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Greyhounds make great pets!

They may be super speedy on the track but did you know that they are also affectionately known as 40mph couch potatoes? They love to laze about (a comfy couch is a favourite spot!) and need very little exercise.

These affectionate, loving dogs make fabulous pets for a huge variety of homes. From gentle family friends to shy sweethearts to playful partners in crime, at the IRGT we believe there's a greyhound for everyone!

Read on for some fun facts about this amazing breed!

More colours than a rainbow

There are about 30 recognised colour forms to be found in greyhounds. These can appear as one colour (such as all fawn or all black in colour) or in combination with white. 

Faster than an Olympian 

A greyhound can reach their top speed of around 45mph within just six strides - that's faster than Usain Bolt's top speed of 27mph!

Best in Show 

1928 saw the first ever Crufts Dog Show take place in London, and guess which breed won Best in Show?
A greyhound of course; Primley Sceptre, owned by H. Whitely.

Historic Hounds 

The greyhound is the only breed dog mentioned by name in the King James edition of The Bible. 

The ancestors of the modern greyhound were also important figures in Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman times. Many Egyptians considered the birth of a such a hound second in importance only to the birth of a son. When their hound died, the entire family would go into mourning.

Millions of Euro spent on regulating the industry 

Greyhounds are the most regulated of all canine breeds in Ireland. They're the only breed with their own legislation - the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011.

Greyhound Racing Ireland spends millions of Euro each year on the regulation of racing and welfare of racing greyhounds.

Find out more about the regulation of Irish greyhound racing here. 

A part of Irish Life

The Greyhound is embedded so deeply into Irish life and culture that the breed was even featured on the old Irish currency. 

The old Irish Sixpence featured a Greyhound standing tall and proud. There was also a commemorative stamp issued by An Post in 1977 to mark 50 years of racing.