Spanish Greyhound

The galgo is a very old greyhound. The etymology of its name proves its Celtic origins. The word 'galgo' comes from the name (la)'canis gallicus' given by the Romans to the vertragus (or ouertragoï), companion of the Celts who had colonized the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. 'Canis gallicus' will become 'gallicus' then 'galgo'. According to Xavier Przezdjiecki, 'galgo and vertragus are the continuation of the Asian greyhound introduced to the West by the Celts'. The podenco, descendant of the Egyptian tesem, has undoubtedly also participated in the evolution of the Spanish galgo. During the Spanish Middle Ages and unlike France or England, the galgo belonged to both peasants and the bourgeoisie and nobility. However, it was the favorite of the great lords of Spain.

The galgo puppy is like all puppies overflowing with energy. However, with maturity, it becomes a reserved dog, with attention turned towards its masters, serious, playful without imposing itself, affectionate. It knows how to show protective and dissuasive without becoming aggressive. It attaches itself to its master to better adapt to its activity. It travels very well in a car. The galgo was bred for hunting and will leave at the slightest glimpse of game. When the bond with the master has been established, it returns without problem after a frenzied race. It needs daily walks and gallops to return to the calm of home. It reveals a dual character: composed at home and explosive during exercise.

The galgo has beautiful musculature and an elegant silhouette, underlined by a fine and elongated head, a deep chest, a well-leveled abdomen and a long whip falling in a sickle at rest. Its typical gait is, by nature, the gallop. The trot should be elongated, trailing, elastic and powerful. There are two varieties of galgos:

To date, no genetic disease has been documented in the galgo. It is robust and rustic. The short-haired galgo should be brushed once a week, subjects of the wire-haired variety should be brushed more often. Baths should not be too frequent. The galgo, capable of pursuing game over long distances, has a significant need for exercise. It must be able to go out regularly and run freely, long enough in places where there is no game. The galgo, like all greyhounds, has developed special abilities and has a physiology different from other dog breeds. Its reduced fat mass affects the absorption, storage and elimination of anesthetic products. Certain products such as pentotal or thiobarbiturates should not be administered. It is recommended to follow anesthetic protocols specific to greyhounds.