The Patagonian Greyhound hails from Argentina and is also known as the Galgo Patagonico. Used to hunt large game, the breed was created by combining a variety of large sighthounds and working breeds – namely the Scottish Deerhound, Greyhound, Irish Wolfhound, Borzoi, Great Dane and Dogo Argentino. The project has been going on for about 200 years, meaning this is not a brand new dog breed. Dogs needed to be able to handle the harsh conditions of the area and demonstrate a keen ability to hunt, and all decisions have been made by hunters by selecting the best of the best crosses. Patagonians provide their owners safety from wild animals as well as a steady supply of food, making them extremely valued in the region of Patagonia! Although this is a very rare breed in the United States, as well as most of the world, he is recognized by the Argentinian Kennel Club.

The Patagonian is known for his fearless nature, and indeed, he is said to be just as brave as his cousin the Dogo. This is a breed that has been bred solely for working purposes and he takes his hunting and guarding jobs extremely seriously. Charles Darwin himself was said to have come across this breed in his travels and noted how valued they were by the tribespeople in “The Origin of the Species”! While this sighthound is still extremely rare, it will be interesting to see the breed hopefully grow and develop. As of this moment there is very little known about them in most of the world, save for the region of Patanonia in Argentina.

The Taigan (pronounced ti-jan) is a sighthound breed from Kyrgystan which is closely related to both the Saluki and the Tazy. Possessing great stamina in the hunt, particularly in the high altitudes in which they were created, they frequently hunt alongside a trained Golden Eagle while running down prey! This versatile hound is also capable of retrieving fallen small prey, and has a talented nose for tracking as well. They are used to hunt a large variety of prey, everything from small game such as the hare, badger and fox, to larger animals such as deer and even wolves! Unfortunately the breed is currently very rare and on the verge of extinction – seldom seen outside of Russia, where they are recognized. It can also be difficult to obtain one as the Kyrgyz people are guarded and cautious about letting their puppies go to people that they don’t know.

Taigans are alert, active and capable of running very fast (up to 35-37 MPH). They are persistent hunters which means if they catch sight of a running animal they are likely to race after it irregardless of any danger around them such as traffic. They do need daily exercise but it should be on leash or in a safely fenced yard, and any opportunities to run in a decent-sized backyard each day is the most ideal form of exercise for them. After short bursts of energy, they are fairly inactive indoors and make easy house companions, but they do need lots of access to properties in which to run. Because of their backyard needs they are not recommended for apartment living.

The Taigan is intelligent but overall independent. While he can be trained, an owner must utilize respect and non-abrasiveness towards this sensitive breed. Keep in mind that he can be bullheaded at times and may need firm guidance, but firmness does not have to equal harshness! Utilize consistency and a patient, yet resolved attitude and this will go a long way in teaching him. A heaping dose of positive reinforcement won’t hurt either! He can be taught obedience by a persistent owner although he usually prefers running dog sports such as lure coursing. Taigans can make excellent watchdogs and even guard dogs – traits that aren’t generally common for most sighthounds. They have even been utilized for livestock guardian duties!

Taigans tend to have stable temperaments and are gentle with humans, with whom they are pleasant and gracious towards. They aren’t fans of small children as they can easily get distressed by rough treatment and unpredictability (both of which toddlers often have), but get along easily with well behaved older kids. They are not a typical “in your face” type breed as far as overt affection and instead have a generally aloof personality, although they are loyal and loving. They usually get along nicely with other dogs although tend to chase cats and other small pets. Some do ok when raised with cats, but mileage may vary.

Although an official standard is difficult to come across for this breed, the Taigan has a few key physical features that define it. The coat is medium in length, with a distinctive undercoat that gets thicker in winter, and the coat can even be somewhat curly. The ears and tails are especially long, and the hair that grows on the feet is protective and padded like little boots. Various colors are seen, but most often fawn, cream, black, brown, white and gray – either solid or with white markings. He has a typical sighthound build including long legs and an elongated muzzle. A long tail ends in a ring which typically cannot be pulled straight. He is medium to large in height, and delicate in build.

The average lifespan for the Taigan is 11-13 years and most dogs are healthy although bloat can occur. This is a condition that seems to have both a genetic basis, as well as an environmental/situational one. Prospective owners should read up on how to minimize the risk of bloat before acquiring one of the deep chested breeds most prone to it, such as the Taigan. Health conditions seen less commonly in the breed include hip and elbow dysplasia, osteoarthritis and dental issues.

Formerly known as the Longhaired Whippet, the Windsprite is not actually a variation of the Whippet but instead a breed established from it. Their history is a little controversial… back in the 70’s a man named Walter Wheeler Jr. claimed he had been breeding “rare” Whippets with a recessive longhaired gene. Later on with the help of genetic testing it was found that these were not purebred Whippets at all, but rather Whippets mixed with a herding breed. As Mr. Wheeler also kept Shetland Sheepdogs in his kennel it seemed all too clear what had happened! The breed name was eventually changed from Longhaired Whippet to Silken Windsprite to simply Windsprite. This breed is a forerunner to the Silken WindHOUND, which, although similar in appearance, is a different and separate breed.

The Windsprite is a low-key dog that can “bring it” when needed and turn off the energy when relaxing, making them suited to many different energy levels of households. Despite their elegant appearance, they are willing and able to engage in all manner of hiking, swimming, and even snow sports – provided, of course, that once home they are allowed to rest on a comfortable pillow or under a pile of blankets! They are low-maintenance dogs that can become wonderful family companions. One of the biggest “complaints” is that they are difficult to keep off the furniture – which is not too horrible a vice in the grand scheme of things! Windsprites are fairly quiet for the most part although they are not a completely silent breed. Most will announce strangers at the door and many can be vocal while playing, however overall they aren’t prone to senseless barking fits.

The Windsprite is intelligent and easy to train when sessions are short and non-repetitive. This is a versatile coated sighthound that can successfully compete in lure coursing, tracking, nosework, agility, obedience, freestyle, rally, conformation, flyball, herding, dock diving and straight racing. Many also enjoy learning tricks, especially ones that will snag extra attention or laughs! Probably because of the Sheltie in their lineage, they are less likely to dash after prey than other sighthounds although they still need to have a firm recall in place before being trusted off-leash, and some particularly high prey-drive dogs might still do better in the safety net of a fenced yard. Always assume that a squirrel is going to temporarily distract even the most recall-practiced of dogs! When it comes to training, this breed is very sensitive so if you’re having a bad day, you might want to skip training until you’re in a better mood.

Windsprites love being with their people – whether it be playing a game of fetch or hanging on the couch. This means that plenty of velcro’ing should be expected as they will shadow their owner from room to room! This is a social breed that enjoys meeting strangers and can even make a great therapy dog when well socialized. They have silly and clownish senses of humor and enjoy putting smiles on faces. This affectionate little sighthound also tends to get along well with other dogs, and enjoys engaging with those whom have similar playing styles. When raised with them, cats can become great friends as well, with the caveat that the cat be indoor-only so as to not set off their prey drive. A note about their velcro tendencies – surprisingly the breed isn’t super prone to separation anxiety although containment phobia may be an issue if they are put in a crate (whether or not the owner is in the room).

Overall the Windsprite is a healthy breed usually living between 14-16 years of age. MDR1 drug sensitivity and COA (Collie Eye anomaly) are in the breed however with genetic tests available, responsible breeders are working to breed these diseases out. Allergies and IBD occasionally pop up as well so buyers should make sure to ask prospective breeders about their lines. It is impossible to avoid health issues in dogs completely (even mutts can have health-related problems), but responsible breeders make careful decisions and try to create as healthy of litters as they can.

Windsprites are able to handle an active outdoor lifestyle but also can be just as happy as couch potatoes. The Windsprite, despite being an able-bodied athlete, does not need a serious amount of exercise to be happy. Unlike some breeds that can become destructive and hard to live with without plenty of physical activity, this little sighthound isn’t prone to destruction or fits of frustration if a walk is skipped. Granted, it is a good idea to give him SOME exercise since he does enjoy being out and about with his owner – but he doesn’t require hours and hours a day. Sighthounds in general need to run, so even though the Windsprite can live happily in an apartment, he needs to be given daily access to a fenced yard for him to race around in.

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback hails from Vietnam and is sometimes also known as the Vietnamese Ridgeback or the Phu Quoc Dog. It is one of three breeds to carry a distinctive ridge of hair down the center of its back that grows in the opposite direction to the rest of the hair, and is by far the rarest of the three – even considered rare in Vietnam. This athletic breed was discovered in the 19th century as a somewhat feral dog – sometimes living with people and other times fending for itself by relying on excellent hunting and scavenging skills to survive. Those that lived with people hunted with them in the day and guarded the home at night. When kept as a pet, this is a loyal and sweet companion.

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is alert and suspicious of strangers at first. When shown kindness, however, he will accept them as friends. The breed is fearless and if needed, he will defend his owner from any perceived threat – be it person or animal. That said, unlike many breeds with a guarding background he is fairly friendly with the majority of people (including kids) and has a laid-back, even temperament when raised correctly. He tends to get along well with other dogs as well and generally enjoy playing with them. Historically, the breed would occasionally hunt in packs as well as independently so they are generally “wired” to get along.

Phu Quocs need regular daily exercise – and plenty of it! This is not a sedentary breed and will stay fairly active throughout the majority of their lives, which averages about 15-16 years. Because of the Pho Quoc’s semi-feral roots, only the strong survived and thus most are resilient, hardy and active! This primitive dog is known for his speed and his propensity for swimming, jumping and climbing (including trees). He is also very playful and enjoys running and cavorting in a fenced area. Fenced is best… because he is exceptionally fast and could easily get away if he decides to run after a small animal or other distraction. He is a natural hunter and will go after anything from small rodents to huge mammals to fish in a pond!

The Phu Quoc is an intelligent dog although needs mental outlets in the form of training, puzzles and play sessions. Because of his exceptional athleticism and strong need for mental stimulation, he is actually a fairly versatile dog that is able to compete in many dog sports if desired! He learns quickly and tends to pick up obedience commands and general house rules with ease, in addition to being easily housebroken.

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback’s smooth coat comes in a variety of colors – namely fawn, black/tan, black or brindle. Countershading and/or a black mask is accepted on fawns and brindles. The head is wedge-shaped and exotic. Interestingly, the tongue may have black spots or be entirely black (which is actually preferred in the standard). The tail should look not unlike a saber, tapering at the tip and carried high while never arching over the back. As the smallest of all the ridgebacks, they never grow above a medium height/weight. Though their frame is muscular, they have a refined and graceful appearance overall.

Phu Quocs are easy keepers and don’t require much in terms of grooming. They keep themselves fairly clean and shed very little. They are overall quite healthy (despite their small numbers, as a breed they are surprisingly genetically diverse) and don’t require mountains of food. Finally, they are generally polite and easygoing in the home as long as they are given basic training and taught good manners. Separation anxiety isn’t common, nor are other neurotic behaviors – although digging may become an exciting pastime. This is all assuming that the dog lives in a suitable environment (no apartments please) and is given plenty of exercise.

Photo By Stefan from Dresden, Germany

The Rajapalayam hails from India, where he once was a dog of royalty before later being faced with extinction. Luckily, with the help of the Kennel Club of India’s “Save the Rajapalayam Project”, he has been slowly growing in numbers again – even making an appearance on local postage stamps! While he is recognized in India, he is still virtually unknown in most other parts of the world. This sighthound breed was created to hunt wild boar as well as to guard the estate. At one point he was also used a war dog. He primarily uses his eyes to spot prey although does also rely on a great sense of smell as well. The breed can hunt in packs, in pairs or by himself (with or without a human hunter in tow to dispatch the prey once he takes it down).

Rajapalayams are suspicious toward strangers – if not even outright aggressive, although are extremely loyal to their owners. This is due to their guard dog instincts which are very prized in the breed. Some owners find it hard to have guests over because this hound is so territorial, which means they should only be owned by experienced dog people! They need to be carefully introduced to family friends in order to accept them – and ideally done on neutral ground initially. This fearless breed will bite first and ask questions later – it is not for the faint of heart! With their own family they are friendly and loving – often bonding particularly strongly to one person. They also have naturally high prey drives which means that they do best in homes without cats or other small animals. Even small dogs may be regarded as prey.

The Rajapalayam is more muscular than many sighthounds, yet still possesses long thin legs, a long tapering tail and a lean frame. The muzzle is elongated and the forehead is domed, with soft pendant ears hanging on each side of the face. They have a smooth, yet dense coat that is milk-white in color. The nose and lips are pink and the eyes are often gold or green. They are large in size, measuring up to 29 inches at the withers.

The Rajapalayam is most at home in a house that has a yard for him to run in. A fence is necessary, or even better – a tall wall that will keep this jumping Houdini safely inside the property! Under normal circumstances he should be walked every day to expend his energy. While he is calm and well-behaved in the house, he was bred to run and therefore does have energy that must be burned. One should never skimp on exercise lest they be prepared to have a bored, destructive dog on their hands!

The Rajapalayam is intelligent although can be headstrong and difficult to train. He needs to value his trainer in order to work, so one must build a strong foundation from puppyhood based on mutual respect. He also needs extensive socialization from early puppyhood. As with other sighthounds, his strong prey drive will overrule an obedience command if a particularly distracting prey animal runs near him. Be prepared to spend lots of time training with distractions, and don’t put 100% of your trust in him if he’s off leash.

Rajapalayams shed very little and don’t require very much grooming – least of all professional grooming! Many keep themselves fairly clean and will lick themselves like cats. Only the most basic of care will be needed to keep one looking his best. The short white coat has adapted him to live in the hot climate of India although he doesn’t fare as well in colder temperatures. Be prepared to give him a coat when walking outside in the winter. In terms of health – while most members of the breed are healthy, deafness does run in some lines as it is unfortunately linked to white dogs. Aside from this, the average lifespan is about 10-11 years.

Photo By Anandhasakthi

The Podenco Andaluz is a warren hound AKA a pondenco, which roughly translates to a Mediterranean rabbit hunting breed. Also known as the Andalusian Hound, this is one of several podenco breeds developed in Spain. An ancient breed, he is categorized as a primitive hunting dog by some and as a sighthound by others. The breed is recognized by the Real Sociedad Canina de Espana in Spain, as well as in Germany, although is virtually unknown in America. Because he shares so many similarities to the Portuguese Podenco, the FCI does not recognize him as a distinct breed at this time although clearly several countries disagree with this decision.

The Andaluz comes in three distinct sizes: small, medium and large. While all varieties were used for hunting by sight, smell and sound; the largest variety was normally put to work tracking and flushing out prey in order to kill it and return it to their master (together in packs with Greyhounds). They were also used for watchdog duties. The smallest variety served double-duty both hunting and ridding the home of rats. In addition to several sizes, the breed also can appear in three different coats (shorthaired, wirehaired and longhaired), and a few different colors (white, cinnamon, or a combination of white and cinnamon).

The Podenco Andaluz is affectionate and loyal to his family, and tends to have a larger-than-life personality while still remaining gentle. All varieties also do well with children if raised with them, although the largest variety may be a bit too exuberant for young toddlers. This is a happy-go-lucky breed that enjoys playing just as much as he loves getting into trouble – his curious nature can lead him into various shenanigans throughout his life!

Andaluz are intelligent, quick-learners and enjoy pleasing their owners – all traits that make them surprisingly good obedience prospects. In fact, they need a job to do and without one can develop behavioral issues, which makes training a definite necessity! Agility, disc dog and obedience can all fulfill this need, as can other enriching dog sports. Some hounds can be bossy in nature so household rules should be started early and enforced. Sensitive and gentle beasts – they will shut down with harsh behavior so while training should be firm it should never be abusive. As with other sighthounds, they have high prey drives and tend to chase small animals when given the chance, which means one must work extra hard at enforcing off-leash commands and otherwise keep them in fenced areas until and unless the hound becomes trustworthy (if ever).

The Podenco Andaluz requires daily exercise in the form of regular walking and supplemental time to run in a safe, fenced area. He has plenty of stamina and energy, and can be a fantastic jogging partner as long as he is kept on leash! Without adequate exercise he can become destructive at home. As he was developed to hunt in hot, dry conditions; he does best in these temperatures although can live in most any climate. With proper care, the average lifespan is 11-12 years.

Podenco Andaluz can live in apartments or smaller spaces but only as long as they are given enough exercise – this is a high-energy breed after all! The smaller varieties are a little easier to manage in this type of lifestyle. Whatever the size of the living space, however, the breed is highly alert at home and can be an excellent watchdog. This said, he is a naturally submissive hound that isn’t likely to attack unless push comes to shove. He isn’t fond of strangers and can be skittish or nervous around them – particularly if his owner isn’t around.

The Pashmi is an ancient Indian breed which is closely related to the Saluki and the Tazi. The name roughly translates to “furry” or “soft”, referring to the feathers on his ears, tails and back of legs. While some say that this is the feathered version of the Mudhol breed, the Kennel Club of India considers them to be a separate breed. This is a sighthound bred to hunt hare, deer and fox however is also used to guard the home (a common trait among Indian sighthounds). The Pashmi is intelligent but very independent and can be hard to train. They aren’t recommended for novice owners because of their stubbornness and their guarding tendencies. Traits which can be fantastic in the right home but difficult for novices to handle.

The Pashmi is a sensitive soul and often behaves in a reserved manner. He must be treated gently and given plenty of respect. He does not take kindly to bad treatment and, at worst, can show aggression if he feels threatened. That said, he is very loyal to his owner and will show his courageous side when chasing after prey. This isn’t a social butterfly when out in public and, in fact, has been referred to as a “one man dog” as he will practically ignore everyone who isn’t his master. Even still, he must be socialized early and often as a puppy so as to avoid any extreme fearfulness.

Pashmi need to be exercised every day and also require regular grooming. One or twice a week of brushing, in addition to nail trims and dental care are important to the health of this hound. Exercise must include regular bouts of running in a fenced yard – most sighthounds need to run off-leash so they can get up to full speed and the Pashmi is no exception! Because this can only be done in a fenced area, they do best in homes with a yard rather than an apartment. In addition to free running, they should be given regular walks and this can be “upgraded” to jogging or running alongside a bike.

Photo By Ksuryawanshi

Although he is occasionally considered to be the same breed as the Mudhol Hound, the Kennel Club of India recognizes the Caravan Hound as a separate and distinct breed. This is an ancient breed which is a close relative to the Saluki. The breed’s ancestors were brought to India from Asian traders who traveled in caravans – hence the name. The Caravan is loyal although has an independent personality as his primary purpose had been to hunt autonomously from people, as well as guard the homestead. He is aloof and reserved in temperament.

It is important to socialize a Caravan from a young age as he is naturally protective and territorial. Although most do not enjoy being handled by strangers, early socialization to stranger contact is essential since all dogs must learn to tolerate a vet exam. Without this important step, he can become either extremely fearful or aggressive. This sensitive breed does best with gentle owners who don’t live in chaotic households. Apartments – frequently teeming with tenants – can also be a bit much for this sensitive, yet protective hound. He does much better in a quiet home with a large fenced yard for him to run in.

The Caravan Hound prefers warm climates although can make due in cold weather as long as he is provided a coat. In warm climates he enjoys spending time outside to stretch his legs, although should be given plenty of indoor time so he can relax with his owners. Although independent, he’s not the best match for people that work all day and would be leaving the dog home alone for long bouts of time.

Caravans require extensive exercise every day, and this should be given in a fenced area or on-leash. Like most sighthounds he has a very high prey instinct and will not heed his owners call if in pursuit of a rabbit or similar animal! He should be provided not only with regular long walks, but also routine periods for off-leash running in a securely fenced area. His large size requires a large yard (or fenced space) in order to get up to full speed and thus get the exercise he needs. He is recommended only for active people, and ideally those who are experienced with sighthounds.

The Caravan Hound is trainable but can prove difficult for a novice unfamiliar with sighthound temperament. He is strong-willed and can be harder to motivate than other dogs. He also doesn’t fare well with harsh treatment or training and this must be kept in mind when working with him. Finally, while he is highly intelligent – he may not always jump to follow commands quickly.

Caravans are generally quiet and gentle, and can be great family dogs in the right setting. While most are playful and loving with kids, it’s best if children are older and well-behaved as this breed doesn’t tolerate rude behavior. Because of their general distrust of strangers, they do best in peaceful homes without frequent parties or gatherings. Finally, many can’t be trusted around cats. So while they can be family dogs, a number of circumstances must be met in order to ensure a good match for this breed. This is a hunting breed that doubled as a watchdog or even guard dog in India, which means he is more serious than the typical laid-back companion-bred types sought out by most families.

The head of the Caravan Hound should be long and narrow, with hanging ears set on above the level of the eyes. When it comes to grooming, this is one of the most low-maintenance breeds there is. A quick brush down once a week is enough to keep the coat in check. The coat itself is one of the breed’s distinguishing features, and should be extremely short and “unique”. The breed sheds an average amount. Colors include black, seal, red, gray, fawn, cream, or black and tan. Minimal white markings, sable shading, and black masks are allowed.

Photo by CC BY-SA 3.0

The Shanxi Xigou (prouncounced see-gow) is a rare Chinese sighthound whose ancestors date back thousands of years. In fact, drawings of similar dogs have been depicted on the walls of an ancient Qin Dynasty prince’s tomb as long as 2500 years ago! They were used by emperors to hunt “royal” game and some say that this breed is the predecessor to all sighthound breeds. Recognized only in China (and only since 2017), the breed will be petitioning to be accepted into the FCI once the population is larger. The name comes from Zhang Xian, a Chinese god who would often take the form of a dog.

The Shanxi is capable of doing guard dog duty along with his skills as a hunter and companion animal. Like most sighthounds, he is quite independent and even aloof to strangers, although quietly affectionate to those whom he knows and loves. As an active athlete, the Xigou needs regular exercise every day. A daily walk on lead (on lead because of high prey drive), supplemented by free running in a securely fenced yard is usually sufficient. He should also be given tasks which will promote both mind and body stimulation so dog sports such as rally or agility are great!

Because of his independence and stubbornness to following commands, the Shanxi Xigou takes patience to train. This said, he is intelligent so an owner willing to put in the time and stay consistent will often see results.

One of the physical characteristics of the Shanxi is an unusual roman “ram’s head” type face. The standard actually states that two type of heads are allowed and the ram’s head shape is less preferred, however this shape is common enough that it is worth mentioning as a distinguishing feature. The breed also shares the typical lean frame of most other sighthounds. Like feathered Salukis (in fact, the breed has been called the Chinese Saluki), they have a short coat with longer fringes on the ears and tail. Colors include black, blue, silver, cream, white, red, and fawn. Brindle patterning is acceptable. A white tip at the end of the tail is a disqualification.