The last two years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club saw dog ownership rise by nearly eight per cent over the pandemic.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect puppy.
Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One dog that often appears at the top of people’s canine wishlists is the Greyhound – they regularly crop up lists of Britain’s most popular dogs and have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
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5. The original Best in Show
The first winner of Best in Show at Crufts, in 1928, was a Greyhound called Primley Sceptre. Greyhounds have won the award two more times since, most recently in 1956. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. An ancient breed
The Greyhound is one of the oldest breeds of dog that are still kept as pets today. A skeleton of a Greyhound was excavated in Syria and was found to date back around 4,000 years. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. A need for speed
The Greyhound's famous spped comes from the biological fact that they have higher levels of red blood cells than other breeds. These cells carry oxygen to the muscles, so the Greyhound can move larger quantities of oxygen faster from the lungs to the leg muscles, giving them crucial extra pace. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Don't sit down next to me
You'll rarely see a Greyhound sitting down because it's an uncomfortable position for them due to the tighness of the muscles in their leg muscles. They generally prefer to either stand or lie down. They particularly like being horizontal, being notoriously lazy when not out for their daily dart around the park. Photo: Canva/Getty Images