8 Types of Greyhound Dog Breeds (With Info & Pictures)
With their lean body, long legs, and large doe eyes, the Greyhound is a sleek and slim dog that can reach speeds of over 45 miles per hour. Their agility and athleticism make the Greyhound the perfect canine companion for hiking, racing, and competitions.
A star sprinter of dogdom, this ancient breed can be traced back to 4,000 years ago. Today, Greyhounds make fabulous pets for both families and active individuals. Often docile and shy, a Greyhound needs to be socialized with other people and pets in order to feel confident and calm.
If you are thinking about bringing a Greyhound dog breed into your home, here are eight types of Greyhound breeds to choose from.
The 8 Types of Greyhound Dog Breeds
1. Spanish Greyhound
Also known as the Spanish Sighthound, the Spanish Greyhound is one of the oldest known dog breeds. It is speculated that they are descendants of Egyptian dogs, and there is recorded evidence of Greyhounds in Spain from as far back as the 2nd century AD.
Originally developed to hunt rabbits and other small game, the Spanish Greyhound is still a trusted hunting partner to this day. Available in a plethora of colors, including red, black, cinnamon, and white, this breed is also used in high-speed racing competitions. Growing to weigh over 60 pounds, the Spanish Greyhound is a gentle, easy-going dog that makes a great family pet.
2. Russian Greyhound
Commonly referred to as the Borzoi (meaning “fast in Russian) or Russian Wolfhound, the Russian Greyhound is a large, wavy-haired breed that can grow to be as tall as 33 inches and weigh up to 100 pounds.
An independent and athletic breed, the Russian Greyhound was originally developed to pursue small game. This innate need to chase smaller animals makes them unsuitable pets for households that already own cats or smaller dogs.
Russian Greyhounds can live up to 12 years of age. As they age, this breed can develop certain health issues, including hip and elbow dysplasia.
3. Arabic Greyhound
The Arabic Greyhound, or Sloughi, is a breed of North African dog that is commonly found in Morocco. With a slender, medium-sized build, short, smooth hair, and an elongated snout, the Arabic Greyhound is an incredibly elegant and graceful breed.
Due to their history of protecting Saharan nomads, this dog can be reserved around strangers and needs to be socialized from day one. They can develop a deep bond with their owners and show incredible love and loyalty to their human pack.
4. Afghan Hound
The Afghan Greyhound is instantly recognizable due to its long, silken coat and sharp, slim features. They come in numerous colors, including fawn, brindle, red, gold, cream, gray, blue, and tricolor.
Originally bred to thrive in the freezing mountains of Afghanistan, the Afghan Greyhound is now bred for beauty pageants and dog shows. Growing to stand about 27 inches and weighing around 60 pounds, this breed has a dignified and aloof personality. However, it can be a devoted pet to the right person.
5. Persian Greyhound
One of the world’s oldest dog breeds, the Persian Greyhound, or Saluki, was used as a hunting hound by royalty for thousands of years. A slender, leggy breed, the Saluki is a natural-born athlete and thrives on daily doses of exercise. This breed has two different types of coats, including feathered and smooth. They can be black, white, cream, red, fawn, or tricolored.
The Saluki is among the fastest dogs on earth, with the Guinness Book of World Records documenting one reaching top speeds of 42.8 miles per hour in 1996.
This breed does best with an experienced pet parent. They are often very independent and aloof and can be tough to train.
6. Whippet
The sweet-faced and slender Whippet, also known as the English Greyhound, is a gentle, docile, and dignified little dog. Reaching up to 22 inches in height, the Whippet is jokingly described as “the poor man’s racehorse” due to their usage in amateur racing competitions.
This fleet-footed breed has been known to have the fastest acceleration time in the canine kingdom. They do best in homes with large, fenced-in yards where they can run and explore. However, Whippets also enjoy curling up on the couch for a nap.
Did you know that there are non-profit organizations such as Friends of Greyhounds that help retired racing greyhounds find a loving home?
7. Italian Greyhound
For folks seeking a compact companion, the Italian Greyhound could make the perfect pet. Growing to weigh no more than 15 pounds, the Italian Greyhound is an alert, affectionate breed that thrives on attention. Popular among royalty and nobility, this petite pup was bred for centuries to be a companion and loves laying on your lap.
8. Scottish Greyhound
Also called the Deerhound, the Scottish Greyhound is a large hound breed that was originally bred to hunt and course large red deer. They are a heavy-boned breed with a wiry, wavy coat. Growing to weigh as much as 110 pounds and standing 32 inches at the shoulder, the Scottish Greyhound is a gentle giant.
Eager to please and eager to chase, this breed does best in a large house with an active family.
Is a Greyhound Right for Me?
Are you considering adding a Greyhound to your family? Before you do, it’s important to know if this is the right breed for you.
Extremely slim, Greyhounds don’t have a lot of fat on their bodies. This can make them super sensitive to extreme cold or heat, making them an unfit dog to be kept outside for long periods of time. Laidback and loving, Greyhounds make excellent pets for active families. Since they can be prone to shyness, you need to socialize your Greyhound with new people from the start.
While great with children and other pets, Greyhounds have a natural instinct to chase. If you own smaller pets or young children, always keep a close eye on them and your Greyhound during playtime.
Greyhounds are available in many different sizes, ranging from under 15 pounds all the way up to over 100 pounds. This makes them an excellent choice for people looking for both smaller or larger pooches.
Final Thoughts
If you’re on the lookout for an amazing dog breed, consider getting a Greyhound. Graceful, versatile, and affectionate, Greyhounds make excellent pets for almost every household. If you're looking for a gentle giant, a Greyhound could be perfect for you.
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Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
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Ollie is a zoologist turned freelance animal writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex and their mini zoo consisting of their eldest, a rescue dog named Pepper, many aquatic creatures, and their cat Steve. Ollie has a Master's degree in wildlife biology but became a freelance animal writer in 2020 and hasn't looked back. He loves sharing what he has learned with pet parents around the planet.
