8 Skinny Dog Breeds and Their Differences

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Skinny dog breeds have many advantages besides the fact these dogs are fast and agile making them good hunting hounds. These breeds love being busy even when they’re not hunting, and they can be the best companions. Most of these dogs have naturally slim and streamlined figures, are very loyal, and bond well with their owners.

This article showcases 8 of those breeds in no particular order or preference.

1. Greyhound

The Greyhound about 30 inches tall and has only 13% body fat. Greyhounds have a reputation for high energy levels, but in reality, their favorite pastime is sleeping. Bred as sprinters, not distance runners, they are satisfied with just a daily walk, or may even make good jogging or running partners.

This familiar dog has an aerodynamic build that epitomizes speed, a narrow head, long legs, and a muscular rear end. Greyhounds do not have an undercoat like most dogs, so they prefer a warm house and a nice bed to sleep on. They are also known for the fact they do not bark, even at strangers.

2. Pharaoh Hound

The Pharaoh Hound is a rabbit-hunting dog breed from the island of Malta. In spite of the resemblance to the dogs in ancient Egyptian art and name, they are not related to the dogs found preserved in Egyptian tombs.

Pharaohs are sleek, aerodynamic coursing hounds bred for high-speed pursuits on rocky terrain. Among their several distinguishing traits are a tight tan coat with matching leather on the nose, ears, and eye rims, ravishing amber eyes, and a white-tipped tail. These dogs also have the ability to smile and a unique way of blushing when happy or excited

3. Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound is a gentle, loving and affectionate breed when it comes to family members, but can be shy with strangers. Although mild-natured, he has a surprisingly deep, big-dog bark, which makes a good watchdog even if he’s too small to back up his barks and provide any actual protection.

This little hound is most famous for its svelte look and delicate walk. These petite dogs make good companions, but their long bones are prone to injuries. In fact, they are so fragile that they should be kept leashed all the time so that they don’t run after something and get injured in the process.

4. Borzois

Also known as Russian Wolfhounds, and they’re good at hunting but bad at being guard dogs. With a tall, lean body, long, narrow head, and silky coat, the Borzoi is the picture of refinement and elegance. Borzois carry themselves proudly, and it’s easy to envision them lounging in the palaces of Russian Tsars or swiftly running down a wolf in the Russian countryside. But before you bring a Borzoi to your palace, you need to decide if a Borzoi is right for you.

If you want to spend the day in bed or on the sofa, your Borzoi will be happy to spend it there with you. Despite their relaxed attitude and regal appearance, the Borzoi is not simply a beautiful showpiece for your home. This giant breed, whose height ranges from 28 to 32 inches, has a mind of his own and a desire for human companionship.

5. Sloughi

The Sloughi is an ancient and beautiful breed. The Sloughi is lean, swift, noble, and reserved and has been around since ancient times. They were favored hunting companions of Egyptian nobles, Berber kings, and nomadic chieftains who kept packs of tough but graceful hounds that could course game across vast expanses of desert. However, the breed has only been recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) since 2016.

The Sloughi’s speed and stamina allow them to track prey in wide-open spaces but it is not a fragile dog, but is also a dog with class and grace. The attitude is noble and somewhat aloof, and the expression of the dark eyes is gentle and melancholy. It is a robust, but elegant and racy, pursuit dog with no exaggeration of the length of body or limbs, muscle development, angulation, nor curve of loin.

6. Whippet

The Whippet’s story begins in Victorian England when North-country coal miners enjoyed the sports of dog racing and rabbit hunting on their days off. They couldn’t afford to feed and kennel large athletes like Greyhounds, nor did they have the space to properly exercise them. The miners’ practical solution was to breed a smaller version of the Greyhound. Their handiwork, the Whippet, is the fastest breed of its size, reaching speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.

This medium-sized British sighthound is a skinny slacker. They can run really fast when they want to but will spend most of the day reclining on the couch. Whippets are famous for their ability to hold down the couch while their home is being robbed. They are not the best watchdogs.

7. Kanni

The Kanni hails from South India where he is also known as the Maiden’s Beastmaster. This breed is classified as a sighthound, but it is largely used for chasing game, and it is a royal indigenous breed seen exclusively in black-and-tan or black-and-sable combinations.

The Kanni breed resembles the Greyhound’s but is smaller in size, weighing between 35 and 48 pounds. They are timid dogs, but they are faithful to and protective of their families. They’ve got short coats, and they’re shy dogs. When it comes to their family, however, they are extremely loyal and can be very protective. This breed is generally easy to train, but they are prone to independence.

8. Ibizan Hound

The Ibizan Hound probably shares similar roots as the Pharaoh Hound, bearing an uncanny resemblance to the dogs depicted in Egyptian tombs and to the jackal god Anubis. Ancient Phoenician sea traders may have taken the dogs to the Balearic island of Ibiza, where they remained in somewhat of seclusion. Ibiza saw many rulers through the ages, coming under the auspices of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Arabs, and, most recently, Spanish. The Spanish farmers on the island used them for hunting.

These thin dogs are great when it comes to physical exercise, so they’re the ideal jogging partner. The Ibiza is even-tempered, obedient, and affectionate, making it a perfect addition to an involved family. If this dog was to take off in a chase, it would be hard to get them to return home. A lithe build enables this dog to perform a double-suspension gallop with great speed, agility, and endurance. The Ibizan is also a great jumper, and is able to spring to great heights from a standstill.

Final Thoughts

There are so many dogs that have a skinny profile. Learning about different skinny dog breeds will teach you that there are certain similarities, as well as differences within each breed. Some breeds mentioned you probably have heard of, while others may not be as common. There are many other skinny dog breeds that we didn’t mention in this article.