<P> The Greyhound is a breed of dog; a sighthound which has been bred for coursing game and Greyhound racing . Since the rise in large - scale adoption of retired racing Greyhounds, the breed has seen a resurgence in popularity as a family pet . </P> <P> According to Merriam - Webster, a Greyhound is "any of a breed of tall slender graceful smooth - coated dogs characterized by swiftness and keen sight", as well as "any of several related dogs," such as the Italian Greyhound . </P> <P> It is a gentle and intelligent breed whose combination of long, powerful legs, deep chest, flexible spine and slim build allows it to reach average race speeds exceeding 64 kilometres per hour (40 mph). The Greyhound can reach a full speed of 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph) within 30 metres (98 ft), or six strides from the boxes, traveling at almost 20 metres per second (66 ft / s) for the first 250 metres (820 ft) of a race . </P> <P> Males are usually 71 to 76 centimetres (28 to 30 in) tall at the withers, and weigh around 27 to 40 kilograms (60 to 88 lb). Females tend to be smaller, with shoulder heights ranging from 68 to 71 centimetres (27 to 28 in) and weights from less than 27 to 34 kilograms (60 to 75 lb). Greyhounds have very short fur, which is easy to maintain . There are approximately thirty recognized color forms, of which variations of white, brindle, fawn, black, red and blue (gray) can appear uniquely or in combination . Greyhounds are dolichocephalic, with a skull which is relatively long in comparison to its breadth, and an elongated muzzle . </P>

How fast can a greyhound run in mph