Greyhounds are usually quite large. However, here you will find a list of the 15 smallest greyhound breeds worldwide:
- #1 Podengo Português: 20 – 30 cm
- #2 Peruvian Hairless Dog: 25 – 40 cm
- #3 Italian Wind Chime: 33-38cm
- #4 Podenco Ibicenco: 35 – 42 cm
- #5 Basenji: 41 – 43 cm
- #6 Cirneco dell'Etna: 46 – 60 cm
- #7 Silken Windhound: 46 – 60 cm
- #8 Whippet: 47 – 51 cm
- #9 Podenco Canario: 53 – 64 cm
- #10 Pharaoh Hound: 56 – 64 cm
- #11 Thai Ridgeback: 56 – 61 cm
- #12 Rampur Hound: 56 – 76 cm
- #13 Saluki: 58 – 71 cm
- #14 Rajapalayam: 60 – 65 cm
- #15 Central Asian Tazi: 60 – 72 cm
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 junction of the neck and back.
In addition, female greyhounds are usually slightly smaller than the male variants. For some breeds there are quite large differences, for others there are none. [1]
>> Our top recommendations
#1 Podengo Português: 20 – 30 cm
The Podengo Português has its origins in Portugal. However, its status as a “greyhound” is controversial because it does not hunt solely through its speed and vision.
It is also available in three different sizes. The smallest species is also the smallest greyhound breed in the world:
- Small: 20 – 30 cm, 4 – 6 kg
- Medium: 40 – 54 cm, 16 – 20 kg
- Large: 55 – 70 cm, 20 – 30 kg [2]
In addition, they are considered very friendly, intelligent and sociable. The four-legged friends also live up to 17 years and can run up to 50 km/h. [3]
Fun fact: It is completely normal for these little greyhounds to have their hair sticking out in all sorts of directions. Women would probably describe this as 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 [4]
The small greyhounds once served primarily as a living hot water bottle in winter. This also explains why dog associations only partially include them in the group of “greyhounds”.
Furthermore, the name is a bit misleading. Although they are referred to as “naked dogs”, they also sometimes have a full coat of fur. [5]
Fun fact: In many cases, these dogs have a small patch of long white fur on their forehead. It makes you look like a four-legged punk.
#3 Italian Wind Chime: 33-38cm
With a body weight of between 3.6 and 5 kg, the Italian greyhound is the lightest greyhound breed in the world. They are also only available in this size. [6]
Unlike the previous two breeds, their status as a sighthound 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. [7]
Fun fact: While it takes around 4-6 months for normal dogs to become house trained, for these small greyhounds the process 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, he is also the fifth fastest greyhound.
No matter how wild and playful the four-legged friends may be outside, they are usually absolute couch potatoes inside. It also comes 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 [8]
In addition, the small greyhounds are considered independent, intelligent and stubborn. They are also suitable for apartments and make good family dogs. [9]
Fun fact: These dogs are so empathetic that they memorize any behavior that makes their master laugh. They then repeat it until they no longer elicit a reaction – a born clown!
#5 Basenji: 41 – 43 cm
The Basenji comes from Central Africa, where it is still used as a hunting dog today. 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 sighthound breed. However, its status as a “greyhound” is also controversial. [10]
In addition, the four-legged friends are very difficult to train, curious and playful. They also rarely get along with other dogs. [11]
Fun fact: These small greyhounds are the only breed in the world that cannot bark. 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 greyhound is controversial. [12]
Purely statistically, however, the four-legged friends are among the 20 most unpopular dog breeds. This is partly because the animals have a reputation as “poor people’s dogs”.
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. [13]
Fun fact: These small greyhounds sometimes have some white fur on their chests. Since this is very rare, these copies are often sold for up to 500% more.
#7 Silken Windhound: 46 – 60 cm
The Silken Windhound is also called “silk windhound” in Germany because its fur is particularly soft. It also has the special feature of keeping 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. [14]
They can also run at speeds of up to 40 mph and get along well with other pets. They are also considered very trusting and friendly.
Fun fact: Because of its long coat, the Silken Windhound is often kept by amateur hairdressers for experimental purposes.
#8 Whippet: 47 – 51 cm
The Whippet comes from England and only weighs 12 to 15 kg when fully grown. Despite its size, it can also run up to 56 km/h. [15]
Since Greyhounds were previously only available to the nobility, the Whippet was considered the “Greyhound of the poor”. The little greyhounds also freeze very quickly.
The dogs are best known for their calm, friendly and gentle nature. As long as there is a garden available, they are also suitable for apartments. [16]
Fun fact: Occasionally, a genetic mutation occurs in Whippets, causing the otherwise scrawny dogs to develop abnormally large muscles.
#9 Podenco Canario: 53 – 64 cm
The Podenco Canario has its origins in the Canary Islands. In his homeland he is still used to hunt rabbits to this day. [17]
With a body weight of between 20 and 25 kg, it is also the 9th smallest greyhound breed. However, some dog associations question its status as a “greyhound”.
In addition, the four-legged friends are considered very friendly, calm and playful. They can also be used as guard dogs and are ideal for first-time owners.
Fun fact: While other small greyhounds sleep up to 18 hours per day, the Podenco Canario only needs a few hours of sleep per day. So be prepared for a guest jumping in bed.
#10 Pharaoh Hound: 56 – 64 cm
The Pharaoh Hound comes from Malta, where it is mostly used for hare hunting. Because they also use their noses when hunting, their status as sighthounds is controversial. [18]
In addition, they have a very strong hunting instinct, are easy to train and do not like the cold. They are also considered very active, sociable and playful.
However, small greyhounds are more likely to react aggressively towards dogs of the same gender. By the way, they also bark comparatively a lot. [19]
Fun fact: As soon as this breed picks up a scent while hunting, they pursue it tirelessly. Not even an electric fence can stop them.
#11 Thai Ridgeback: 56 – 61 cm
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 familial. [20]
He is also an expert at escaping. Apparently no fence seems to be high enough or stable enough to stop the clever four-legged friends. [21]
The small greyhounds are also ideal family dogs. However, they don't like cold weather or humidity at all. And this despite the fact that there is a long rainy season in their homeland.
Fun fact: This breed has an elongated piece of fur on its back that grows in the opposite direction. This also explains the name “Ridgeback”.
#12 Rampur Hound: 56 – 76 cm
The Rampur Hound is native to India and can see at an angle of 270°. Combined with their speed, this makes them ideal hunting dogs.
He is also known for his curious, outgoing and loyal nature. It is also considered 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 the 12th smallest breed, they can still grow up to 76 cm tall. [22]
Fun fact: When sprinting, these four-legged friends are completely in the air more than half of 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. [23]
With a size of 58 to 71 cm, they are also the 13th smallest sighthound breeds. Your 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 considered calm, gentle and alert. [24]
Fun fact: When it comes to sleeping space, these greyhounds are particularly picky. Woe betide you, it's not particularly warm and cozy!
#14 Rajapalayam: 60 – 65 cm
Vbala0733 & Vbala0733, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Rajapalayam comes from India, where it is mostly used to hunt wild boars. He also once served as a guard dog for the Indian monarchy.
Because he is very pale, he is 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 are the 14th smallest sighthound. [25]
Fun fact: These dogs have a pink nose by default. Depending on age and temperature, the color may be more intense or paler.
#15 Central Asian Tazi: 60 – 72 cm
The…