When we think of greyhound-type dogs the privileged physical structure that allows them to be especially agile and fast comes to mind. However, greyhounds are also very special dogs due to their loyal character, calm and extremely faithful to their guardians. Therefore, it is not surprising that they are especially popular dogs. And fortunately, many people join the beautiful initiative of adopting abandoned or rescued greyhounds from illegal farms, giving them the opportunity to enjoy the love of a family.
Currently, various types of greyhounds are recognized that, although they resemble each other in fundamental aspects of their morphology, have their own characteristics and need specific care to preserve their optimal he alth and balanced behavior. In this article on our site, we invite you to discover our top 11 with all greyhound breeds Don't miss it!
The 11 most popular types of greyhounds in the world
The Spanish Greyhound Federation (FEG) recognizes 15 breeds of greyhound dogs, among which we can highlight 11 as the most recognized and popular worldwide. Next, we present some characteristics of these beautiful dogs in our top 11 with the most popular types of greyhounds in the world
1. Afghan Hound
This breed of greyhound originates from Afghanistan is characterized by its long and abundant fur, which is fine and silky to the touch. The Afghan Greyhound is also called the Afghan Hound, or simply "the Afghan Hound". In addition to their attractive appearance, these furry ones stand out for their intelligence and, of course, for the speed they reach when running.
The first specimen of these dogs dates back to around 10,000 BC, but they began to be recorded in the 19th century. Historically they have been used for hare hunting, but they also used to accompany the nomadic tribes of Afghanistan as herding dogs.
If you have adopted an Afghan hound, you should know that your new best friend requires attention with the maintenance of his coat. Discover the main hair care of the Afghan greyhound.
two. Arabian Greyhound (Sloughi)
The sloughi, also called Berber hound or Arabian greyhound, are still unfamiliar to Western culture, but Arab countries are highly valued. They are characterized by the tall and elegant body, the wedge-shaped head, and the triangular ears that are relatively small in relation to the size of the dog. Its coat is smooth, fine and short.
As this is a very old dog, its origins are uncertain. However, it is estimated that they could have been born in the territory where Ethiopia is today. Their expansion throughout the Maghreb would have been the work of the Bedouin nomads,who used them as hunting dogs.
For many years, Arabian greyhounds have been used in a cruel hunting method which consisted of carrying the dog on the rump of the horse and then force them to chase prey such as gazelles or antelopes. Fortunately, today this activity is already prohibited to preserve the physical and mental well-being of animals.
3. Azawakh greyhound
The azawakh is one of the types of greyhounds originating from the African continent. His birth is attributed to the Mali region, located south of the Sahara desert. They are characterized by their privileged bearing, displaying a body that is taller than it is long, as well as remarkable elegance.
Initially, these dogs were bred and adopted as a symbol by the cute tribe Tuareg As the Tuareg were not allowed to sell their " talisman dog", Azawakh greyhounds have taken many years to be recognized in other countries. In Europe, they were only introduced in the 1970s. Throughout their history, Azawakhs have served as hunters, guards, and companion dogs.
4. Greyhound or deerhound
The deerhound, originally from Scotland, is a giant dog, with a well-proportioned body and elegant lines. One of its main characteristics is that it is a wire-haired greyhound, as its coat is rough, long and "shaggy" in appearance. But on its legs and feet, this hair is much shorter than on the rest of its body.
Since it is also an ancient dog breed, there are several theories about its origins. Some hypotheses affirm that their ancestors would be the dogs that used to accompany the Phoenicians on their expeditions. However, it is also assumed that Scottish greyhounds could descend from dogs that have been introduced to the British Isles by the Celts, around the year 280 BC. C.
5. Spanish Greyhound
The Spanish greyhound is known simply as " galgo", and it is a very popular dog in Spain, although it is still little known outside the Iberian territory. Unfortunately it is one of the most mistreated breeds in its country of origin. Due to its privileged morphology, this dog shows incredible physical resistance, agility and natural abilities. Throughout history they have hunted and taken part in races.
In addition to being subjected to very hard efforts, many greyhounds end up abandoned when the hunting season is over or their performance is "less" than desired in the races. Many people have become aware of this cruel situation and have started promoting special adoption campaigns for abandoned greyhounds and victims of abuse. Thanks to this, the Spanish greyhound has begun to cross borders and gain popularity around the world as a beautiful and loyal companion dog.
If you are thinking about or have already adopted a puppy of this breed, on our site we will teach you everything you need to know about caring for a Spanish greyhound. Give your best friend the best life!
6. Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is also known as the "Little Italian Greyhound" or "Mini Greyhound" and is one of the most prized types of small Greyhounds. It is also among the smallest dogs in the world. Its body has an average height at the withers 33 to 38 centimeters, with an average weight of 2.5 to 4.5 kilos, and well-developed muscles. Due to their small size, Italian greyhounds have not been used for hunting. But it is estimated that the breed has a long history as a companion animal, since it was already present with the aristocracy of Ancient Rome.
Unfortunately, Italian greyhounds have been subjected to a process of "dwarfing" through selective breeding, between the 19th and 20th centuries, in order to differentiate them aesthetically from the Whippet The crosses that have not been carried out by professionals to obtain increasingly smaller and thinner specimens, have generated negative consequences for the he alth of the Italian Greyhound, such as dwarfism and physical deformities. Today many breeders are dedicated to reversing this process.
7- Greyhound
The English greyhound or greyhound is perhaps one of the most popular greyhound breeds in the world, along with the Afghan hound. Its origins are still somewhat uncertain, but it is estimated that the Arabian greyhound could be its main ancestor. Its introduction to the British Isles would have occurred around 900 AD, after the arrival of some traders.
It is a tall, thin dog with privileged muscles, which allows it to be in first place among the fastest dogs in the world. Because of their physical build and predisposition, English greyhounds have been and continue to be exploited in cruel "recreational" races. Currently, there are also many initiatives to encourage the adoption of greyhounds abandoned or rescued from illegal breeders.
8. Persian Greyhound (Saluki)
The Saluki is also known as Persian Greyhound or Royal Dog of EgyptThis is a very old breed of dog with a still very uncertain history. They are estimated to originate from Middle East Its body is elegant and symmetrical, with a height at the withers that can vary between 58 and 71 centimeters. Two varieties of Persian Greyhound are known: the one with longhair and the one with shorthair , the former being somewhat more popular than the latter.
Thanks to their remarkable performance as a hunting dog, the saluki have gained enormous fame in the Arab world, where tradition says that these dogs cannot be sold, only donated as a token of gratitude and honor. In Western countries, Saluki have been adopted as companion dogs because of their calm, affectionate and very loyal character
9. Russian greyhound (borsoi)
While not as popular as the other types of greyhound on our list, the borsoi are considered by many to be the most beautiful and elegant. Its body is tall and slim, with a height at the withers between 69 and 81 centimeters, and a body weight of 30 to 60 kg. One of its most notable features is its long, wavy coat, which doesn't reach the ground like that of the Afghan Hound.
Historically, the borsoi have accompanied the Tsars and Russian nobles, being used to hunt wild hares and wolves. It is estimated that its fur is precisely a natural adaptation for survival in the harsh winters of Russia.
10. Whippet
El galgo whippet is one of the types of small greyhounds, although it does not become one of the breeds of dwarf greyhounds, since the Italian greyhound is even smaller. It has a height at the withers of between 43 and 56 centimeters and a body weight of 12 to 13 kg. Its appearance reminds us a lot of a " small greyhound" and, in fact, its origins are closely linked to the English greyhound.
According to local legends, the whippet would have been born as a "greyhound of the poor". As it was very expensive to acquire and maintain an English greyhound, its ownership was practically exclusive to the nobility and the English monarchy. Then, people with less purchasing power would have made some crosses of the greyhound (possibly with the Italian greyhound and the fox terrier) to obtain an equally fast dog, but simpler and cheaper to maintain.
About its morphology, we can mention the thin and elongated head, the short, thick and soft fur, the small ears located in the rear portion of its head, and the long tail curved at the tip. And regarding its character, we must emphasize that the whippet is a gentle, calm and affectionate dog
eleven. Wolfhound (Irish hound)
The wolfhound originates from Ireland and is considered a a descendant of the Scottish greyhound, it is also among the largest dogs in the world. It is a giant dog, with a deep chest, long neck and well-developed muscles. Its pointed snout is very similar to the deerhound, as well as long, thick fur with a hard texture to the touch.
