7 Types Of Greyhounds You Can’t Miss

Greyhounds are types of dog that are characterized by having a light and agile structure , which allows them to reach a maximum speed close to 70 km / h. Their slim build, elongated legs and wide field of vision make them ideal dogs for competing in speed races. Although there are many types of greyhounds, they all share these renowned characteristics.

The origin of this dog breed dates back to Ancient Egypt. In fact, it is possible to find the presence of these animals in the representations that adorn pyramids and ancient buildings. Already tens of thousands of years ago, greyhounds were famous for their innate speed.

Today, this type of dog is widespread all over the world, although most occupy the southwest of Asia. Greyhounds are not only excellent competition and hunting animals. They are also excellent companions. If you want to adopt a greyhound, know that coexistence will be quite pleasant, thanks to its calm and shy temperament.

Types of greyhounds you need to know

There are many types of greyhounds in the world and, often, they differ in elements such as the type of coat or even the region where they come from. Below, we will show you some of the most beautiful and interesting breeds:

1. Spanish greyhound

These Iberian greyhounds are characterized by a light build, voluminous chest and rather long legs. They usually have a short, thin and very smooth coat. It should also be mentioned that there are some varieties of Spanish Greyhound with a harsh, thick and longer coat. They have the following variety of colors: black, yellow, cinnamon, red and white.

The male can weigh up to 30 kg, while the female at most reaches 25 kilograms. He is a very fast dog and has even registered 70 km / h as a top speed. In the past, this quality was used to hunt hares.

It has become a very common dog in speed racing nowadays. It is also an excellent pet for families with or without children.

2. Arabian Greyhound (Sloughi)

Originally from North Africa, the Sloughi lives mainly in Morocco, Tunisia, Libya and Saudi Arabia. It is known for its fine, short hair and for having black pigmentation in the nose. It is a dog with a lot of  energy  and always on alert, so it is widely used as a guard and shepherd dog.

3. Russian Greyhound (Borzoi)

The Borzoi also has Arab origins and is known for having long wavy hairs and large spots. It is a strong, tall dog that can reach 79 centimeters in height (at the withers) and can weigh up to 48 pounds. The Russian Greyhound is bred to hunt wolves and even hares.

4. Afghan hound

Of all the types of greyhounds, this is probably the best known. It has a very charming appearance, due to its characteristic fur, which is very long and silky. In addition, he is a dog with great intelligence. Unlike other breeds of hunting dogs, the Afghan Hound is specifically bred and raised to participate in  competitions of beauty.

A few centuries ago it was used as a hunting dog. As this practice has gradually disappeared, this has resulted in this animal  losing much of its legendary speed.

5. Persian Greyhound (Saluki)

The Saluki is one of the oldest sighthounds still existing today. It has a fairly thin structure and it is possible to find it of two types, with long and short hair. However, they are very tall specimens  , since an adult male, at the withers, can exceed 71 centimeters, reaching a weight of 30 kilos. They are bred to hunt wild animals.

6. Whippet

It is a greyhound of English origin and is an animal that stands out for its elegance. It is of medium size, can reach up to 51 centimeters in height at the withers and, many years ago, it was used to hunt rabbits. Nowadays his breeding is addressed exclusively for racing in dog tracks.

Since it has a smaller structure than other greyhounds, it is a dog with a very great acceleration (reaches 56 km / h). Not surprisingly, among dog breed experts, the Whippet is known by the nickname of “whip dog”.

7. Scottish Greyhound (Deerhound)

This type of greyhound is known for its coarse, shaggy, gray-colored fur. It is the favorite companion dog of Scottish Gypsies. Moreover, it is extremely fast and agile: for these characteristics, in the past it was used in deer hunting.

You have seen  7 really beautiful and interesting types of greyhounds. After getting to know these extraordinary specimens better, which of these dogs would you like to adopt?