Sighthounds: Sleek, Swift, and Eternal

In this episode, we explore the indispensable Sighthounds. The sleek, swift, and beloved desert hunters and guardians of antiquity.

The story of Sighthounds is the story of the oldest known domesticated dogs. Many of the breeds cherished today pre-date recorded history. Their loyalty, speed, and ability to spot and catch prey over long distances in the cruelest of conditions made them essential assets to pharaohs, kings, and nomads alike. Sighthounds were so revered that statues, murals, and golden relics were created in their honor. As a final testament to their merit, Sighthounds have been discovered, mummified, and laid to rest in family tombs.

Bonafide Bits:

• The Azawakh’s unique lean, durable physique inspired a Formula 1 engineer.
• An ancient leather dog collar was discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb.
• Pharaoh Hounds are known to blush, and even smile.
• In addition to being the world’s fastest dog, Greyhounds have a 270-degree range of vision.
• Canine champions of AKC’s Fast CAT Invitationals have reached speeds of 35-45 mph.

Featured Breeds:

Azawakh

Tall and elegant, the Azawakh is a West African sighthound that originates from the countries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The Azawakh has a short, fine coat that may come in any color or color combinations: red, clear sand to fawn, brindled, parti-color (which may be predominantly white), blue, black, and brown. The head may have a black mask and there may be white markings on the legs, bib, and at the tip of the tail. There are no color or marking disqualifications in the breed. Befitting its heritage, the Azawakh excels as a companion, guardian, and lure courser in the United States. Discover more about Azawakhs at AKC’s Azawakh Breed Biography.

Saluki

Among the world’s oldest breeds, the slim but rugged Saluki was the hunting hound of kings for thousands of years. Salukis are swift and agile sprinters who love a good chase. They make gentle, dignified, and independent but loyal pets. Discover more about Salukis at AKC’s Saluki Breed Biography.

Sloughi

The Sloughi (SLOO-ghee) is a classically constructed sighthound of ancient lineage, originally bred to work on such game as hare, fox, jackal, gazelle, and wild pigs on the punishing terrain of its homeland. This is a lean, no-frills hound standing between 24 to 29 inches at the shoulder. Coat colors include shades of light sand to mahogany red-fawn, with or without brindling, with or without black markings, with no invasive white markings. The Sloughi’s big, dark eyes are often described as “melancholy.” Discover more about Sloughis at AKC’s Sloughi Breed Biography.

Pharaoh Hound

Pharaohs are sleek, aerodynamic coursing hounds bred for high-speed pursuit on rocky terrain. Among their several distinguishing traits are a tight tan coat with matching leather on the nose, ears, and eye rims; ravishing amber eyes; a white-tipped tail; the ability to smile; and a unique way of blushing when happy or excited (“His face glows like a god,” wrote an admirer some 3,000 years ago). These elegant visitors from antiquity possess the speed and graceful movement of all coursers descended from Bronze Age hounds. Discover more about Pharaoh Hounds at AKC’s Pharaoh Hound Breed Biography.

Basenji

The Basenji, Africa's “Barkless Dog,” is a compact, sweet-faced hunter of intelligence and poise. They are unique and beguiling pets, best for owners who can meet their exercise needs and the challenge of training this catlike canine. Basenjis are small, graceful hounds standing 16 or 17 inches at the shoulder. They are recognizable by their glistening short coat, tightly curled tail, wrinkled forehead, and expressive almond-shaped eyes that convey a variety of subtle, humanlike emotions. Basenjis are a lovely sight at a standstill but more impressive yet at a fast trot when they exhibit the long, smooth strides of a mini-racehorse. And yes, it’s true, they don't bark, but they make their feelings known with an odd sound described as something between a chortle and a yodel. Basenjis are fastidious and will groom themselves like cats. This has been called a “cult breed,”¿small in numbers, but those lucky enough to own one do so with singular devotion. Discover more about Basenjis at AKC’s Basenji Breed Biography.

Maltese

The tiny Maltese, “Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta,” has been sitting in the lap of luxury since the Bible was a work in progress. Famous for their show-stopping, floor-length coat, Maltese are playful, charming, and adaptable toy companions. Discover more about Malteses at AKC’s Maltese Breed Biography.

Ibizan Hound

The Ibizan Hound is a lithe and leggy visitor from the dawn of civilization, bred as a rabbit courser on the rocky shores of Spain’s Balearic Islands. World-class sprinters and leapers, Ibizans need ample space to air out their engines.

Ibizans are lithe and leggy visitors from the dawn of civilization. Art history students will recognize the elongated head, with its large erect ears, as a familiar motif of ancient Egypt. The elegant, racy body stands 22.5 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder, with coat colors of solid red or white, or red and white patterns. The rosy-colored leathers of the nose, eye rims, and lips, along with amber or caramel eyes, perfectly complement the coat. The breed’s quiet grace is often described as deer-like. Discover more about Ibizan Hounds at AKC’s Ibizan Hound Breed Biography.

Greyhound

Greyhounds are the essence of the dog breeder’s credo “Form follows function.” From the narrow, aerodynamic skull to the shock-absorbing pads of the feet, Greyhounds are perfectly constructed for high-speed pursuit. The lean beauty of the Greyhound’s “inverted S” shape, created by the deep chest curving gently into a tightly tucked waist, has been an object of fascination for artists, poets, and kings for as long as human beings have called themselves civilized. Greyhounds are the template from which other coursing hounds have been struck. Discover more about Greyhounds at AKC’s Greyhound Breed Biography.

Irish Wolfhound

The calm, dignified, and kindly Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all AKC breeds. Once fearless big-game hunters capable of dispatching a wolf in single combat, Wolfhounds today are the most serene and agreeable of companions. Discover more about Irish Wolfhounds at AKC’s Irish Wolfhound Breed Biography.

Whippet

At somewhere between 18 and 22 inches at the shoulder, the Whippet looks like a Greyhound, but smaller. The Whippet exhibits the classic “inverted S” lines of the sighthound. The deep chest and trim waist; a lean head supported by a long, arched neck; and slim but sturdy legs combine in a picture of an agile, fleet-footed athlete. Between bursts of intense pursuit, Whippets love to stretch out and relax for long hours, enjoying the role of a loving, and loved, companion. Whippets like a fenced yard to run in, but they do nicely in cozy apartments too, as long as they are exercised properly. Another plus for city dwellers: Whippets rarely bark. Despite the breed’s elegant looks, the Whippet is a robust, low-maintenance dog. Discover more about Whippets at AKC’s Whippet Breed Biography.

Thai Ridgeback

The Thai Ridgeback is a muscular, medium-sized dog with a streamlined body that makes him very agile and a natural athlete. The ridge on his back is formed by hair growing in the opposite direction from the rest of his coat and the breed has up to 8 different ridge patterns. Puppies can be born without this ridge. Coat colors include solid blue, black, red, or fawn with a black mask occasionally on the red-coated dogs. Thai Ridgebacks also have spotted tongues and some even come with solid black/blue tongues. Today, most Ridgebacks are companion dogs, but they still maintain many of the same instincts for the jobs for which they were bred: hunting and guarding. They had to be independent and self-sufficient and hunt for their own food, which gave them strong survival instincts, a high prey drive, and a high level of intelligence. If well-bred and properly socialized, the Thai Ridgeback can be a loyal, loving pet. As a guarding breed, they are naturally protective of their home and can be reserved and suspicious of strangers. Thai Ridgebacks will need a patient, consistent, and experienced owner with a good understanding of dog behavior; they are not for first-time dog owners. Discover more about Thai Ridgebacks at AKC’s Thai Ridgeback Breed Biography.

Borzoi

Borzoi are large, elegant sighthounds. A mature male stands at least 28 inches at the shoulder and weighs 75 to 105 pounds. Females will be smaller. Beneath the luxurious silky coat, Borzoi construction follows the ancient Greyhound template. Once known as the Russian Wolfhound, Borzoi were bred to be swift and tough enough to pursue and pin their ferocious lupine quarry. In their quiet, catlike way they can be stubborn, and training is best accomplished with patience, consistency, and good humor. Affectionate family dogs, Borzoi are nonetheless a bit too dignified to wholeheartedly enjoy a lot of roughhousing. The sight of a cat or squirrel on the run will quickly stir their instinct to pursue and fenced-in running room is a must. Discover more about Borzois at AKC’s Borzoi Breed Biography.

For more information about a specific breed visit the breed’s parent club or AKC.org.

Shareables:

• The fleet-footed whippet has been dubbed a poor man’s racehorse.
• There’s evidence that the Greeks not only developed collars but created
• spiked collars, to protect the necks of their hounds from a predator’s bite
• Tesem is an ancient Egyptian catch-all term meaning hunting dog.