Greyhounds are usually quite large. However, here is a list of the 15 smallest sighthound breeds worldwide:
The size of a dog is measured with the so-called “height at the withers”. Colloquially, this means shoulder height – i.e. from the floor to the transition from neck to back.
In addition, female greyhounds are usually slightly smaller than male variants. Some breeds have quite big differences here, while others don’t.
1. Podengo Portuguese: 20-30 cm
The Podengo Português originated in Portugal. Its status as a “greyhound” is disputed, however, as it does not hunt solely by its speed and sight.
It is also available in three different sizes. The smallest species is also the smallest sighthound breed worldwide:
- Small: 20-30 cm, 4-6 kg
- Medium: 40-54 cm, 16-20 kg
- Large: 55 – 70 cm, 20 – 30 kg
In addition, they are considered to be very friendly, intelligent, and outgoing. The four-legged friends can also live up to 17 years and run at speeds of up to 50 km/h.
Fun Fact: It’s perfectly normal for these little greyhounds to have their hair sticking out in all sorts of directions. Women would probably call this a “bad hair day”.
2. Peruvian Hairless Dog: 25 – 40 cm
The Peruvian hairless dog not only comes from Peru but is also the national dog there. It is also available in three different sizes:
- Small: 25-40 cm, 4-8 kg
- Medium: 40-50 cm, 8-12 kg
- Large: 50 – 60 cm, 12 – 25 kg
The small greyhounds were once used primarily as a living hot water bottle in winter. This also explains why dog associations only partially count them among the “greyhounds” group.
In addition, the name is somewhat misleading. Although they are referred to as “ hairless dogs ”, they sometimes have a full coat.
Fun Fact: In many cases, these dogs have a small patch of long white fur on their foreheads. It makes you look like a four-legged punk.
3. Italian Greyhound: 33 – 38 cm
With a body weight of between 3.6 and 5 kg, the Italian greyhound is the lightest sighthound breed in the world. It’s also only available in this size.
Unlike the previous two breeds, their status as sighthounds is undisputed. In addition, they need a lot of attention and love.
The latter also explains why they make excellent family dogs. With a lifespan of up to 15 years, they are also one of the longest-lived breeds in the world.
Fun Fact: While normal dogs take around 4-6 months to become housebroken, the process for these little greyhounds can take up to 2 years.
4. Podenco Ibicenco: 35-42 cm
The Podenco Ibicenco has its origins on the Spanish island “Of Ibiza”. With a top speed of up to 64 km/h, it is also the fifth fastest sighthound.
As wild and playful as the four-legged friends may be outside, inside they are usually absolute couch potatoes. It is also available in three different sizes:
- Small: 35-42 cm, 8-11 kg
- Medium: 40-50 cm, 8-12 kg
- Large: 50 – 60 cm, 12 – 25 kg
In addition, small greyhounds are considered independent, intelligent, and stubborn. They are also suitable for apartments and make good family dogs.
Fun Fact: These dogs are so emphatic that they will remember any behavior that makes their master laugh. Then they repeat it until they no longer evoke a reaction – a born clown!
5. Basenji: 41-43cm
The Basenji comes from Central Africa, where it is still used today as a hunting dog. With an age of 4,000 BC, it is also one of the oldest dog breeds in the world.
With a body weight of between 10 and 12 kg, they are also the fifth smallest greyhound breed. However, its status as a “greyhound” is also disputed.
In addition, the four-legged friends are very difficult to train, curious, and playful. They also rarely get along with other dogs.
Fun Fact: These little sighthounds are the only breed in the world that can’t bark. But they are absolute experts in yodeling.
6. Cirneco dell’Etna: 46-60 cm
The Cirneco dell’Etna comes from Sicily. With a body weight of between 10 and 12 kg, it is the 6th smallest greyhound breed in the world. However, its status as a sighthound is disputed.
Statistically, however, the four-legged friends are among the 20 most unpopular dog breeds. Part of the reason is that the animals have a reputation as the “poor man’s dog”.
In addition, they are considered to be very trusting, friendly, and gentle. They are therefore not only ideal as family dogs but also suitable for first-time owners.
Fun Fact: These little greyhounds sometimes have some white fur on their chests. Since this is very rare, these specimens are often sold at up to 500% more expensive.
7. Silken Windhound: 46-60cm
In Germany, the Silken Windhound is also known as the “silk greyhound” because its fur is particularly soft. It also has the special feature that it keeps you cold even in summer.
Originally, the small greyhounds were primarily used for hunting. Nowadays, however, they are mostly used as family dogs because they get along very well with children.
In addition, they can run up to 40 mph and get along well with other pets. They are also considered to be very trusting and friendly.
Fun Fact: Due to its long coat, the Silken Windhound is often kept for experimental purposes by amateur hairdressers.
8. Whippet: 47-51cm
The Whippet comes from England and only weighs 12 to 15 kg when fully grown. Despite his size, he can also run at speeds of up to 56 km/h.
Since greyhounds used to only be accessible to the nobility, the whippet was considered the “greyhound of the poor”. The small greyhounds also freeze very quickly.
The dogs are best known for their calm, friendly, and gentle nature. As long as a garden is available, they are also suitable for apartments.
Fun fact: Whippets occasionally suffer from a gene mutation, giving the otherwise scrawny dogs abnormally large muscles.
9. Podenco Canario: 53-64cm
The Podenco Canario has its origins in the Canary Islands. In its homeland, it is also used to this day for hunting rabbits.
With a body weight of between 20 and 25 kg, it is also ranked 9th among the smallest greyhound breeds. However, some canine associations question its status as a “greyhound”.
In addition, the four-legged friends are considered to be very friendly, calm, and playful. They can also be used as a guard dogs and are ideal for first-time owners.
Fun Fact: While other small greyhounds sleep up to 18 hours a day, the Podenco Canario only needs a few hours of sleep a day. So get ready for a bouncing guest in bed.
10. Pharaoh Hound: 56 – 64 cm
The pharaoh hound comes from Malta, where it is mostly used for hunting rabbits. Because they also use their nose to hunt, their status as a sighthound is disputed.
They also have a very strong hunting instinct, are easy to train, and don’t like the cold. They are also considered to be very active, sociable, and playful.
However, small greyhounds are more likely to react aggressively toward dogs of the same sex. They also bark comparatively much.
Fun Fact: Once this breed has picked up a scent while hunting, they pursue it tirelessly. Not even an electric fence can stop them.
11. Thai Ridgeback: 56-61cm
At around 45 km/h, the Thai Ridgeback is the third slowest sighthound breed in the world. He is also considered to be particularly loyal, protective, loving, and familiar.
In addition, he is an expert in escaping. Apparently, no fence seems to be high enough or stable enough to stop the clever four-legged friends.
Small greyhounds are also ideal family dogs. They don’t like cold weather or humidity at all. And this is despite the fact that there is a long rainy season in their homeland.
Fun Fact: This breed has an elongated patch of fur on its back that grows in the opposite direction. That also explains the name “Ridgeback”.
12. Rampur Hound: 56-76cm
Native to India, the Rampur Hound can see at an angle of 270°. Combined with their speed, this makes them ideal hunting dogs.
In addition, he is known for his curious, sociable, and loyal nature. It is also considered to be very easy to care for and is even suitable for apartments.
It is questionable whether one can still speak of “little greyhounds” here. Although they are 12th among the smallest breeds, they still grow up to 76 cm.
Fun fact: In a full sprint, these four-legged friends are completely in the air more than half the time.
13. Saluki: 58-71 cm
The Saluki has its origins in the Middle East and is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. He is also easy to train and has a very strong hunting instinct.
With a size of 58 to 71 cm, they are also in 13th place among the smallest greyhound breeds. Incidentally, its top speed is a whopping 69 km/h.
Despite their size, they live up to 17 years. In addition, they are very persistent and are known to be calm, gentle, and alert.
Fun Fact: When it comes to roosting, these sighthounds are particularly picky. Alas, it is not particularly warm and cuddly!
14. Rajapalayam: 60-65 cm
The Rajapalayam comes from India, where it is mostly used for hunting wild boar. It also once served as the guard dog of the Indian royalty.
Since he is very pale, he is also often referred to as the “Indian ghost dog”. Incidentally, his puppies are considered particularly cute because they are initially deaf.
There can be no talk of “little greyhounds” here either. However, compared to all other breeds, they rank number 14 among the smallest sighthounds.
Fun Fact: These dogs come standard with a pink nose. Depending on age and temperature, the color can be more intense or paler.
15. Central Asian Tazi: 60-72 cm
The Central Asian Tazi originated in Kazakhstan. To this day, the dogs are still used there as companions for hunting wolves.
However, with fewer than 300 specimens worldwide, these small greyhounds are threatened with extinction. These dogs are not only very fast, but also very enduring.
In addition, they are considered to be very alert, trusting, playful and loving. These qualities also make them ideal family dogs.
Fun Fact: Because of their rarity, these greyhounds come at a price. In fact, you could buy around 47 horses in India for the same money!
Size of all Greyhound Breeds
| Greyhound Breed | Size Male | Size Females |
|---|---|---|
| Podengo Português (small) | 20-30cm | 20-30cm |
| Peruvian hairless dog (small) | 25-40cm | 25-40cm |
| Italian greyhound | 33-38cm | 33-38cm |
| Podenco Ibicenco (small) | 35-42cm | 32-41cm |
| Peruvian hairless dog (medium) | 40-50cm | 40-50cm |
| Podengo Portuguese (medium) | 40-54cm | 40-54cm |
| Basenji | 41-43cm | 38-41 cm |
| Podenco Ibicenco (medium) | 43-53 cm | 42-52cm |
| Cirneco dell’Etna | 46-52 cm | 42-50cm |
| Silken Windhound | 46-60cm | 46-60cm |
| Whippet | 47-51 cm | 44-47 cm |
| Peruvian hairless dog (large) | 50-65cm | 50-65cm |
| Podenco Canario | 53-64 cm | 46-56 cm |
| Podenco Ibicenco (big) | 54-64 cm | 53-61 cm |
| Podengo Português (big) | 55-70cm | 55-70cm |
| Pharaoh Hound | 56-64 cm | 53-61 cm |
| Thai Ridgeback | 56-61 cm | 51-56 cm |
| Rampur Hound | 56-76 cm | 56-76 cm |
| Saluki | 58-71 cm | 58-71 cm |
| Rajapalayam | 60-65cm | 55-60cm |
| Central Asian Tazi | 60-72cm | 55-60cm |
| Combai | 61-66 cm | 61-66 cm |
| Galgo Espanol | 62-70 cm | 60-68cm |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | 63-69 cm | 61-66 cm |
| Kanni | 64-74 cm | 64-74 cm |
| Azawakh | 64-74 cm | 60-70 cm |
| Chortay | 65-75cm | 61-71 cm |
| Magyar Agar | 65-70 cm | 62-67 cm |
| Taigan | 65-82cm | 55-65cm |
| Chippiparai | 65-68cm | 61-64 cm |
| Sloughi | 66-72 cm | 61-68cm |
| Mudhol Hound | 68-72 cm | 64-68cm |
| Afghan Hound | 68-74 cm | 60-69cm |
| Chart Polski | 70-80cm | 68-75 cm |
| Greyhound | 71-76 cm | 68-71 cm |
| Patagonian greyhound | 71-84 cm | 66-76 cm |
| Borzoi | 75-85cm | 68-78cm |
| Deerhound | 76-81cm | 71-76 cm |
| Irish wolfhound | 81-89cm | 76-86 cm |