

COAT…
Fairly fine in texture.

WEIGHT…The ideal weight of a dog is from 60 pounds to 65 pounds, of a bitch from 55 pounds to 60 pounds.

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