Libro Razas Españolas

Spanish Greyhound F.C.I. Standard Nº 285 / 03. 06. 1998 / GB Origin: Spain Date of Publication of the original valid standard: 26.05.1982 Utilization: A dog hunting the hare in fast pursuit in open fields, being directed by his sight. Formerly he has also been used and can hunt other game animals like rabbits, foxes, also boars; however the primordial utilization of the breed has been and is the hunt of the hare in open fields. Classification F.C.I.: Group 10 Sighthounds. Section 3 Short-haired Sighthounds. Without working trial. I. Brief Historical Summary The Spanish greyhound is known since the antiquity by the Romans, even though we are led to suppose that his arrival and implantation in the Peninsula dates back long before that period. Descendant from ancient Asian greyhounds, he has adapted himself to our different terrain of steppes and plains. He was exported in large quantities to other countries like Ireland, England during the XVIth, XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries. Our Spanish greyhound is one of the ancestors of the English greyhound which presents with the Spanish greyhound (galgo) the similarities true to the breed which have served as a base in its selection and subsequent acclimatization. Among the numerous citations by the classical authors, one should select that of the archpriest of Hita who says: “Hare which goes is soon caught in a chase by the greyhound...”, thus proving the principal and ancestral function of the breed. II. General Appearance Greyhound of good size, eumetric-subconvex, sub-long line and dolichocephalic. Compact bone structure, head long and narrow (dolichocephalic), ample thoracic capacity, belly very tucked up, very long tail. Hindquarters vertical and muscled. Hair fine and short or semi-long and hard. III. Important Proportions Sub-longuish line structure; length slightly more than the height. Proportions and functional harmony is to be sought after as much in static position as in movement. IV. Behaviour / Temperament Serious temperament and reserved in occasion, however when out hunting, proves to be an energetic and lively hunter. V. Head In proportion with the rest of the body, long, lean and fleshless. The ratio skull- muzzle is 5/6: length of the skull 5, length of the muzzle 6. Cranial-facial lines are divergent. Seen from above, the ensemble skull-muzzle must be very long and even (without bulges); with a long and narrow muzzle. CRANIAL REGION Skull: Of reduced width and sub-convex profile, longer than wide. The skull has a median furrow well marked on its first two thirds; the frontal sinus and the occipital crest are simply indicated. Las razas caninas españolas - Spanish canine breeds 312