What are you looking at? A guide to common sighthound breeds in the UK.
Greyhound or lurcher? Whippet or Italian greyhound? And what is a Saluki? Read our handy guide to some of the different types of greyhounds you might come across, and whether you’re looking at a pedigree greyhound, or a different dog entirely…
Slim, fast, affectionate… greyhounds are popular family dogs, who can adapt to a mix of home environments, with gentle temperaments and soulful eyes. But how can you tell your greyhound from your lurcher, or your Italian greyhound from your whippet? They’re all members of the sighthound family, after all… Let’s take a look.
Will that be a small, medium or large?
The greyhound
Let’s start at the top, with the greyhound. Originating in North Africa, and bred for racing, these sleek, larger sighthounds make beautiful pets to adopt. Known as the 45mph couch potato, despite being the fastest dog on the planet, they’re timid in nature, prefer short walks, and lots of sleepies and snuggles. Many greyhounds are happy in an apartment and don’t need masses of outside space. Males may be larger than females, yet are often the calmer characters, so when it comes to finding your perfect greyhound, think soul, not size…
How to spot a greyhound:
- Large size
- Very affectionate and snuggly – huge couch potatoes!
The whippet
Next up, the whippet. A medium-sized, popular pedigree, whippets were originally bred in England and weigh in at roughly half the size of a racing greyhound. Recognised for their whip-like tail, many presume they’ll make an easier pet. However, whippets have high energy and need significantly more exercise, in the form of long walks, more than once a day. They’re good family pets, although can be a little stubborn, and as for any dog, thorough training is required. They’re not as fast as greyhounds, but can claim the title of being the fastest accelerator… Frequent award-winners, whippets have won Best in Show at Crufts four times.
How to spot a whippet:
- Medium-sized
- Very active, lots of stamina
The Italian greyhound
Small but perfectly formed, the pint-sized Italian greyhound is often confused with the whippet, but once you see the stats, the differences are clear. The Italian greyhound is the smallest, and officially a member of the toy category. Originally of Roman heritage, these curious and cheeky dogs can be a little delicate but have lots and lots of energy to burn. Not to be confused with their slightly larger cousin, the whippet, although the winner of Best in Show at Crufts 2025 was a whippet – hailing from Italy!
How to spot an Italian greyhound:
- Toy size
- Delicate in stature, but full of energy
The lurcher
Things are about to get a lot hairier… The common misconception is that lurchers are a hairy breed of greyhound, but in fact, they’re greyhound cross-breeds. Common crosses are with other sighthounds like Salukis (aka ‘the Persian hound’) or whippets, or sometimes with herding dogs like terriers and collies. Anything goes! Characteristics will depend entirely on what’s in the mix. Lurchers may need a little more grooming than a greyhound and if mixed with a collie or terrier, there is more chance of boredom and destructive behaviour, so extra mental stimulation, toys and exercise might be required.
How to spot a lurcher:
- It depends on what’s in the mix!
One thing all greyhound breeds have in common is their popularity as family dogs, their gentle characters and of course, their speed. But if you’re looking for a natural born cuddler with low exercise needs, a retired greyhound could prove to be your perfect companion.
Red, white… and even blue.
All the colours of the greyhound.
Greyhounds of every shape and size are known for their low-maintenance, short-haired coats. There’s a remarkable range of beautiful colours and markings out there, from red, white and blue, to brindle!
One thing all greyhound breeds have in common is their popularity as family dogs, their gentle characters and, of course, their speed. But if you’re looking for a natural born cuddler with low exercise needs, a retired greyhound could prove to be your perfect companion.
What is ‘brindle’?
This term refers to a pattern, rather than a colour. Sometimes described as ‘tiger-stripes’, brindle means brown and tawny colours with streaks of other colours, but perhaps a little more subtle than a big cat’s!
Spot the difference!
Greyhounds usually have one solid colour across their body, which could be black to white and all colours in between. They may also sport a different colour across their chest and face ‘mask’.
Whippets come in lots of different colours and patterns, including brindle, cream, fawn, grey, black and blue, and possibly with a different colour from forehead to nose.
Italian greyhounds can be one colour or a mix of two, including cream, fawn, grey, red, chocolate, black or blue. Their masks are commonly black, sometimes with a colour ring on their muzzle.
One thing’s for sure, when it comes to finding your greyhound, always do your research and leave all your preconceptions at the door. Often a larger ex-racer will be more of a home body than a small pedigree, and a large male calmer than a smaller female. A big dog doesn’t necessarily mean a big house, and a small dog doesn’t always equal a small apartment… look for that perfect connection that only you (and your greyhound) can sense. And if you choose to adopt a retired greyhound, the feel-good factor is an added bonus!
Think you know greyhounds? Let’s bust a few myths…
You may also be interested in
Ready to adopt guide
Greyhound tips for around the home
