The phrase
"sighthound breed" refers to a specific type of dog breed that is known for its exceptional sight and speed. Sighthounds are dogs that rely on their eyesight to hunt and chase prey, rather than using their sense of smell like most other hunting dogs. These breeds are often slender and long-legged, allowing them to run very fast. Some examples of
sighthound breeds include Greyhounds, Afghan Hounds, and Salukis.
Full definition
For example, according to the Orthopedic Foundation of America, the hip dysplasia rate is about 6 % in Afghan Hounds, but less than 3 % in
other sighthound breeds.
While participation is strictly for purebred
sighthound breeds only, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has a similar Coursing Ability Test that all breeds can take part in.
Azawakh is an
ancient sighthound breed that has lived for thousands of years with the cattle breeding nomads of the south Sahara in Africa.
The Scottish Deerhound is a large and
majestic sighthound breed of ancient origins - historians believe that Deerhounds were bred to hunt deer even before Roman times.
Lure Coursing:
Eligible sighthound breeds can compete in lure coursing events that measure their speed, endurance and agility in chasing a mechanized lure.
Akbash Dog genetics may derive from a combination of molosser and
sighthound breeds since they possess characteristics of both types.
This type of ear is seen in
many sighthound breeds and some traditionally cropped breeds may have rose ears if the ear is left natural.
American Kennel Club: AKC Breeds by Group — Hound Utah Sighthound Racing and Coursing Club:
Sighthound Breeds Maine Coonhound Rescue: What Is a Coonhound?
Veterinary Partner: Lure Coursing for
Sighthound Breeds American Kennel Club: Getting Started in Beagling Veterinary Partner: Beagle, Basset Hound, and Dachshund Field Trials
The Sighthound Underground SHUG works internationally to
rescue sighthound breeds, flying dogs to the U.S. for medical care and foster homes.
This is probably the youngest of
all sighthound breeds.
Bred by working class families in England's mining districts to hunt rabbits for the stewpot and provide entertainment at weekend races, the elegant Whippet is the youngest of
the sighthound breeds.
The Greyhound is
a sighthound breed that is renowned for its incredible speed, making it well - suited for dog racing and hunting game.
They are
a sighthound breed that originated in England, where they descended from greyhounds.
As the name suggests, the Afghan Hound is
a sighthound breed that established itself in the mountains of Afghanistan (via Sinai) as a hunter, herder and watchdog.
The American Kennel Club and the individual breed clubs of
each sighthound breed offer titles for coursing dogs.
Coursing is a long established hunting technique, practiced historically with greyhounds, other
sighthound breeds, or with lurchers which are crossbred sighthounds, and working breeds.
The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of
the sighthound breeds.
The MDR1 gene mutation is generally found in many herding breeds,
some sighthound breeds and many mixed - breed dogs.
The Afghan is
a sighthound breed.
Sighthounds Afield: The Complete Guide to
Sighthound Breeds & Amateur Performance Events (With a Comprehensive Chapter on Adopted Ex ‐ Racing Greyhounds)
Hip and elbow dysplasia are less common in Afghan Hounds compared to most other large breeds... but more common in Afghan Hounds compared to other
sighthound breeds.
The elbow dysplasia rate is about 7 % in Afghan Hounds, which again is higher than other
sighthound breeds.
This is
a sighthound breed that is also popular for hunting and coursing, though it can also be kept as a companion pet.
Only
sighthound breeds are allowed to compete in trials.
She is currently licensed to judge
all sighthound breeds in lure coursing.
The origin of Gazehounds: The Search for Truth was Constance Miller's diatribe against what she perceived as lies, myths, and distortions about the origins of
the sighthound breeds.
All of
the sighthound breeds have a complex, independent personality, something like that of a cat.