in your heart? ¹
Are you looking for a breed of dog that has a long neck? Is there something about the shape of these dogs which lends them a natural elegance?
Or perhaps you have owned a greyhound in the past and you are on the lookout for a similar type of dog.
Well in this post, I will provide the lowdown on nine breeds of dogs with long necks.
Some of the breeds will be very familiar to you, whilst others will be totally unknown.
And talking of which, let’s start with one of the more exotic breeds.
[1] Basenji
Origin: Of African descent, although it can be traced back to 12th century Egypt.
Purpose: flushing out small game from undergrowth into hunters nets. Also used to control rodent populations.
Colours: red, black, tricolour and brindle
Size: 17” tall at the shoulder.
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Character: Energetic and curious, but stubborn. They tend to attach themselves to a single person. They don’t like other pets that aren’t dogs. They can climb chain link fences.
Energy levels: high
Most distinguishing feature: They don’t bark but produce a sound more like a yodel.
[2] Afghan hound
Origin: Afghanistan
Purpose: hunting large prey such as leopards
Colours: Any colour but white markings on the head are discouraged
Size: 25” at the shoulder
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Character: Gentle dogs that are great with kids but they needs lots of exercising
Energy levels: high
Most distinguishing feature: its beautiful coat which was needed for mountain living.
[3] Greyhound
Origin: bred to chase foxes and deer
Purpose: most famously known as a racing dog because they can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
Colours: White, blue, red, brindle, fawn, black
Size: 27”- 28” inches at the shoulder
Life expectancy: 11- 14 years
Character: easy going and shy. Affectionate with owners, aloof with strangers. Very quiet.
Energy levels: surprisingly low. Known to be couch potatoes.
Most distinguishing feature: their speed
[4] Borzoi
Origin: Russia
Purpose: To hunt rabbits, foxes and wolves.
Colours: red, cream, black, fawn, white brindle
Size: 27” at the shoulder
Life expectancy: 7-10 years
Character: Affectionate with family members but a dog that is too aloof to want to play!
Energy levels: Not very high, although a high prey drive will see them race after squirrels or cats in a flash
Most distinguishing feature: That beautiful coat. They are like greyhounds, with long silky coats.
[5] Pharoah Hound
Origin: Malta. Their English name is thought to come from their origins as the hunting dogs of Pharaohs: but a DNA analysis suggests that the breed isn’t that old.
Purpose: More likely they were bred to hunt rabbits in the Maltese mountains. The Maltese name for this dog literally means “rabbit dog”.
Colours: Chestnut, tan and red golden.
Size: 24”
Life expectancy: 11- 14 years
Character: These dogs seem to tick so many boxes! They are affectionate and love to play to a “crowd”. They are highly trainable and eager to please except when they catch the scent of “prey.” Good luck getting these back.
Energy level: Two twenty minute walks should be OK. But always exercise off a lead in an enclosed area.
Most distinguishing feature: There are quite few. Those ears are something else aren’t they? Pharaohs are said to “blush” when they are excited.
[6] Dachshund
Origin: Bred in Germany primarily to hunt badgers at the beginning of the 18th century. The name literally means “badger dog”.
A miniature version of the dog will hunt rabbits and mice.
Purpose: See above!
Colours: black and tan, red, cream, chocolate and tan, fawn
Coat type: smooth, wire haired or long haired.
Size: They come two sizes: standard (16- 32 lbs) and miniature (11 lbs or under.)
Life expectancy: 12 years
Character: They are bold, with very strong personalities. This can easily spill over into stubbornness. Their bark is very loud for a dog of this size. They can make a very strong attachment to one person and will not necessarily like to share this person!
Energy level: Dachshunds need a moderate amount of exercise. Running around the house just won’t cut it. Exercise will develop their back muscles and help keep weight off.
Most distinguishing feature: Long back. But, be warned. Dachshunds need to keep trim in order not to put too much strain on their backs.
[7] Italian Greyhound
Origin: Perhaps dating back as far as the 12th century, these dogs have been bred to be both lap dogs and hounds that will chase any small, fast moving prey.
Purpose: Most of these dogs are far more lap dog than hunter.
Colours: black, blue and fawn
Size: 14”, not more than 5 kg.
Life expectancy: 9- 12 years
Character: These dogs are “high maintenance” because they will shadow you everywhere and then expect to sit next to you or even on you.
Energy level: A real mixture. They are happy to lounge around but they will need a couple of short walks a day. Be wary to let them off the lead.
Most distinguishing feature: They like to perch on high surfaces, such as window sills.
[8] Whippet
Origin: Developed in England in the 19th century, although derived perhaps from “small” greyhounds dating back to the 14th century.
Bred by people who didn’t have the space or money to keep full size greyhounds.
Purpose: Catching rabbits and used as a racing dog in parts of the U.K.
Colours: 18 possible combinations on the AKC breed standard. This includes black, blue cream, Blue Brindle and Blue Fawn.
Size: 21”
Life expectancy: 12- 14 years
Character: Great companions and very affectionate with a wide range of people both familiar and unfamiliar.
Energy Level: The same as the Italian Greyhound.
Most desirable feature: They will only rarely bark.
[9] Azawakh
Origin: West Africa- Mali , Burkina Faso, Niger. Named after a valley in the Sahara.
Purpose: Chasing gazelles
Colours: Lots of colours. Red, sand, fawn, blue, black and brown.
Size: 27”
Life expectancy: 11- 14 years
Character: Wonderful with familiar people, dismissive of unfamiliar people. They can be loyal and protective.
Energy Level: Whilst they are happy lying around at home, they do need about 30 minutes of moderate exercise. And they love to chase any object that moves- from squirrels to skateboarders!
Most desirable feature: They are fiercely loyal to family members.
Closing Thoughts
Hopefully my descriptions of these nine breeds of dogs with long necks have helped take your thinking one step further.
And if you like a dog with a frightening turn of speed as well you won’t be spoiled for choice.
Or perhaps, your favourite is now a Dachshund- which is without doubt the most unique looking long neck dog on my list.
Photo Credits
¹ Photo by Artem Sapegin on Unsplash
² Photo by Edvinas Bruzas on Unsplash
³ Photo by Julio Bernal on Unsplash
⁴ Photo by Dada Mar on Unsplash
⁵ Photo by Karolina Wv on Unsplash
⁷ Photo by Erda Estremera on Unsplash
⁸ Photo by Brian Taylor on Unsplash
⁹ Photo by Mitchell Orr on Unsplash
