The Reign of the Greyhound, by Cynthia A. Branigan

The first sign of Greyhounds in the English settlements of the United States was in 1729. On the seal of a man named Richard Waterman was a leaping Greyhound. The English brought Greyhounds to other parts of the world also. In Australia they made their first appearance on April 20, 1770. The world famous botanist Joseph Banks brought with him a male and female Greyhound.

Chapter 7, In The Show Ring

This chapter explains how organized dog shows began. When people had more leisure time than ever before, they began to come up with more ideas on how to enjoy this free time. It was during this time that two types of Greyhounds developed. The working (coursing) Greyhound was highly muscled and lean. The show Greyhound was less muscled and softer in appearance. These two strains came from the same basic bloodlines, but as time went on they became entirely different from each other in appearance due to breeding for particular characteristics. On page 118, the AKC breed standards are explained in depth.

Chapter 8, The Sport of Coursing

It was in the mid 1800s that Greyhounds became firmly established in the United States. During this time many immigrants from England and Ireland began moving to the west. As they traveled into the west, they noticed the wide-open plains. To them this seemed the perfect place for Greyhounds. It was a natural arena for coursing, and a logical means for controlling the jackrabbit population.

General George Custer was one famous American who favored Greyhounds. In fact, his last hours were spent coursing his Greyhounds. The history of Custer and his Greyhounds was preserved in letters he wrote his wife. Mrs. Custer published a three-volume set entitled Following the Guidon, in which the dogs figured prominently. On page 126 the history of coursing is described. From there Cynthia takes us to a description of modern coursing.

Chapter 9, Greyhound Racing

Since the beginning of time, human beings have been intrigued by competition. Once humans started owning animals, it followed naturally to wonder which one could run faster, hunt better, or fight the longest. Greyhounds love to run - it is what they were created for - both intellectually and anatomically. This chapter traces early Greyhound racing, explains about the artificial lure, and follows Greyhound racing into what it is today. In the pages of this chapter you will find pictures of some of the most famous Greyhounds of all times. From

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