There are many reasons why Greyhounds are such an awe-inspiring breed. From their balanced, lean but athletic stature to their smooth coats that come in many captivating shades, Greyhounds are a thing of beauty. But the real talent we all cherish them for is that they’re a super-fast dog breed.
Greyhounds are one of the oldest dog breeds, and have been seen in the Middle Eastern and North African history books, and have been the inspiration of ancient Egyptian artists. In our times, they’re not just a renowned sighthound breed used for hunting large game, but famous racing dogs as well.
If you want to know about some other dog breeds that look like these speedy canines, and also have some similar traits, here’s a detailed review.
Top 7 Dogs that Look Like Greyhounds
1. Whippet
We’ll start with Greyhound’s own descendants; the Whippets, that is, a dog breed quite close in looks to the former. Whippets are also called the “Poor Man’s Racehorse” (no shade intended, we hope), as they’re very speedy dogs in a smaller body.
It’s hard not to be impressed with their graceful build and a gentle temperament that makes Whippets amazing companions. They have the Greyhound classic inverted ‘S’, the trademark deep chest, and lean body. They can be 18 to 22 inches tall and weigh from 20-40 pounds.
Whippets can fill many roles in your life; from energetic running companions to easy-going indoor pets who’ll happily relax with you. Having a large fenced yard will keep them peachy as they’ll get to stretch their strong legs to their heart’s content.
The American Kennel Club mentions that they rarely bark, which makes them fantastic pets for urban settings and an apartment lifestyle. They love to form strong bonds with their family members and brighten up their homes with their playful nature.
2. Italian Greyhound
Italian Greyhound simply looks like Greyhounds that have been shrunk. With similar lean bodies, sleek coats, and long muzzles, they pose with a grace that makes them unforgettable. They’re no taller than 13-15 inches and no heavier than 7-15 pounds.
Italian Greyhounds are a little shy in personality and need early socialization training from when they’re still puppies. They make amazing snuggle buddies, which is also something that helps them stay warm.
These woofers need smart owners who can understand their temperament as they fancy themselves full-sized Greyhounds. They will burrow under piles of clothes without realizing they’re small dogs and can get suffocated if they are unable to get out of it.
Having an Igs will give you an opportunity (or excuse) to do a lot of shopping in pet stores, as they’ll need a wardrobe of warm clothes.
3. Saluki
Saluki’s unique name matches their elegant appearance. They’re one of the hunting dog breeds dating all the way back to 329 BCE, even before the Egyptian pyramids were built. Their similarity with Greyhound can be seen in their prominent, long muzzle, sleek build, and long and narrow head.
Salukis were really royal Egyptian hounds as their Pharaohs wanted to make sure they got an entrance to the afterlife, as per PetMD. Yes, Salukis have been mummified. This ancient breed is skinny and really fast sprinters; nomadic tribes once enlisted their services to hunt gazelles, foxes, and hares, etc.
They are also called Persian Greyhounds and can sometimes be confused with Sloughi or Arabian Greyhounds.
Salukis can be up to 28 inches tall, and their weight can range from 40-65 pounds. What makes them stand out from Greyhounds is their silky fur on their ears, and their two varieties of gorgeous coat: smooth and feathered.
4. Azawakh
You’ve probably not heard of this one before because they’re one of the African sighthounds’ lesser-known in the U.S. Azawakhs are cherished as affectionate pets and companion dogs in their native regions and are also kept as guard dogs.
Everything about Azawakhs is “long”, from their bodies to their legs, to their tails. They have an impressive deep chest similar to Greyhounds and have longer necks that make them stand out. They will literally stick their neck out for you due to their loyal and protective nature.
On average, these woofers can be 23-29 inches tall at the shoulder, with a weight range of 35-50 pounds. They have an impressive endurance as they were developed to chase prey in the rough terrains of the Sahara. They’re also great racing dogs and do amazingly in agility coursing.
5. Scottish Deerhound
Scottish Deerhounds make friendly and affectionate family dogs and have a sensitive temperament. They were originally bred for coursing deer and need a lot of physical activity and wider spaces to stay healthy.
The Scottish Deerhound seems like a Greyhound if Greyhound had a thick, wiry coat on its body. This is one of this breed’s most defining features, but it has a similar deep chest, long legs, and ‘S’ curve as a Greyhound’s.
These pups are elegant and lean in build. These big doggos can be up to 32 inches tall and weigh up to 110 pounds. They need to run, and as they enjoy cold weather, you can take them out on trails during the winter months.
A Scottish Deerhound won’t mind lounging inside with you, enjoying lazy moments, if they’re getting some time daily to run about. According to Hill’s Pet, they need a lot of food, so make sure to take care of their nutritional needs.
6. Borzoi
Put a fluffy, dense fur on a Greyhound and you get a Borzoi. One of the most beautiful dogs, Borzois make ideal companions due to their calm and affectionate nature. They can exhibit a cat-like temperament and act stubbornly, but proper training from an early age makes them more obedient.
Borzois pose with an air of mystery with their slender physique. They’ve been called the Russian Wolfhounds as they were bred in Russia to hunt wolves. They’re lesser-known canines; the American Kennel Club has them in 101st place out of 201 possible breeds.
These large dogs can be 26-30 inches tall and weigh from 75 to 105 pounds. They can stride in power and run as fast as 30 to 40 miles per hour; from course luring to trail running, they’re perfect for activities that make them stretch their long legs.
Consistent training and mental stimulation can help them grow to be more well-rounded, as they can have a stubborn streak. They are well-suited for home life in general, but it’s hard to watch a big dog with hunting instincts around little children.
7. Ibizan Hounds
Ibizans are lean and agile dogs with a striking resemblance to the Egyptian god “Anubis”. Their physique follows the typical Greyhound memo with a deeper chest and long, narrow head. Their large ears are what make them stand out from Greyhounds in looks.
Ibizans have a smooth short coat that comes in white and red colors, both solid and with tan marks. Ibizan hounds can be up to 26 inches in height and 55 pounds in weight. These pups will take any opportunity to take a sprint outside and love running for long distances.
They’re quite gentle and can get along well with kids, but they can be reserved even with their own humans, especially towards strangers. Give them as much exercise as they need, and they’ll stay content; they’ll also enjoy agility training and lure coursing.
These beautiful sighthounds originated from the Mediterranean isle of Ibiza, and probably accompanied Phoenician traders around 800 BC.
Conclusion
While these dogs resemble Greyhounds in appearance, they all come with their own individual temperaments and needs. All dog breeds have their own ideal environment and climate where they thrive; as a dog owner, make sure to talk to the rescue center or breeder about these needs.
