7 Types of Greyhounds

Written and verified by the lawyer Francisco María García

Last update: 21 December, 2022

Greyhounds belong to a dog breed characterized by their agility and speed. These dogs can reach u speeds up to 70 kilometers an hour. Their svelte build, long legs, and wide field of vision make them the perfect dogs for races and competitions. However, there are many different varieties, they all share certain similarities.

The breed originated during the Egyptian Pharaonic period. Egyptian art shows that these dogs are in etchings, sculpture, and paintings. Thousands of years ago, these animals were useful for their speed.

Nowadays, greyhounds exist worldwide, especially in Southwest Asia. They are not just good for racing or hunting; they also make wonderful pets. They’re wonderful companions at home due to their relatively calm and shy personalities.

Types of Greyhounds

There are a number of greyhound varieties that can be distinguished by their coats and the places of origin. Here is a list of the most well-known types:

1) Spanish greyhound

The Spanish Greyhound is a pure-bred, physically fit dog, with a thick chest and long legs. 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 30 kilometers, while females can weigh up to 25 kilograms. It’s a fast breed that reach speeds up to 70 kilometers an hour. In the past, the Spanish Greyhound hunted rabbits in Spain.

Nowadays, these dogs are used for racing in high-speed competitions. They are also wonderful companions.

2) Sloughi, or Arabic Greyhound

Originally from North Africa, the Sloughi is mostly found in Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and Saudi Arabia. They’re known for their fine, short hair, and black pigmentation on their snouts. This breed has a lot of energy and high alertness, which makes it a good guard dog for sheep.

3) Borzoi, or Russian Greyhound

The Borzoi has Arabic origins and is known for its long, wavy hair with spots. It’s a strong, tall dog that can reach up to 79 centimeters tall and weigh 48 pounds. The Russian greyhound is bred for hunting wolves and rabbits.

4) Afghan Greyhound

The Afghan greyhound might be the most well-known variety of this breed. It has a visually stunning due to its long, silky coat. Plus, this dog is incredibly intelligent. Unlike the other types mentioned earlier, the Afghan greyhound is bred for dog shows and beauty pageants.

It’s worth mentioning that, even though they used to be hunting dogs, now they aren’t as fast as other types of greyhounds.

5) Saluki, or Persian Greyhound

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 71 centimeters in height and weigh 30 kilos. They’re bred for hunting wild animals.

6) 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. Because of its small stature, this type of greyhound has the fastest acceleration time. In fact, many dog experts refer to the animals as “Snap Dogs.”

7) Scottish Greyhound, or Deerhound

The Deerhound is known for its uneven, shaggy, grey coat. This breed is a favorite companion of the Scottish gypsies. In addition, it’s incredibly agile and fast, and it’s bred to hunt foxes.