Printable sheet
Greyhound running at full speed with its body stretched out and all four paws off the ground. A detailed printable for dog lovers; get the free PDF.
Printable sheet
Free for personal and educational use
Download PDFPrintA slim, deep-chested greyhound in full sprint, legs extended, with a long tail and a wide collar.
Pick a solid gray, fawn or brindle and shade the muscles.
Make a chart comparing the greyhound's speed with other animals.
Despite all that speed, greyhounds at home can spend much of the day snoozing.
A greyhound running is one of the most impressive sights in the animal world. It is the fastest dog breed on Earth and can top forty miles per hour in a short sprint. Its whole body is designed for speed, with long legs, a narrow waist, a deep chest and a super flexible spine.
At top speed, a greyhound uses a gallop in which it spends two moments of every stride with all four feet off the ground. Its large, powerful heart and big lungs pull in loads of oxygen. Ancient Egyptians admired dogs very much like greyhounds and even painted them on tomb walls.
For many years greyhounds were raced on tracks, and when their racing days ended, thousands needed new homes. Dog racing has now ended in most of the United States, and many rescue groups work to place retired greyhounds and other sighthounds with loving families.
People who adopt a greyhound often discover a calm, gentle couch potato that loves soft beds and blankets. It still needs a chance to sprint now and then in a safe, fenced area, plus a coat in winter, since it has very little body fat. Adopting is a wonderful way to help these speedy dogs.
