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Collection of 11 sighthound breed illustrations. The aim was to capture differences in both common and rare sighthound breeds. The project includes the well known breeds such as Greyhound, Glago and Whippet, the less known Borzoi and Silken Windhound and also the rare or local breeds such as Xigou, Hortaya Borzaya, Magyar Agar, Sloughi, Taigan and Chart Polski.
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The champion sprinter and object of fascination for many artist throughout the history, the essence of “form follows function “, greyhound is all that and more. This sighthound breed doesn’t need very much of introducing as it’s one of the most known representatives of this group.
Galgo is sometimes called Spanish Greyhound even though their lineage and appearance is different than of the English/Irish Greyhound.
Another sighthound similar in appearance to the Greyhound is Chart Polski. This powerful hound almost died out after the World War. It remains a very rare breed with only a few specimens left in Poland and Ukraine.
Magyar Agar, sometimes called “Hungarian Greyhound”, is an original hunting breed from Hungary. It distinguishes itself from Greyhound by its heavier bone structure, shorter and wedge shaped head and denser coat.
This traditional working sighthound was developed within the Eurasian Steppe, north of Black Sea hundreds of years ago and spread to Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan later on. Hortaya Borzaya might be similar to a Greyhound in overall appearance although their head resembles more that of a Borzoi. They have been used in rural areas to hunt food rather than for sports and are rarely seen in the cities or outside of its countries of origin.
Sloughi otherwise known as the Arabian Greyhound is Saluki and Greyhound look alike but should not be confused with it.
This ancient coursing hound was bred to hunt variety of game in North African deserts.
Their big and dark eyes are often described as melancholy.
This ancient coursing hound was bred to hunt variety of game in North African deserts.
Their big and dark eyes are often described as melancholy.
The Whippet might look similar to the Greyhound especially in pictures, however this breed is in reality significantly smaller in size making it easy to recognise from the Greyhound.
The Shanxi Xigou is a rare sighthound breed from China. Xigou ancestors date back to the Tang Dynasty in 685 AD.
One of the typical physical characteristics that differentiate the Xigou from other similar sighthounds is an unusual roman “ram’s head”. This head is one of the two usual types and is less preferred, however, common enough to use as a distinguishing feature.
One of the typical physical characteristics that differentiate the Xigou from other similar sighthounds is an unusual roman “ram’s head”. This head is one of the two usual types and is less preferred, however, common enough to use as a distinguishing feature.
Borzoi with their luxurious long and silky coat belong amongst the most beautiful and aristocratic dogs, often described as a calm package of strength, grace and elegance with cat like attitude. People new to this breed might refer to Borzoi as the long haired Greyhound.
Silken Windhound is American small to medium sized Sighthound with silky coat. It’s often confused with a Borzoi or Silken Windsprite, however it is smaller in size than Borzoi and slightly different in appearance and temperament than the European Silken Windsprite.
Taigan (Kyrgyz Taighany) is a versatile sighthound from alpine regions of Kyrgyzstan. It resembles and is also related to more known Saluki.
I hope this project shows some of the differences between sighthound breeds as well as introduces some of the less known group representatives. The series doesn't include some of the other well known breeds like Saluki, Afghan Hound, Italian Greyhound, Scottish Deerhound and Irish Wolfhound but they are on the list of future canine projects.
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