The greyhound is among the oldest breed of dogs.

The Greyhound is the only breed of dog mentioned in the bible - Proverbs 30, verses 29 to 31.

In ancient Egypt the ancestors of modern greyhounds were kept as companions and used for hunting. The death of a greyhound was equal to the death of a human. These dogs were so highly regarded that they were mummified and buried in family tombs. Greyhounds were also worshipped in ancient Greece and ancient Rome. These hounds were given great significance and the entire family would go into mourning when a pet hound died. Egyptian tombs were often decorated with pictures of their hounds and a tomb painting dating back to 2200 BC portrays dogs extremely similar to present day greyhounds.

In the first century AD, greyhound coursing is described in Roman history.

Greek historians dating back to the 3rd century refer to coursing. Short-haired hounds practically identical to present-day greyhounds are depicted on art and coins from ancient Greece. It is believed that the Greeks bought hounds from Egyptian merchants. The first breed of dog named in western literature was the greyhounds ancestor.

In the Middle Ages dogs in general were looked down upon but greyhounds were greatly respected. The greyhound almost became extinct during times of famine but they were protected and bred by clergymen for the aristocracy and the killing of a greyhound was punishable by death.

In England, The Forest Laws of 1014 stated that only noblemen could own and hunt with greyhounds.

The greyhound was often used as an emblem always associated with nobility.

English literature dating back to the 13th century gives a breed standard for the greyhound.

During the 16th century coursing became fashionable and competitive rules were drawn up for judging.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) mentioned greyhounds in a number of his plays.

King James I (1566-1625) was a passionate fan of greyhound coursing so much so that he built a hunting lodge in Newmarket. In 1619 he ordered the release of 100 hares and 100 partridges every year at Newmarket to preserve the quality of hunting.

At the end of the 16th century there had been considerable changes and the necessity to exterminate unwanted animals (such as hares, foxes and badgers) led to the breeding of greyhounds that had been cast off by the aristocracy.

During the 18th century attempts were made to cross breed greyhounds with several other breed to improve stamina. This was unsuccessful and no evidence exists that any of those crosses are ancestors of the present days greyhound.

The first official coursing club was founded in England in 1776

Breeders started to keep pedigrees of their dogs during the 18th century. One of the most well known greyhounds of this time is Snowball, during his coursing career he won four cups and over thirty matches.

Famous greyhound owners include: Alexander the Great, Buffalo Bill Cody, General George Custer, King Tut, King Henry V111, Queen Victoria and Sir Walter Scott.

Greyhound racing began with invention of the mechanical hare in 1912.

The word greyhound is believed to stem from the anglo-saxon words meaning 'first grade of hounds'.