| Also Known As: | Polish Sighthound Chart Polski (Polish) Polnischer Windhund (German) |
| Country: | Poland |
| Fcistd: | http://www.kolumbus.fi/chartpolski/standard.htm |
| Polish Greyhound | |
| Height: | 27-32 inches (68-81 centimeters) |
| Weight: | 60-70 pounds (27-31 kilograms) |
The Polish Greyhound (Polish: '''chart polski''', pronounced) is a Polish sighthound breed. Despite its name, it is not a direct relative of the Greyhound dog.[1] [2] [3]
The first records for the existence of greyhounds in Poland come from the times of Gallus Anonymus. Polish Greyhounds have also been referenced in hunting literature and artwork since the 13th century.[4] [5] Thought to have the same ancestors as the Hortaya Borzaya and Borzoi, the Polish Greyhound was originally bred to hunt great bustards and wolves.[6] The Polish Greyhound was considered the favorite dog of the Polish nobility.[7]
The impact of World War II in Poland led to reduced numbers of Polish Greyhounds.[8] In the 1970s, a group of fanciers, led by Stanisław Czerniakowski, sought to revive the breed and established a studbook in 1981. In 1989, the breed was entered in the register of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
Like many sighthounds, the Polish Greyhound has long legs and a slim, muscular build. Fur color varies among the breed, with the most common colors being black, tan, blue, and beige. They are double coated, with a rough undercoat that thickens in the winter to provide insulation. The Polish Greyhound's tail is long and sickle-shaped, curving upward at the end.[9] On average, males tend to be between 27–32 inches tall, while females range from 26–30 inches tall.[10] The average weight of a Polish Greyhound is between 60–70 lbs.
Protective and territorial, they tend to be affectionate with their owners but reserved around strangers.[11]