The Hellenicos Ichnilatis or Ellinikos Ihnilatis (AKA: Hellenic Scenthound; Greek Harehound; Greek Hound) is descended from the chasing (hare-  hunting) dogs of Xenophon’s age. The Ancient Greeks were breeding various genuine tracking and chasing breeds, prominent among them were those of Laconia, Argolida, Crete and generally of the Southern Greece. The ancient lagonikoi were called laconicoi (from their place of origin, i.e. Laconia).  The word lagonikos (= leporarius) derives from the word laconikos and not from the word lagos (=hare), as one might think. The hare-hunting dogs were called and are still called lagothires, lagoskila (=harehounds). This is a slight alternation of the word laconikos, which  eventually became lagonikos. In Ancient Greece the hounds were used widely for hunting game (elk, wild boar, deer) and frequently for small prey (hare). The Ancient Greeks used  their best hounds in war, trained (such as the molosser) for fighting in the battlefield. They were also used as messengers and (just like today the  greyhounds) as pets. The rich Athenian women were accustomed to the company, both in their houses and in their walks, of such dogs. Ancient Greek murals, pottery, coins etc. certify that the hounds have a long history in our country. We see them accompanying the hunter, the warrior, the comedy writer, the lady, the Bacchante and, especially, we see them as the inseparable company of Artemis, the goddess of hunting. Dogs were also associated with the worship of Ancient Greeks.  The name Lagonikos (in latin Lepus = hare) is mentioned in Greek Mythology meaning a constellation (Sirius). The speedy hound Kefalos was famous  for the large number of preys it killed.