untold story: greyhound poetry

I found this poem whilst looking on the internet. This poem is from the Book of St. Alban's, written in 1486. It is called "Properties of a Good Greyhound" I think it's really interesting that people were writing about greyhounds even as early as the 1400s. they are a beautiful and ancient species of dog and they are still as beautiful today.

Here is the poem:

"Properties of a Good Greyhound" 

A greyhound should be headed like a Snake,
And necked like a Drake,
Footed like a Cat,
Tailed like a Rat,
Backed like a Beam,
Sided like a Bream.

The first year he must learn to feed,
The second year to field him lead,
The third year he is fellow-like,
The fourth year there is none sike, * (means no sorrow)
The fifth year he is good enough,
The sixth year he shall hold the plough,
The seventh year he will avail
Great bitches for to assail,
The eighth year lick ladle,
The ninth year cart saddle,
And when he is comen to that year
Have him to the tanner,
For the best hound that ever bitch had
At nine year he is full bad.