The 12 Most Popular Tall and Skinny Dog Breeds in 2024

Written by Nixza Gonzalez
Updated: July 5, 2023
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Although English greyhounds are racing dogs, they aren’t hyperactive, especially in retirement. Instead, this dog breed is known for its calm nature.

Dogs are great friends. They are active, sweet, charming, and have unique personalities. Did you know there are over 200 dog breeds in the world? Technically, this number is up for debate as dog breeds vary depending on the organization. For example, the World Canine Federation recognizes about 350 dog breeds, while the American Kennel Club registers 200 dog breeds. These numbers are constantly changing as new dog breeds are developed. Today, we are going to dive into the 12 most popular tall and skinny dog breeds. Follow along to discover fun facts about each.

1. Irish Setter

The first tall and skinny dog breed on our list is the Irish setter. This breed originates from Ireland. The first recorded setter was described in 1570 in Caius’s De Canibus Britannicus. The dog breed, however, described in the record isn’t the Irish setter we know today. Instead, it’s likely an extinct local setting spaniel. These dogs were mainly white with red markings. Now, Irish setters have long and red beautiful coats.

Irish setters have beautiful coats that need frequent brushing. They are tall dogs that stand at about 24 to 28 inches. Although they are tall, these dogs only weigh about 65 to 75 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, something only weighing 55 pounds. 

Irish Setter panting while laying outside

Irish setters weigh between 55 to 75 pounds. Female Irish setters are slightly smaller.

©iStock.com/Wavetop

2. English Greyhound

English greyhounds are very tall and skinny. They are best known as racing dogs and have long faces and bodies. Although these amazing dogs are wonderful racers and hunters, they make even greater pets. With the right training, patience, love, and care, English greyhounds can be loving to both humans and other pets. Although English greyhounds are racing dogs, they aren’t hyperactive, especially in retirement. Instead, this dog breed is known for its calm nature.

English greyhounds have been around for a long time. In modern Syria, 4,000-year-old remains of a greyhound/saluki dog were found. Although the origin of this pet is debated, it may have originated with the Celts from Eastern Europe or Eurasia.

So, just how tall and skinny are these dogs? English greyhounds are about 28 to 30 inches tall. They have long and slender builds and can weigh about 55 to 75 pounds. Other than their size and form, English greyhounds range in color. Currently, at least 30 color forms are recognized in this dog breed.

greyhound standing tall on path outside

English greyhounds are a very tall and skinny dog breed. They make great pets.

©iStock.com/Natalia Timchenko

3. Saluki

The next tall and skinny dog breed on our list is the Saluki, which is sometimes confused with a greyhound. Both are quick dogs with a similar history, so it’s not surprising. Saluki dogs are sighthounds that have been around for 6,000 years. They were likely bred in the Fertile Crescent. Many similarly shaped dogs were depicted in ancient Egyptian and Chinese art as well. This dog breed though, didn’t make its way to England until 1840 and they were lumped together with the Sloughi breed.

Although most commonly referred to as the Saluki, this dog breed is sometimes also called the gazelle hound, Persian greyhound, and Arabian hound. These dogs are very tall, often compared to small horses. They can reach about 28 inches tall and weigh between 35 to 70 pounds.

Saluki standing in an open field

Saluki dogs are tall, but only weigh about 35 to 70 pounds.

©Elisabetta Bellomi/Shutterstock.com

4. Sloughi

Yet another sighthound on our list of tall and skinny dog breeds is the Sloughi. It is often confused for the Saluki, but those dogs have smoother and longer coats. Sloughi dogs originate from North Africa. They have mainly existed in Tusnia, Morrocco, and Algeria. Another name for this beloved dog breed is the Arabian Greyhound. 

In some parts of North Africa, Sloughis are used for their hunting abilities. However, they are popular pets in North America. Although this dog breed has been around for ages, it was only recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2016.

Sloughis are very lean dogs. They are about 24 to 29 inches tall and 28 to 33 inches long. Their weight varies between 40 to 63 pounds. 

Fastest Dogs: Sloughi

Sloughis are very lean dogs measuring about 24 to 29 inches tall.

©iStock.com/slowmotiongli

5. Silken Windhound

You may have noticed that many of the breeds on this list are sighthounds. This next one isn’t an exception. The silken Windhound is an American sighthound. Compared to other sighthounds, this breed is considered small to medium. The breed stands at 18.5 to 23.5 inches.

Silken Windhounds began in Austin, Texas, when Francie Stull bred Borzoi and Lurcher bloodlines in 1985. The dog breed was recognized a few decades later in 2011 by the United Kennel Club. Although a fairly young dog breed, silken windhounds perform in many shows and competitions worldwide.

Silken Windhound

Silken Windhounds are about 18.5 to 23.5 inches tall, making this dog a popular tall and skinny breed.

©tzuky333/Shutterstock.com

6. Ibizan Hound

Another notable popular tall and skinny dog breed is the Ibizan hound. Although these dogs aren’t the tallest or largest in the world, they are skinny, lean, and fast. Ibizan hounds are athletic and best known for their tall, upright ears. There are two main coat types, smooth and wirey. These beautiful dogs have a fairly recent history and have DNA from many types of dogs.

The height for this dog varies, but most Ibizan hounds are 22 to 29 inches tall. They also weigh about 45 to 65 pounds. Ibizan hounds have brown amber eyes and red and white coats. These competitive dogs make great pets for the right owners. They love people and make great watchdogs.

Ibizan Hound standing posed to perfection

Ibizan hounds are 22 to 29 inches tall and weigh about 45 to 65 pounds.

©Sally Wallis/Shutterstock.com

7. Pharaoh Hound

Pharoah hounds are Maltese hunting dogs. They are beautiful and known for having red soft coats. These hunting dogs were traditionally used for rabbit hunting. Despite its English name, this dog breed isn’t ancient and has no origin in Egypt. Instead, it’s a recent breed from rural Malta. This beautiful dog breed has spread throughout the world and is now very popular. The first little born outside of rural Malta was in the United Kingdom in 1963.

This elegant dog breed is noble and very intelligent. Adult pharaoh hounds are about 21 to 25 inches tall and weigh between 45 to 55 pounds. Some pharaoh hounds, however, weigh less than 40 pounds.

Most Expensive Dog Breeds: Pharaoh Hound

Pharoah hounds are

Maltese

hunting dogs measuring about 21 to 25 inches tall.

©Eudyptula/Shutterstock.com

8. Whippet

Who doesn’t love whippets? These goofy, aloof, intelligent, and unique-looking dogs are very lovable. They make great pets as long as you have the space, patience, and time for training. Whippets are one of the smallest tall and skinny dog breeds on our list. Whippets closely resemble greyhounds, but greyhounds are larger. These adorable long and skinny dogs are great runners and the fastest runners in their weight category.

Whippets have been around since before the 19th century, but they were different from the beloved dogs we know today. There were two types, the type with the smooth coat is the modern whippet we know today.

Just how large are these tall dogs? Like other dog breeds, females are slightly smaller and stand at about 17.5 to 18.5 inches, while males can reach up to 20 inches tall. Whippets weigh about 20 to 45 pounds.

Whippet (Canis familiaris) - standing side by side in woods

Whippets weigh about 20 to 45 pounds and are one of the smallest tall and skinny dog breeds.

©Liliya Kulianionak/Shutterstock.com

9. Doberman Pinscher

Doberman pinschers, also known as Dobermans, are tall, muscular, and large dogs. Dobermans have a recent history. They were first bred by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann in Apolda, Thuringia, Germany in the 1880s. It didn’t take long for this adorable and athletic dog to grow in popularity. While Karl Dobermann first bred this dog, it was perfected by Otto Goeller in the 1890s. Not a lot is known about the creation of this dog breed. For example, the mixtures and ratios are uncertain.

Dobermans vary in size and appearance. These large and skinny dogs are about 27 to 28 inches tall. Females, however, are sometimes as short as 25 inches. Dobermans have square frames. The weight of this dog varies, but the ideal weight for a female Doberman is between 71 and 77 pounds, while males are 88 to 99 pounds. 

Doberman Pinscher pair

Doberman pinschers are about 27 to 28 inches tall.

©Jenson/Shutterstock.com

10. Vizsla

Vizslas are unique dogs originating from Hungary. They are playful, energetic, and very affectionate. A common nickname for this dog breed is the “Velcro” dog since it’s very attached to its owners. These dogs are very loyal and easy to train. Vizslas are tall and skinny with minimal health problems. Their official history begins in 1357 with the first written record of the Vizsla dog breed.

Multiple times this dog breed faced near-extinction and yet managed to survive. Vizslas, despite their long history, were only recognized by the American Kennel Club, starting in 1960. Females are slightly smaller than male Vizslas, but it’s hardly noticeable. This dog breed can range between 21 to 25 inches tall and weighs about 40 to 66 pounds.

vizsla running on beach with frisbee

Vizslas are very loyal dogs often referred to as “Velcro” dogs because of their affection.

©iStock.com/Ksenia Raykova

11. Azawakh

Another tall and skinny dog breed is the Azawakh. These long-legged dogs originate from West Africa. They are named after the Azawagh Valley. This slim dog breed has deep almond-shaped eyes and a soft and smooth coat. With how slim this dog breed is, you can see its bone structure. It’s most similar to the Saluki with its flat muscles. Azawakh dogs have red, white, fawn, and ‘blue’ coats with minimal to no hair on their bellies.

Male dogs typically reach about 25 to 29 inches, while female Azawakhs are about 24 to 28 inches tall. Although this dog breed is tall, they weigh very little. They can weigh anywhere from 33 to 44 pounds. This dog breed isn’t very popular in North America or Europe but is growing in popularity.

Most Expensive Dog Breeds: Azawakh

The Azawakh is a long-legged dog breed originating from West Africa that weighs up to 44 pounds.

©otsphoto/Shutterstock.com

12. Borzoi

The Borzoi, also known as the Russian Hunting Sighthound is a large Russian hunting dog previously used for wolf hunting. It was previously referred to as the Russian Wolfhound. If you believe the Borzoi looks a lot like the Saluki, it’s likely because this dog breed was created by breeding the Saluki with other local Russian thick-coasted breeds. Fun fact, this dog breed was very popular in the early 1900s. So popular, that you couldn’t buy the Borzoi, only gift it to the Tsar.

Like the other dogs on this list, the Borzoi is very tall. It typically grows up to 30 to 33 inches tall. The weight also varies. A Borzoi can weigh between 60 to 105 pounds. They come in all coat colors and have long, thick necks.

Tallest Dogs: Borzoi

The Borzoi is a tall and skinny dog breed with beautiful silky coats.

©Grisha Bruev/Shutterstock.com

RankDog Breed
1Irish Setter
2English Greyhound
3Saluki
4Sloughi
5Silken Windhound
6Ibizen Hound
7Pharaoh Hound
8Whippet
9Doberman Pinscher
10Vizsla
11Azawakh
12Borzoi
Summary Table of the 12 Most Popular Tall and Skinny Dog Breeds

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Kseniia Kolesnikova/Shutterstock.com

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About the Author

Nixza Gonzalez is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering topics like travel, geography, plants, and marine animals. She has over six years of experience as a content writer and holds an Associate of Arts Degree. A resident of Florida, Nixza loves spending time outdoors exploring state parks and tending to her container garden.

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