Home » Plants & Animals » Greyhounds » Greyhound Trivia

Greyhound Trivia

© Judy A Tomlinson

I have collected a good amount of greyhound trivia during the months I have been writing these weekly articles. So,here they are -- all together in one article -- some are unusual, some helpful -- they are just what the title says--trivia!

I was really surprised to discover that there is a constellation containing two greyhounds! The constellation is Canes Venatici. These are the greyhounds of Bootes--Asterion and Chara. They help Bootes pursue the Bear (Ursa Major) around the Pole. These are the Hunting Dogs (no relation to Orion's dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor) held on a leash by Bootes as he hunts for the bears, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. This minor constellation was invented by Johannes Hevelius in 1687.

One of the most surprising things I first learned about greyhounds was the number of beautiful colors they came in. Each color has its own uniquely exquisite quality. The color most believe to be the rarest is dark brown. Interestingly enough, there are no "gray" greyhounds. When my 5 year old grandson first saw Whitney (she is white), he ask, "why aren't they called whitehounds?" Actually this was a very good observation for Tyler to make! A debatable point among many greyhound owners is which color is the closest to being gray? Some say the light brindle, and others argue the "blue" or "blue fawn." I have only seen two blue greyhounds, and they were absolutely gorgeous! Fact or fiction?--The feeling in the racing world is that blue greyhounds are not good runners. Many think they are prone to cancer and skin problems. As far as I know, neither of these statements have been proved. There are eighteen recognized colors of greyhounds: blue brindle, brindle, black and white, fawn brindle, fawn, white and black, red brindle, black brindle, red fawn, red and white, light brindle, blue, red, white and brindle ticked, dark brindle,black, dark red, and white and brindle.

There is also a ghost story about a greyhound. The story goes like this: William Courtney of Sarina, Australia had a female greyhound named Lady who died of distemper in 1953. For several years following her death, Mr. Courtney claimed that he would hear her footsteps coming softly into his bedroom at about 10 p.m. (the time that she was usually brought inside), followed by a thud as she dropped to the floor, and then a long deep sigh as she curled up to sleep beside his bed.

Now this next bit of information is indeed important for new greyhound owners to know. Greyhounds need to be bathed the same as any other dog; however, there is something