The Sloughi is (so far) the newest sighthound breed to join the AKC, but this is actually a very old breed with a rich history. These speedy African hounds have an aloof attitude and a generally cat-like temperament. The standard states that they are “a dog with class and grace”, and indeed they exude a dignified aura about them wherever they go. Reserved and careful in their actions, they don’t like being around people who are loud or generally overwhelming. They will put up with strangers who are polite but won’t be overly affectionate. Neither are they super demonstrative with their owners, although they grow very strong attachments to them and form close bonds.

The Sloughi must be socialized early so that his aloof temperament doesn’t turn to shyness or even aggression. Just because he is reserved doesn’t mean he should ever be fearful – these two traits are very different. This is especially important when it comes to socializing him to children – he can get along with them very well but only if he has been raised with them. Just as he doesn’t tolerate rude behavior from adults, so is the case with children. Teaching kids to be polite to the dog is just as important! Many people find that kids in the toddler age are too rough, and must wait until their child has grown up a bit before owning one of these dogs.

Sloughis need plenty of exercise every day, including time to run around in a fenced area. This makes most of them ill-suited as apartment dogs. Although their frame may cause them to look delicate, this is actually a very athletic and robust dog who benefits from good, hard exercise! Free running is their very favorite activity, and therefore should be given to them on as regular a basis as possible. Just make sure that the fence in the area is at least 6 feet high as this breed can jump! Not fenced in, Sloughis can run so fast that they will be out of your site in mere seconds – so a fence cannot be stressed enough.

Like all sighthounds, the Sloughi has an inborn high prey drive so he must be taught to get along with other pets while young. If raised with cats and small animals from puppyhood, many people have great success living in harmony with all the pets. If the owner waits till the dog is older to introduce him to a cat… the chances go down. Most members of the breed are polite with other dogs, although they may show some territorial behavior if a strange dog just shows up in their yard.

An independent creature, Sloughis are intelligent but not always naturally obedient. This can make the breed difficult to own for novices. When it comes to training, the Sloughi has a very sensitive nature and doesn’t do well with harsh corrections. This said, some tend to become assertive and therefore still need rules and boundaries. While harsh corrections are never necessary, an owner needs to make the rules clear while still maintaining a positive attitude. Many members of the breed only need a firm tone from their owner when they do something wrong, and then they can be redirected into something more positive.

Sloughis have a short, smooth coat that was developed for hot climates and tend to get cold in cooler weather. Investing in a warm dog coat for them to wear on chilly days is essential. On the upside, grooming the Sloughi is a breeze! Although they are large, it takes no time at all to do a quick brush down on these dogs, and they also tend to keep themselves fairly clean. These are traits that they share with their close relatives the Saluki and the Azawakh, although while the three breeds look similar, are entirely separate from eachother.

The Sloughi is generally a quiet dog, although he will bark when he feels it is necessary. Most of the time, he would rather take a nap on the couch or a fluffy dog bed – this breed loves warmth and coziness! He’s not, however, a big fan of hugs. Tending to be touch-sensitive, excessive cuddling with people is not his favorite pastime. He is also sensitive to stress and negative emotions of humans, and does best in homes where things are calm and quiet – like him. If he gets stressed, he may become a problem chewer.

Photo By Benutzer:Claggi at the German language Wikipedia

The Saluki is an ancient sighthound breed originating in the middle east. While not a rare breed here in America, this elegant and aristocratic breed is still fairly uncommon. This is not necessarily a bad thing as they have very a very distinct personality and have unique needs. They are not the breed for everybody! A person who is interested in acquiring a Saluki would do well to educate themselves before buying – these dogs live for a long time and are therefore a big commitment. Fourteen years is average, with some reaching fifteen or even seventeen!

Like all sighthounds, Salukis have a very high prey drive. They will chase anything they see, especially if it is small and furry. If they can catch it (and they often can), they will kill it. Some owners might appreciate having their yard rid of rodents and small animals… other people might not want to find the bodies of dead critters in their yard. It all depends on the person’s perspective. The Saluki’s great speed, while awe-inspiring, also means that they are hard to catch if they get away (35 mph is their average speed). A fenced yard is a must! When not enclosed in a safe area, they need to be on a leash. They also do not do well in homes where people leave the front door wide open on a regular basis.

Despite these special considerations, Salukis are gentle and ever-faithful. While independent, they will love you until the day that they die. They show their affection in subtle ways and are not “in your face” about it, which means that they devoted without being obnoxious. Most enjoy just being near their people without being on top of their people. This means that they make better couch companions than oversized lap dogs. And yes – couches and beds are appreciated by Salukis. Creatures of comfort, they prefer soft beds to hard floors – especially if the area is raised up so they can “perch”.

Salukis are easy to groom and tend to keep themselves clean. They don’t normally have very much “doggie odor” and shed very little hair. Brushing them once a week is normally sufficient, although the feathers (long areas of the coat) should be brushed a few times a week. Salukis actually come in two varieties – feathered and smooth. Smooth dogs don’t have any long hair on their bodies and require even less work. A bath once a month or so will do, depending on the dog and his environment.

When it comes to training, many owners tend to get frustrated. Salukis can be trained, but they are very independent and will usually not respond in the same eager fashion as the herding or working breeds. Furthermore, they can be harder to teach reliable recalls when distractions (in the form of small running animals) are around. One word that is often used to describe the breed is “sensitive”. A trainer must keep this in mind and be careful not to frighten the dog in the course of training. While excessive force should never be used to train a dog, Salukis have lower thresholds to corrections than many other breeds. 

Crate training is recommended for every breed, but it must be stated that Salukis should not be crated all day, every day. While this is not ideal for any dog, Salukis really need to be able to stretch their legs out. This large breed is not very active indoors, but they are still good-sized dogs with long legs that need enough room to walk around and play. A studio apartment isn’t going to cut it. Salukis should ideally also have a fenced yard that they can run in, or a nearby fenced area that they can be taken to on a regular basis. In addition to this, they need to be given daily walks.

Salukis can be sensitive to anesthesia and other drugs. It is very important that the vet have knowledge and experience with the breed, or at very least have knowledge of treating sighthounds. Otherwise, the breed is very healthy and hardy, which is why many of them live such a long lifespan. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death and usually happens because of advanced age. Being hit by a car is actually another leading cause of death, which is obviously not health related at all and shows how important it is to keep them in a fenced area!

This breed is very sensitive in nature and they need to live in quiet households that aren’t usually too busy. They prefer people who are as reserved and polite as they are. The same goes for strangers – if they are greeted by a loud or enthusiastic new person they might shy away. It is best if they come up to the stranger, rather than the stranger coming to them. Owners are highly recommended to socialize young puppies with as many people as possible to keep the dog from growing up excessively fearful. Salukis are not recommended for families with young children as they are often too sensitive to the rough handling of toddlers.

Salukis are very quiet and don’t bark often, although some will occasionally howl and sing for short periods of time. This means that they aren’t great watchdogs and they definitely are not natural guard dogs!

Salukis can be picky eaters although a healthy Saluki should still have visible ribs. Contrary to popular belief, some breeds are naturally very skinny! Their fast metabolisms served them well while living in the harsh deserts. They evolved to become fast sprinters and hunters, while not requiring tons of food to keep them in good hunting condition. They are listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest dog, so their lithe frame clearly helps rather than hinders!

The Borzoi was developed in Russia to hunt down wolves, and as such, the breed possesses speed and power in their graceful frames. Despite being a giant breed, adults are surprisingly light on their feet and extremely well-mannered in the house. Puppies, on the other hand, are more destructive and can take a long time to grow into the dignified adults they will eventually become. Softly affectionate, they are gentle and loyal to their families and slightly reserved with strangers.

These Russian sighthounds are extremely quiet – while they are physically able to bark, they do so very sparingly. This makes them great house companions, but also means that they do a poor job at being watchdogs. A home intruder might never even know that a dog is in the house. Furthermore, if someone were to break in, many Borzoi would happily welcome the stranger into the home, before going back to bed. Territoriality is not a strong trait in this breed.

Exercise is very important – particularly running. Borzoi were bred to sprint very fast for short periods of time, and they need to be able to do this at least once a day. A fenced yard with enough room to run is a necessity. And yes… fencing is 100% necessary. High prey drive combined with high speed means that this breed is also at high risk of dashing away and getting hit by a car. A good owner will always make sure their Borzoi is secure by fence, or by leash when out on a walk. Keeping them safe is the most notable part of exercising a Borzoi – they don’t particularly need a lot of it, it just needs to be done with care. As long as that need is satisfied, the breed is extremely low-key inside of the house and doesn’t have a ton of energy. They are known for being fantastic couch potatoes!

The Borzoi is very independent, and prefers to make his own decisions rather than listen to his owner. This can lead to stubbornness in some dogs. It is nonetheless important to give him structure through obedience training. While not always easy to train, patience and persistence will go a long way. Most Borzoi are actually quite smart and can really learn to love training if the trainer knows how to make it enjoyable. Motivation is key, as well as keeping the sessions short and interesting for the dog.

Borzoi don’t tend to eat vast quantities of food like some other giant breed dogs due to their lower energy. It is important, however, to remember that the breed is prone to bloat. Bloat is a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach fills with air and then flips around, trapping the air inside. While there is no complete preventative for bloat, it is recommended that dogs are not allowed to exercise right before or after they eat. This cuts down the chances of bloat.

As might be guessed from their fairly long coats, the Borzoi does shed – some quite excessively! Brushing the coat out regularly will help, but will not stop the problem completely. A good brushing and combing should be done two or three times a week, which will also help to stop mats from forming. A coat that has been neglected can quickly turn into a very tangled mess which will be painful to remove from the dog. A good grooming routine needs to be put into place and strictly followed so that does not happen.

Borzoi can get along with children, but do best with older kids rather than younger. They are very sensitive and cannot tolerate rough treatment of any sort. When it comes to other pets, they generally tend to do well although some can have problems with cats and smaller dogs. While some Borzoi never have a problem, others (those that have extremely high prey drives) see these smaller creatures as prey. Still other Borzoi are ok as long as the cat/tiny dog are inside, but as soon as the other pet goes outside and starts rushing around, that prey drive kicks in.

The Ibizan Hound is an ancient sighthound breed with a particularly unique temperament. They are soft-tempered and sensitive, yet have a love of life and desire for adventure. Many are described as clowns or jesters – they delight in making people laugh with their oddball antics! They can also be slow to mature and retain puppy mischievousness for a longer time than other breeds, although they aren’t normally incredibly destructive or in-your-face. Most of the time, Ibizans are actually very polite – which may fool you when they pull pranks on you! Finally, although they are independent in character, they do desire to be with their people. They prefer to be in the room with their owner most of the time, but not necessarily in the middle of the action.

Unlike many other sighthounds, the “Beezer” (as he is affectionately refered) does enjoy using his voice! The breed doesn’t bark non-stop, and probably wouldn’t be classified as a nuisance barker, but compared to his almost-silent relatives he can be quite noisy. This makes him a great watchdog because he will alert to anyone coming to the door. He also might bark if he’s excited, hungry, and occasionally if he has found something to chase outside. The Ibizan was bred to hunt in packs, and vocalizing on the hunt was a desired feature! Many members of the breed have a very deep, very loud bark that can be quite intimidating.

Ibizans come in two coat types – smooth and wire. While smooth coats are always very short, wire coats may be short (sometimes called broken) or slightly longer (up to 3 inches long). Both coat types are considered very easy to take care of, although each variety does shed moderately. They are particularly clean dogs that don’t normally seek out dirt and mud like some other breeds. When they do get dirty, their coats tend to repel dirt (not completely, but mud does tend to dry and fall off rather than getting worked into the coat).

Beezers can be quite active. It’s no surprise that this breed (one of dogdom’s highest jumpers and fastest runners) needs plenty of daily exercise! Because of their amazing Houdini abilities, they need to be allowed to run only in areas that are securely fenced. Six feet is considered the minimum height for a fence with an Ibizan, as many can clear six feet easily if they so desire! Another note about fences – the Ibizan Hound has a very high prey drive and will often chase anything that moves. Their chase instinct is so hard-wired that they will “forget” any training they’ve had and ignore their owner calling for them to come back. For this reason, it is vital that they never be let off-leash in an unfenced area.

The breed is incredibly smart and learns quickly, however some have a hard time with formal obedience. They prefer to do things their own way, and might question the relevance of the commands being taught. A mixture of stubbornness and sensitivity means that a trainer must walk a fine line while working with an Ibizan. These dogs might completely ignore a trainer that has no follow-through, yet shut down at a harsh correction. A tip – take advantage of their excellent problem-solving abilities and create engaging puzzles for them to solve! Try to incorporate those puzzles into training sessions to keep them engaged! Remember that this breed was bred to work independently from people and therefore may be a challenge.

An Ibizan is expected to be aloof when meeting strangers, although some members of the breed can be shy or scared. Fearfulness is not a desirable trait but unfortunately does crop up in certain lines. They are good with children, especially if raised with them. Because this breed can be sensitive, older children are a better match for this breed than younger ones. They are also normally very good with other dogs, and many are fine with cats (if raised with them, and if cats are indoor-only). Rabbits, rats and other small pets might be interpreted as prey. Beezers will probably leave them alone if they are caged, but if the small animal is out of the cage all bets are off!

These sensitive souls make horrible kennel dogs and absolutely need to be inside with people! Not only do they need the companionship, but their naturally low body weight and single coat means they get cold very easily. They also need (and enjoy) access to couches, cushions or blankets. They can adapt to living in an apartment, but only as long as their owner can take them out (a lot) for exercise. While getting out and stretching their legs is a necessity, these dogs will also spend a good portion of their time chilling out inside the home.

Some Beezers can become excellent counter-surfers and their great dexterity means that they are able to leap up onto the counters themselves! Many Ibizan owners are surprised to see their dogs on counters, tables, and occasionally even on top of a fridge! A bit of behavior modification may be necessary to curb this problem if it comes up. Female Ibizans, in particular, tend to be very food-oriented! Males can be picky about food, and may go through low-appetite stages while young.

The Greyhound is best known as “that skinny racing dog”, but their history is long and proud. A large hunting hound, the Grey was bred to chase down a variety of game. Their very strong prey drive combined with their incredible speed makes them a formidable foe to small animals! Despite their intense hunting instinct, this breed is actually incredibly calm and gentle with people. Not overly affectionate, this breed probably won’t shower you with affection – but they will love you nonetheless. They are friendly towards strangers and often don’t even bark. Some members of the breed can be timid or shy, and need to be eased into new situations.

Although generally good-natured with children, they are not recommended in houses with rowdy or rough kids. They have a delicate sensibility that echoes their delicate frame. Their feelings can get hurt just as easily as they could get bumped or scratched by a clumsy child. While some will just walk away, others might nip if they feel they are in danger. While not normally an aggressive breed at all (they make horrible guard dogs), they can react automatically and instinctively if they are surprised or hurt.

In the house, the Greyhound is fairly unassuming and takes up little space. This said, they do enjoy spreading out over the couch or the bed – and will use their long bodies to take up all of the furniture space that they can! Their tails might also cause problems… they have been known to knock objects off of coffee tables as they walk around. To a certain extent, Greys that are in an exuberant mood will be more likely to swish things off of tables. Calm and composed Greyhounds tend to keep their tails slightly tucked under their bodies and out of “harm’s way”. One other by-product of the Greyhound’s unique build… he may take advantage of his tall frame and long neck and become an expert counter-surfer!

When it comes to energy level inside the house, many Greys are about as lazy as you can get. Sleeping, lounging and napping are favorite pastimes. They save up all of that energy for quick bursts of speed outside – and then it’s time to come back in for another nap! It helps to have a large fenced yard for your Greyhound to sprint around in once he’s recharged. Most humans can’t jog fast enough to allow these dogs to reach full-speed otherwise. Walks/jogs are recommended too, of course, but are not a substitute for sprinting time. This provides a bit of a dilemma… Greyhounds are outstanding dogs for apartments, but they need a fenced yard. Apartment-dwellers need to find a substitute fenced area to make the situation work.

Unlike certain other dog breeds, the Greyhound is naturally skinny and lean. In fact, if you cannot see his ribs, he is overweight and might even be at risk for heart issues! These dogs have fast metabolisms which means that their natural set-weight is supposed to be low. In terms of care, it is important to provide soft blankets and padding for them to lay on. A Grey could develop pressure sores if he is constantly laying on hard floors or surfaces. The low body fat and thin coat also means that this is not a breed to be left outside for long periods of time – they are not well-suited to extremes of temperature, especially the cold.

Greyhounds love the company of other dogs and often live happier lives when they have a canine companion. Some members of the breed have issues with separation anxiety and have a hard time being home alone. Another dog can help with this problem. Note: smaller breeds might trigger the chase instinct in especially-gamey dogs. At best, constant supervision could be required. At worst, the Grey could end up hurting the smaller dog. While some Greyhounds do just fine with the little guys, take it on a case-by-case basis. If worried, go with a breed that is at least medium-sized. As might be expected, cats and other small pets are often also not compatible.

A fenced yard is an absolute necessity because of the Grey’s high prey drive and ability to run very far, very fast! Especially if chasing an animal, a Greyhound will often “turn deaf” to the cries of his owner yelling at him to come back. Not that it is impossible to train a Grey on a recall… but it will take a LOT of practice. Once you throw in a “level 10” distraction (such as a rabbit), the majority of Greyhounds will not come back to their owners if called. They have been bred for hundreds of years to ignore everything but the chase. Hence, the importance of a fence!

When it comes to training, the Greyhound is cat-like and independent. Many are stubborn and don’t want to go along with it unless there is something in it for them. As such, they need a lot of motivation, patience and consistency. It’s not that the breed is dumb… in fact, they are highly intelligent and sensitive animals! However, you will only get results if you put in the work! Owners who take the time to motivate and train their Greys often find a deeper connection between their themselves and their dog. Take note – harsh corrections will get you nowhere in training with this breed. Greyhounds are far too sensitive for that type of training.

Photo By Flickr user Clearly Ambiguous (Scott Robinson)

The Afghan Hound is truly one of the most breathtaking dogs in existence today, yet do not let his dainty appearance deceive you… he can also be a fierce hunter! Originally bred to hunt both large and small game, his prey drive is strong and needs to be accounted for at all times. Owners of Afghans cannot simply let their dogs off-leash whenever they feel like it, for the appearance of a squirrel or a cat will almost certainly cause the dog to take chase! With the ability to run at high speeds, an Afghan can be out of sight within seconds, putting them in danger of being hit by a car. Owning this breed means one must be responsible – high prey drive + swift movement + independent nature can equal disaster if not controlled. A tall fence is a must!

The Afghan was bred to make decisions on his own, without the help of people, and so this is what he does! Often classified as unintelligent by the naive, this sighthound is actually incredibly clever… at getting what he wants. He is not the go-to breed when it comes to obedience, however he may astound you when it comes to trickery and inventiveness. This said, it is possible to train and even compete with an Afghan in obedience! The trick is to find ways to keep the dog motivated and having fun, while avoiding harsh techniques that will almost inevitably cause him to shut down.

The breed has a distinctive cat-like personality that can best be described as aloof. Their affection is subtle and often reserved for special occasions. This said, some Afghans have goofier temperaments than others and quite enjoy clowning around. Temperament depends on genetics as well as upbringing, although females more likely tend to be aloof than males. Afghans may be shy around new people, which is normal. Fear or aggression, on the other hand, is not normal. Because they are extremely quiet, they aren’t likely to make the best watchdogs – nor will they take it upon themselves to defend the house.

Afghan Hounds are most comfortable in homes which are stable and quiet, and in which they aren’t left alone for long periods of time. They definitely prefer familiarity to surprise. Young children that run around causing a ruckus aren’t normally the best match for most Afghans. This breed can get along with kids, although older kids are a far better match.

Grooming is an absolute necessity with these long coated dogs! An owner should expect to spend 2-3 hours a week tending to grooming needs. Coats that are not kept brushed out (to the skin) will mat and can become real disasters! It can take hours to fix a coat that hasn’t been taken care of correctly, and sometimes it will need to be shaved off completely and allowed to grow back in. Regular baths are also needed in order to keep the coat free of dirt and grime which can then break the hair off. Many Afghans are bathed every week in order to keep up the coats!

Exercise is also very important in the care of the Afghan Hound, although they may not need as much as you might think. Afghans are sprinters which means they will give it their all for a short bit… and then come inside to rest. This is why access to a fenced area is so important – they really need to get out and run! Walks are important as well, but most Afghans would prefer a sprint in the yard to a more structured walk. With many sighthounds, walks are great for training, socialization and bonding while yard-sprinting is great for exercise. In some situations – such as with apartment living – extra walks will need to take the place of running, although it is best to find a fenced area to take the dog on a regular basis.

Afghans generally get along very well with other dogs without much “squabbling”. This may be because they were occasionally hunted in packs and therefore tend to ignore other dogs. Their mostly-gentle nature with other canines, however, usually doesn’t hold over with small animals. Cats, birds, hamsters and other small pets are often looked upon as prey. If the animal is running freely, it is even more likely that the Afghan will go after it. The instinct to chase, catch and kill is very hardwired in the breed.

Photo By SheltieBoy

The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest among dogs. Like all sighthounds, this breed needs to be given frequent opportunities to run. Because of his great size, he needs a lot of room to really be able to get up to full speed! Since he has a very high prey drive, whenever he is off-leash he needs to be inside a safely fenced area. No invisible fences for this breed either – he will just run straight through it before he even knows what he’s done.

Despite his formidable size and slightly intimidating name (yes, he was bred to kill wolves), the Wolfhound is the epitome of a gentle giant. Few breeds are as relaxed and calm in everyday life. It is only when he is chasing prey (or cats, or plastic bags, or…) that his personality really shifts into overdrive. When inside the house, he can often be found lounging around his “people”. He requires owners that understand his sensitive nature and can provide a relatively laid-back living environment. Irish Wolfhounds need to live indoors – the size of the house doesn’t matter – but a big yard or access to a fenced area is a necessity.

Although running free is their favorite activity, Wolfhounds also benefit from long walks. They can become lazy if not taken out, so it is up to their owners to keep them well exercised! The breed is known for adjusting their activity level to that of their owner, so a sedentary owner can make a sedentary dog. Ideally, both human and canine can benefit from a daily walk to keep in shape!

When it comes to watch dog or guard dog abilities, the Wolfhound usually falls short. He will not usually alert to a stranger at the door, nor will he care too much if an intruder breaks in. He is generally trusting of most people. This said, his sheer size might be enough of a deterrent for an intruder who has started to invade. As might be surmised, he is also not a good choice for patrolling a property.

Wolfhounds are good with children of all ages, although it is recommended to supervise adolescent puppies around very young children. Like most puppies, Irish Wolfhounds can be clumsy but exuberant. Unlike most puppies, they can weigh upwards of 50 pounds and unintentionally hurt a toddler while trying to play. Never let any age of child try to “ride” this breed – it may result in a painful back injury.

The breed gets along great with other dogs although his size may make him intimidating for some. He is not an aggressive dog by nature and will rarely start a fight. Although capable of being gentle with cats, some Wolfhounds prove dangerous to them. This is a hunting breed with a high prey drive and will chase most things that move. Genetics combined with how the puppy (and cat) are raised will determine whether or not they can live together.

The height of an Irish Wolfhound starts at 30 inches tall (measured at the withers) for a small female. Males average 34-35 inches tall and can get even taller! It is important to note, however, that height is not everything! Extremely big hounds sometimes end up with health issues and may be more prone to arthritis. It is important to consider all factors when buying a puppy or adult dog – not only expected size.

These wire-coated sighthounds do eat a lot of food – especially while growing. Big dogs are more expensive than their smaller counterparts in many ways! Sadly, big dogs also do not live as long. The average lifespan of the Irish Wolfhound is 6-8 years.

Wolfhounds can be fast learners with obedience training, but their independent nature also means they don’t perform the same way that a Lab or a Golden might. They were bred to work for people but not really with people, unlike the sporting or herding breeds. Furthermore, although they may know a command they might take a bit longer to actually enact that command! Wolfhounds have been known to be destructive (they can chew up whole pieces of furniture if so inclined), although training can help to curb this problem and is highly recommended. Digging and counter-surfing are also popular activities with the breed – and can be helped with obedience training.

Photo By Sylvie Saulue/Design Madeleine