The first knowledge of the Greyhound comes from the Tomb of Amten, in the Valley of the Nile, regarded by Egyptologists as belonging to the fourth dynasty, which in modern chronology would be between 2900 and 2751 B.C. The carvings in this old tomb show dogs of unmistakable Greyhound type in three separate scenes.

The origin of the name "Greyhound" is somewhat open to dispute, and the number of suppositions have been advanced. One is that it is derived from Graius, meaning Grecian, because the dog was in high esteem among the ancient Greeks.

Photographer: PEPPER NIX

He is found in England at a very early date. In fact, a manuscript from the ninth century A.D. is illustrated with a picture of Elfric, Duke of Mercia; and beside this old Saxon chieftain stands his huntsman with a brace of Greyhounds.

Photographer: PEPPER NIX

No. 31 of the Canute Laws written in Danish states:
"No meane person may keepe any greihounds, but freemen may keepe greihounds, so that their knees may be cut before the verderons of the forest, and without cutting of their knees also, if he does not abide 10 miles from the bounds of the forest. But if they doe come any nearer to the forest, they shall pay 12 pence for every mile; but if the Greihound be found within the forest, the master or owner of the dog shall forfeit the dog and ten shillings to the king."

Photographer: Shot On Site

The Greyhound came to America long before 1776. Laurel Drew, a historian of the breed, has traced Greyhounds that were brought to this country by Spanish explorers in the early 1500s "to guard, hunt, intimidate and punish their enemies--in this case, the Indians."

One of the most celebrated of many Greyhound owners in history was General George A. Custer. Custer was especially fond of coursing breeds--Greyhounds and "staghounds"--and traveled with a hound pack that numbered about forty.