In the Middle Ages, Greyhounds were dogs of nobility, and as such, figured prominently in heraldry because the breed denoted majesty, courage, vigilance, swiftness and loyalty. In France alone, over 400 noble families feature Greyhounds on their arms. Never one to pass up a good idea (or a future wife), Britain’s Henry VIII adopted the breed for his personal standard in 1513 (his father had also used the Greyhound) and the white Greyhound remained associated with the House of York. Greyhounds were particularly favored as “Royal Supporters” (the creatures that appear on each side of the Royal Arms of England).