11 Dogs That Are Similar to Greyhounds
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Greyhound type breeds are characterized by their agility and speed. Most of these types of dogs can reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour and their svelte build, long legs, and extended field of vision make them the perfect dogs for racing and competitions. There are many different varieties of dogs similar to greyhounds but they all share certain characteristics.
There are a number of greyhound varieties that can be distinguished by their coats and the places of origin. In this article we list the most well-known types.
1. Saluki
The Saluki is one of the oldest greyhound varieties that exists. It has a slim body, and there are both short and long haired dogs within this type. They can reach up to 28 inches in height and weigh 66 pounds. They’re bred for hunting wild animals.
The Saluki has retained qualities of hunting hounds and may seem reserved to new friends. However, this independent and aloof breed may be difficult to train, and they generally cannot be trusted to return to their owner when let off the leash. When training this dog it is recommended to be always gentle and patient.
2. Spanish Galgo
The Spanish Greyhound was initially bred only for the Spanish nobles. Now, they’ve been assigned another significant role as hunting dogs of Spain. It has short, fine, straight hair, though there are some harder and longer hair. It can be black, yellow, cinnamon, red, or white. Males can weigh up to 65 pounds, while females can weigh up to 55 pounds. It’s a fast breed that reaches speeds up to 45 kilometers an hour. In the past, the Spanish Greyhound hunted rabbits in Spain.
Galgos have a very similar nature to Greyhounds. They are calm, quiet, gentle and laid back; happy to sleep their day away on their backs on a sofa. More than 90% of Galgos can be considered cat-friendly and are therefore an ideal choice for the hound lover who also owns cats.
3. Ibizan Hound
Ibizan Hounds can be traced back to approximately the year 3400 B.C. when Phoenician traders first brought Egyptian hounds to the island of Ibiza. These dogs are known for their wide, perky ears. They were initially bred for hunting game, but today they are domesticated and serve as family dogs.
They are sensitive hounds, and very good around children and other dogs alike. They generally make good house dogs, but are active and athletic, therefore need a lot of daily exercise. They do not make good kennel dogs. Ibizan hounds are sweet, but they are very stubborn and independent.
4. Whippet
This English Greyhound is famous for its extreme elegance. It’s of medium build, reaching up to 51 centimeters tall. Many years ago it specialized in rabbit hunting, but nowadays they compete in races.
A friendly alternative to a greyhound when it comes to a companion animal, the smaller whippet is very sociable and gets along well with most people and other pets. They are also very quiet animals, barking only occasionally, so you can be assured that this dog won’t annoy the neighbors.
5. Scottish Deerhound
Commonly referred to simply as Deerhounds, these dogs are one of the larger sighthounds with the males weighing up to 110 pounds. They’re also one of the tallest dog breeds you will find, with fully-grown Deerhounds standing at 28 inches at the shoulder, and some even taller.
They are often called the Royal Dog of Scotland. However, they aren’t the most popular of all dog breeds due to their high energy and need for wide-open spaces.
6. Kanni
This breed is classified as a sighthound, though it is largely used for coursing game, and it is a royal indigenous breed seen exclusively in black-and-tan or black-and-sable combinations. The Kanni is a medium-sized breed, typically growing between 35 and 48 pounds. Males are a little larger than females, standing about 25 inches tall with females standing about 22 inches tall.
As a sighthound, the Kanni is an intelligent and trainable breed. You must consider, however, that these dogs were bred to work independently so you can expect your dog to be a little willful at times.
7. Italian Greyhound
Also known as miniature greyhounds, Italian greyhounds have the alert, energetic personality of a greyhound in a more manageable package. Prized for their small size, Italian greyhounds top out at a hair over 1 foot tall and weigh less than a typical bowling ball.
They’re great for chilling on the couch and enjoying watching the game with friends, and they love a bit of a run too. These small dogs have a loving, playful nature and at only 15 inches tall, they are the perfect pet no matter the size of your home.
8. Russian Greyhound
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. Commonly referred to as the Borzoi 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.
They can be stubborn, and training is best accomplished with patience, consistency, and good humor. Although affectionate they do enjoy a lot of roughhousing and will chase smaller animals like cats and squirrels for fun.
9. Arabic Greyhound
The Arabic Greyhound, or Sloughi, is a breed of North African dog and is most 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. Because of 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 her owner and shows incredible love. This breed also expects reserve from people they meet, and may not appreciate those strangers.
10. Afghan Hound
The Afghan Greyhound is an instantly recognizable breed due to their long, silken coat and sharp, slim features. They come in numerous colors, including fawn, brindle, red, gold, cream, gray, blue, and tricolor. These dogs were originally bred to thrive in the freezing mountains of Afghanistan and grow to stand about 27 inches and weigh around 60 pounds,
The Afghan Greyhound is bred nowadays for beauty pageants and dog shows. This breed has a dignified and aloof personality but is affectionate and adaptable. These dogs do well in just about any size of home with any size of family.
11. Pharaoh Hound
The Pharaoh Hound can trace its lineage all the way back to ancient Egypt where it’s been found depicted in hieroglyphics as companions to the Pharaohs and gods themselves. The jackal god Anubis bears such a close resemblance that some argue the Pharaoh Hound was the actual depiction instead of the jackal.
The Pharaoh Hound is calm indoors, but this breed loves to run. This is a sensitive breed that is loving, gentle, and good with children and other dogs. It may chase strange animals given the breed’s hunting history and tends to be reserved with strangers; some are even timid.
Final Thoughts
If you’re on the lookout for an amazing dog breed, consider any of these greyhound-type dogs. They are known to be graceful, affectionate and make excellent pets for just about every home.
