What are Sighthounds?

Long legs, longer naps and a stare that can spot a squirrel from three fields away. Here's what actually makes a sighthound a sighthound, and who's in the family.

Not your average dog.

Sighthounds are a group of dog breeds built for speed, elegance, and spotting things before you do. Unlike their sniffy cousins (we see you, Beagles), sighthounds rely on their exceptional vision and lightning-fast reflexes to chase prey across open land.

This fabulous family includes Greyhounds, Whippets, Salukis, Lurchers, Borzois, Irish Wolfhounds, and a few more long-legged wonders. They come in all shapes and sizes, but the trademark sighthound look is hard to miss: Long limbs, narrow heads, deep chests, and soulful eyes that could convince you to share the sofa, the bed, and possibly your dinner.

They’re not for everyone. But for the right person, they’re life-changing.

The Sight Bit

A dog with light brown fur and shaggy hair sitting on a black quilted blanket, looking at the camera with a soft expression. There is a beige bone-shaped chew toy near its front paws. In the background, part of a washing machine, kitchen cabinets, and a potted plant are visible.

Most dogs hunt with their noses. Sighthounds hunt with their eyes. They're built to spot movement at a distance and close the gap in a handful of strides, rather than follow a scent trail for hours. That's the whole point of the shape: long legs for a huge stride, a flexible spine that works like a spring, a deep chest to house a big heart and lungs and a narrow head built for keen vision rather than a powerful nose.

That same head shape gives many sighthounds an unusually wide field of vision, so your hound will tend to notice things (a bag blowing across a car park, a cat three doors down) long before you do. It's a brilliant party trick. It's also why recall around livestock or wildlife needs proper thought.

Types of Sighthounds

  • A greyhound dog with a decorative collar sitting on a couch with a blanket.

    Greyhound

    The OG of the sighthound world. Greyhounds are elegant, affectionate and surprisingly lazy for a dog that can outpace a motorbike. Most rescue greyhounds come from the racing industry, so they’ve got their own quirks and care needs.

    Don’t be surprised if they’re scared of stairs, cling to you like Velcro, or try to nap in the fridge. They’re weird, quirky but absolutely adorable.

  • A dog wearing a red and blue harness and jacket sits on a red and white striped couch. There is a framed Guinness Stout poster and a small Christmas tree in the background.

    Lurcher

    Not a breed, but a type. Lurchers are usually a cross between a sighthound (like a greyhound or whippet) and something else – often a terrier, collie or staffie. This makes them a bit of a lucky dip, in the best possible way.

    They can be scruffier, more playful, and sometimes a bit more energetic than their greyhound cousins. Lurchers are common in rescue centres across the UK and Ireland and are just as charming (and just as capable of outrageous lounging).

  • Close-up of a Whippet dog with alert ears and expressive eyes against a neutral background.

    Whippets

    Whippets are basically pocket-sized greyhounds with heaps of sassiness and Mariah levels of demands. Still speedy, still snuggly, just a bit smaller and often a bit more energetic.

    Some whippets are more sensitive or vocal than greys, but many of the same quirks apply. Coats in winter. Soft beds. Strong prey drive. Zero concept of personal space. Might end up demanding more cuddles than they deserve.

  • Dog in white shirt sitting on a couch

    Salukis

    The royal divas of the sighthound world. Salukis are graceful, gentle and often aloof. They’re stunning to look at, but not always the easiest to train or read.

    If a greyhound is a sleepy uncle, a saluki is the slightly mysterious cousin who only visits when it suits them. Think Cleopatra crossed with Beyonce and a dash of madness.

  • Whippet dog wearing a green sweater near a fireplace.

    Italian Greyhound

    Teeny tiny sighthounds that look like they’ve been drawn by a fashion illustrator after a few too many…erm. Italian greys (or Iggies), are dainty, delicate, charming and completely bonkers.

    They’re also always cold and will try to climb in under your clothing or covers (depending where you might be). They need warmth, attention and an understanding of their diva energy.

  • A pig with a curly tail standing by a wire fence in a grassy field with trees and mountains in the background.

    Borzoi, Wolfhound, Deerhound, Afghan and Co.

    These are the giants (and glam-rockers) of the sighthound world. Less common in rescue, but no less enchanting.

    Some have long flowing coats, some resemble deer in pyjamas, all share that same sighthound combination of grace, sensitivity and occasional goofiness.

Greyhound lying belly up on a fluffy blue rug indoors.

What makes them so weird different

They’re not just skinny – their physiology is truly unique. It affects everything from the type of collar they need, to how they react to anaesthetic, to the fact that they might sleep with their eyes open.

They’re also low maintenance in some ways and high maintenance in others. They need warmth, soft bedding, and extra care with their skin and teeth. They don’t usually need hours of exercise – just a good walk and a comfy spot to loaf in.

Sighthounds aren’t for everyone, and that’s just the way they like it. But if you’re smitten with their quirky ways, low-maintenance coats, and hearts of gold, you’re in good company here. We’re a little bit obsessed, and this site is our love letter to the long dogs who’ve trotted their way into our lives (and onto our beds).

The Sighthound Superpowers

  • Simple drawing of a steaming poop icon

    Speed

    A greyhound can hit 45mph in a few strides. Most of them, however, would prefer not to.

  • Outline of a star with a check mark inside

    Grace

    Even at rest, they carry themselves with a kind of quiet elegance. Until they flop off the sofa mid-roach.

  • Outline of person shrugging with question mark on chest

    Sleep

    Greyhounds are fast. For about four minutes a day. The rest of the time, they are Olympic-level nappers.

  • Icon showing three people with speech bubbles containing a heart, thumbs up, and plus sign.

    Lurchers

    Depending on what your hound is crossed with, you’re either nodding here or disagreeing!

Myths & Misconceptions

What people think they know about sighthounds… and what’s actually true.

  • Nope. Greyhounds and many other sighthounds are world-class sprinters, not marathon runners. They're more ‘one zoomie, three naps’ than ‘hike every hill in Ireland’. Most are perfectly happy with a couple of short walks a day, and the occasional burst of dramatic galloping.

  • They're actually the best house dogs. Even better in apartments as they won’t need to bother with the stairs! Quiet, clean, polite, and unnervingly good at doing nothing at all. Greyhounds in particular were practically designed for domestic life: minimal shedding, rarely bark, and they somehow take up all of the sofa with just one leg.

  • It depends. Some sighthounds have a strong prey drive (especially if they’ve been encouraged to chase in training), but many can live happily with cats, small dogs, and even rabbits, with proper introductions and patience. It’s not a no, it’s a let’s see.

  • Bless. These dogs are basically skin, bone, and drama. Without much body fat or a thick coat, sighthounds hate the cold and will 100% judge you if they’re not wearing a fleece. Or two. Unless, of course, they’re mixed with a hardy breed such as a terrier or collie. Get to know your dog and then make a decision.

  • Oh, they’re clever. Selective, stubborn, and sometimes too clever. These dogs just don’t see the point in doing things that aren’t fun, comfortable, or treat-related. They’re problem-solvers, especially when the problem is: how can I get that snack without moving too much?

  • Nope. While many greyhounds in Ireland and the UK are bred for racing, there are also non-racing greyhounds, lurchers (sighthound mixes), and whippets who’ve never set paw on a track. Each one’s story is different, but they all deserve soft landings and a lifetime of cuddles (at a time of place of their choosing, of course).

  • The racing industry loves what these dogs can do, not who they are. Many are discarded once they’re no longer fast enough. Injuries, abandonment, and neglect are heartbreakingly common. That’s why we’re here: to give them a future beyond the finish line.

  • Send us your favourite sighthound myth via the Contact Page, and we’ll add it to the list (with a side of sass).

Why We Say ‘Ex-Racer’ Instead of ‘Rescue’

We use the phrase ex-racer because it’s clear – it tells people where the dog came from and what they were bred to do. But make no mistake, our greyhounds are rescues.

Not all of them are formally “retired.” Many don’t get that far. Some never make it to the track at all. Others are discarded the moment they’re no longer useful. If they didn’t race or course, chances are they were used for underground racing, lamping, dog baiting, or simply passed between owners with no stability, structure or care.

In Ireland especially, many sighthounds are bred with no intention of ever seeing a licensed track. That doesn’t make their experience any less traumatic – or their need for rescue any less urgent.

So we say ex-racer for clarity. But we always mean rescue.

Because rescuing a greyhound isn’t about giving them a comfy retirement. It’s about giving them a second chance.