What Are Sighthounds and How Do They Differ from Other Breeds

Sighthounds are a unique group of breeds that have been around for thousands of years, originating from ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Greece.

Their primary purpose is to chase and catch small game, using their exceptional speed and agility to pursue prey.

Sighthounds are built for speed, with slender bodies and long legs that allow them to cover great distances at high velocities, often reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.

Their eyesight is also highly developed, with a 270-degree field of vision that helps them detect movement and track prey over long distances.

One notable characteristic of sighthounds is their independent nature, often making them more challenging to train than other breeds.

Sighthounds are a group of dog breeds that are bred for their speed and agility, with some reaching speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.

The Greyhound is one of the oldest and most well-known sighthound breeds, with a history dating back over 4,000 years.

Sight hounds have a unique body type, with long legs and a deep chest, allowing them to cover great distances at high speeds.

The Borzoi, also known as the Russian Wolfhound, is a tall and slender sighthound breed that is known for its speed and agility.

Sighthounds are often bred for their ability to chase small game, such as rabbits and hares.

The Saluki is an ancient sighthound breed that is known for its speed and endurance, with a history dating back over 4,000 years.

Sighthounds are generally quiet and calm dogs, but can become energetic and excited when they see prey.

Sighthounds are aerodynamic, long-limbed, and efficiently built, with no unnecessary mass slowing them down.

Their springy spine and flexible body propel them forward, enabling the unique double suspension gait in which their bodies become airborne twice in a single stride.

Sighthounds are bred to be fast, with the speediest ones reaching up to 45 miles per hour.

Their independent nature can make training challenging, but with a loving family, they often present a gentle and affectionate temperament.

Sighthounds have a rich history that spans thousands of years. The earliest presumed sighthound remains date back around 4,000 years, with a male sighthound found in the excavations of Tell Brak having a shoulder height of around 54 cm.

Some of these ancient sighthounds were described in detail, such as the Celtic vertragus from Roman Spain of the 2nd century C.E., which is the earliest complete European description of a sighthound and its work. The Warmington Roman dog, a well-preserved skeleton found in England, is also believed to be a sighthound of similar historic period.

Sighthounds have undergone significant breeding over the centuries, with the exception of a few genetic differences. A sighthound skeleton from the 8th to 9th century CE was genetically compared to the modern Greyhound and found to be almost identical, with only four deletions and one substitution in the DNA sequences.

Kennel clubs classify sighthounds in different ways. The American Kennel Club and The Kennel Club (UK) group them with scent hounds in a Hound Group, while the Fédération Cynologique Internationale groups them in a dedicated Sighthound Group.

Here's a breakdown of how kennel clubs classify sighthounds:

The Borzoi is a majestic breed with a rich history. They originated in the 1400s in Russia.

Their lifespan is relatively long, ranging from 9 to 14 years. This means they can be a loyal companion for many years.

Borzoi are known for their tall stature, with males reaching 28 inches or more in height. They have a slender build and a long coat that requires regular grooming.

Borzoi are sprinters by nature, built for speed and agility. They have keen eyesight and are known to chase anything that moves.

Here are some key characteristics of the Borzoi breed:

They are independent and intelligent dogs, which can make training a challenge. However, with regular exercise and attention, they can be loving and loyal companions.

The Saluki is a breed that dates back to around 7,000 B.C., originating from Middle Eastern kingdoms. This ancient history is a testament to their enduring popularity as a prized hunting dog.

Their lifespan is relatively long, ranging from 10 to 17 years. This means that with proper care, a Saluki can be a loyal companion for a significant portion of your life.

The Saluki is a relatively small breed, with a height range of 20 to 28 inches.

Sighthounds have a rich history that spans thousands of years.

The earliest presumed sighthound remains, of a male with a shoulder height around 54 cm, date back approximately 4,000 years to the excavations of Tell Brak.

A Celtic vertragus, a type of sighthound, is described in Roman Spain from the 2nd century C.E.

This description comes from Arrian's Cynegeticus, providing the earliest complete European description of a sighthound and its work.

A similar type of sighthound, possibly a moderately sized male, was described from a well-preserved skeleton found in England, known as the Warmington Roman dog.

This dog had a height of 61–63 cm and dates back to the same historic period as the Celtic vertragus.

Sighthound type "gracile" bones, dating from the 8th to 9th century CE, were found to be almost identical with the modern Greyhound breed.

These bones were genetically compared with the modern Greyhound and other sighthounds, revealing only four deletions and one substitution in the DNA sequences.

Population genomic analysis suggests that true sighthounds originated independently from native dogs and were comprehensively admixed among breeds.

This supports the multiple origins hypothesis of sighthounds.

Kennel clubs around the world have different ways of classifying breeds, but they all aim to group similar breeds together.

The American Kennel Club and The Kennel Club (UK) both group sighthound breeds with scent hounds in a Hound Group.

However, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale takes a more specialized approach, grouping sighthounds in a dedicated Sighthound Group.

The United Kennel Club also has a unique classification system, grouping sighthounds with pariah breeds in a Sighthound and Pariah Group.

Here's a breakdown of the different kennel club classifications: