Top 15 Skinny Dog Breeds with Photos and Their Facts

Skinny dog breeds are no stranger to any pet owner. We commonly see them around us, but did you know that some breeds are naturally skinny? 

A few dog breeds that fall under this category are Saluki, greyhounds, Afghan hounds, and whippets. First, however, this article will explore the top 15 skinny dog breeds and their interesting facts.

There are so many breeds that belong to a skinny dogs. It is essential to know that not all skinny dog breeds are physically fit or healthy. Some can develop joint problems and bone diseases due to their size.

What is a Skinny dog?

Skinny dogs are a type of dog that is not as defined as other types of dogs. They have a thinner body and a more flexible spine. 

Generally, this makes them more prone to injury, which can cause problems for the animal. The most common problem with skinny dogs is hip dysplasia. 

Hip dysplasia occurs when there is an abnormal development in the hips of the dog. When this happens, it causes pain and discomfort to the dog.

There are many different types of dogs globally, and they all have unique personalities. For example, some dogs, such as Huskies, tend to be on the more chubby side of the spectrum. 

But some like Dachshunds tend to be on the skinnier side. Skinny dog breeds may not seem like a big deal. But their size has its benefits. 

For one, skinny dogs require less food than other breeds to reach their optimal weight, saving you money.

Tall Skinny Dog Breeds

There are many factors to consider when looking for the perfect furry friend. One of those factors is size. A dog’s body type is a topic that causes a lot of debate. 

Some people argue that tall, skinny dog breeds would be the best because they are not as heavy and are easier to move around. 

Others say that a short, small dog breed is better because it’s less likely to break its back when jumping off the couch. Does size matter?

Tall and skinny dog breeds come in various sizes and shapes. While not all are the same, they share a few common traits. 

Typically, tall and skinny breeds have long bodies with short legs. This makes them very agile and good at jumping.

Small skinny dog breeds

Many small dog breeds can be classified as “tiny.” However, we bet you don’t know all the different breeds of these small pets! 

The Corgi, Dachshund, and Pekingese are popular small breeds. So, what makes these animals so tiny? 

Well, they’re not simply smaller versions of their larger counterparts! Smaller dogs come in all shapes and sizes. For example, they may have shorter legs or longer muzzles.

However, many owners buy these dogs because they don’t want a large appetite and shed too much.

Top 10 Skinny Dog Breeds with Photo

Many people prefer to keep small, skinny breeds of dogs. Unfortunately, finding information on small and skinny dogs is not easy. This article will list some of the best tall skinny dog breeds.

1. Greyhound

Greyhound is a type of dog that has roots in the United States. People bred this dog for hunting. But Greyhounds are now mainly used for racing competitions. 

The American Kennel Club classifies Greyhounds as hounds, meaning they are sighthounds. Breeds of this type typically have long legs and slim bodies. 

They are also one of the fastest dogs on earth. Greyhound has a speed of up to 45 miles per hour within just one minute after starting to run.

However, the Greyhound is one of the best skinny dog breeds. Their color can range from black to red to white. 

They are also very good at hunting rabbits which live underground. However, experts say that these dogs must have a lot of exercise, or they will become restless.

Their lack of body fat does not allow for much energy storage. In short, Greyhound needs lots of outdoor time to be happy.

• Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
• Average Height: 27 to 30 inches
• Average Weight: 57 to 88 lbs
• Traits: Friendly, Aloof to strangers, Athletic
• Greyhound Price: $1,000-$4,000

2. Afghan Hound

The Afghan Hound is a beautiful greyhound-like animal that originated in Afghanistan. It’s unknown when humans bred them. 

But it’s believed that their ancestors were brought to Afghanistan by traders or merchants following the Silk Road.

Usually, an Afghan Hound has incredible muscular strength for its size, impressive gait, and distinctive facial markings.

With a long and silky coat, pointed muzzle, and silly personality, these dogs are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a faithful friend.

• Lifespan: 12 to 14 years
• Average Height: 25 to 27 inches
• Average Weight: 45 to 65 lbs
• Temperament: Independent, Loyal, Affectionate
• Origin: Afghanistan
• Afghan Hound Price: $600 to $1,000

3. Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound is a graceful, delicate-looking breed of dog. It was originally bred in Italy. 

They are often called the Iggy for short. The breed is so small that it is famous as “the world’s smallest dog,” weighing between 10 and 20 pounds at full maturity. 

Also, they have long, slender legs and large eyes on either side of their head.

People bred them for hunting, and had a graceful build. However, their high intelligence and independent personality can be challenging to train.

• Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
• Weight: 7 to 14 pounds
• Height: 13 to 15 inches
• Temperament: Affectionate, Athletic, Intelligent, Mischievous, Agile
• Origin: Italy
• Italian Greyhound Price: $1,000 to $4,000

4. Kanni Dogs

Kanni is another skinny dog breeds that originated in India. They love attention and exercise, even though they might be challenging to manage. 

Kanni Dogs are great for people who live in small homes or apartments, as they require little space or exercise. In addition, they can make good watchdogs due to their alerts of strangers.

Kanni Dogs is a new breed of dog that has been becoming more popular recently. They are known for being lean, thin, and agile. 

Kanni dogs have a thin layer of hair, which helps to protect them from hot climates. However, they are still one of the most intelligent dog breeds globally. 

In nature, they have several hunting instincts necessary for their country of origin.

• Lifespan: 14 to 16 years
• Weight: 35 to 49 pounds
• Height: 25 to 29 inches
• Temperament: Graceful, Agile, Protective
• Origin: India

5. Saluki

The Saluki is a slender, muscular dog with a large Greyhound and an Akita and is exclusively native to the Arabian Peninsula. Humans used this dog in hunting and herding livestock. 

Today, these Skinny dog breeds are much less common in their homeland. However, you can still find them in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.

They were trendy among the aristocratic families of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. However, Salukis became popular in Europe, North America, and South America. It is still primarily an animal native to the Middle East.

• Lifespan: 12 to 14 years
• Average Height: 23 to 28 inches
• Average Weight: 35 to 70 lbs
• Traits: Easy to train, Friendly, Playful

6. Whippet – skinny dog Breeds

Whippet is one of the most famous skinny dog breeds. Whippets are medium-sized, long-legged dogs that are famous for speed. People originally bred them to hunt rabbits and other small game. 

But now, they enjoy chasing balls or running around in the yard with their owners. Unfortunately, the average weight is 15 pounds. So they often have to be weighed in kilograms instead of pounds.

Generally, they can run at speeds of 45 miles per hour. Their sleek appearance is due to their thin body, deep chest and long back. In addition, their coat is short and smooth.

• Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
• Weight: 25 to 40 pounds
• Height: 18 to 22 inches
• Temperament: Intelligent, Affectionate, Gentle, Friendly, Lively
• Origin: England

7. Sloughi skinny dog breed

The Sloughi is one of the common skinny dog breeds. That originated in North Africa and is also known as ‘Berber Greyhound.’

Sloughi means “fast” in Arabic, and this breed lives up to its name. Sloughis are famous for their high energy and agility. 

Therefore, it makes them excellent hunting companions or family pets. Humans have been using this skinny dog for centuries and it may have been crossed with the Saluki to create a long-legged Sloughi.

• Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
• Weight: 30 to 50 pounds
• Height: 24 to 29 inches
• Temperament: Intelligent, Graceful, Reserved, Noble, Alert
• Origin: Morroco

8. Ibizan Hound

The Ibizan Hound is a slender dog breed originally from the island of Majorca. Usually, they are famous for their long, luxurious coats and beautiful tan skin. 

However, people bred the Ibizan Hound to hunt rabbits and small animals. Unfortunately, the breed was nearly ruined due to a rabies outbreak in 1894. 

The remaining ones spread around Spain and France, but now they are famous worldwide as pets.

In nature, Ibizan Hound is one of the skinny dog breeds. However, this dog has a strong hunting instinct and loves to run. 

Ibizans get along well with other animals and children of all ages. However, they have a moderate exercise requirement and need plenty of mental stimulation. 

But it is essential to know that this breed is not for everyone because it can be challenging to train and have a high prey drive.

• Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
• Average Height: 22 to 29 inches
• Average Weight: 44 to 50 lbs
• Temperament: Trainable, Playful, Loyal

9. Pharaoh Hound

The Pharaoh Hound is a medium-sized dog that originated from the Middle East. They are loyal to their owners and bark at strange people near their homes. 

People use these skinny dog breeds as hunting dogs because of their acute sense of smell and agility.

The Pharaoh Hound has an average height of 17 inches and weighs between 55 and 60 pounds. 

You should need regular grooming, bathing, and exercise for these dogs.

The Pharaoh Hound is an intelligent and loyal breed that loves children and adults. These dogs enjoy being around people and stay happy.

• Lifespan: 11 to 14 years
• Average Height: 21 to 25 inches
• Average Weight: 44 to 55 lbs
• Temperament: Energetic, Playful, Easy-to-train

10. Azawakh

If you are looking for an incredible dog, look no further than the Azawakh. Unlike most Skinny dog breeds, the Azawakh is not someone to be overlooked. 

However, it is one of the fastest dog breeds and can jump up to 8 feet in height. They will even go after the locals’ livestock if they can. 

This skinny dog originates from Africa and needs a lot of space to provide its high activity levels.

Their striking black and white coat can be deceivingly appealing to some people. But they need a lot of exercises. Therefore, you cannot keep them as house pets.

• Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
• Average Height: 23 to 27 inches
• Average Weight: 33 to 55 lbs
• Temperament: Affectionate, Playful, Adapts to apartments well

11. Doberman Pinscher

The tough-looking Doberman Pinscher is a strong, intelligent, and agile medium-to-large dog. The Doberman pinscher breed was developed in Germany in the late 1800s for protection work. 

They are known for their calm demeanor and high intelligence. Known for being fearless, Dobermans are quite capable of defending themselves against dangerous animals with their large teeth.

Fiercely solid and muscular, the Doberman Pinscher is one of many skinny dog breeds people love to show off. However, as one of the more aggressive dog breeds, you should adequately train them to avoid accidental attacks on humans or other animals. 

It can be challenging to train this dog. But this breed will grow to be a loyal companion with enough patience.

12. Irish Setter

The Irish Setter is a medium-sized, red-brown Skinny dog with a long coat. It has a distinctive “mane” on its neck, consisting of long fur hanging down on both sides. 

Unfortunately, this breed is sometimes mistaken for the look-alike Red Setter. Still, the Irish Setter has less hair on its head and chest, while the Red Setter has more.

However, the Irish Setter has an even temperament and is one of the most popular skinny dog breeds for families with children due to its tolerant nature. 

Irish Setters are high-energy dogs that need plenty of outdoor exercises to keep them happy.

13. Silken Windhound

The Silken Windhound is a breed of sighthound developed in the 1960s in England. This breed originated from crossbreeding Wolfhound and the Great Pyrenees. They are gentle, calm, loyal, and very social with humans.

However, these dogs have a unique temperament that differentiates them from other breeds. Their fur is silky and needs minimal grooming. 

Some of their other unique features are their almond-shaped eyes. These are typically blue or gold, and their slender body with an average height of 16 inches.

• Lifespan: 12 to 20 years
• Weight: 22 to 55 pounds
• Height: 18 to 24 inches
• Temperament: Affectionate, Familial, Friendly, Playful
• Origin: United States

14. Borzoi

The Borzoi is a rare and elegant dog breed that belongs to the hound family. But you should not confuse other dog breeds in this family, such as the slender and tall Weimaraner. 

Generally, you can identify Borzoi by its long back and silky coat. Also, you should brush them daily. 

This breed is often shy and will not respond to strangers in nature. They are a lean and elegant breed with a well-proportioned head and a long, flexible body.

15. Dachshund

Dachshund is one of the most popular small skinny dog breeds. They are famous for their long bodies and short legs. 

They were originally bred in Germany as an all-purpose hunting dog, capable of going badger hunting, fox hunting, rabbit hunting, and hare hunting. Dachshunds are descendants of dogs from the Molosser type breeds.

Benefits of owning a skinny dog

The benefits of owning a skinny dog are vast. Beyond the physical aesthetic appeal of these breeds, thinner dogs are typically lighter in weight. 

Therefore, it has an assortment of benefits for its owners. Weight is typically considerably less when compared to larger breeds. As a result, it is easier to take them on walks or carry them if they become injured.

Tall dog breeds

What is a tall dog? What is a tall dog? Tall dogs are often confused with “bigger” breeds. But many large dog breeds are not considered “tall” – Great Danes, Bullmastiffs, St Bernards, and Leonbergers, to name a few. 

The word ‘talls‘ refers to any breed over 15 inches at the withers (the highest point between shoulder blades). This includes most terriers, spaniels, retrievers, hounds, etc.

Why is your dog so skinny?

Why is your dog so skinny? There are many reasons why a dog may have this condition, but one of the most common is on a strict diet. 

Unfortunately, many owners worry about their pet’s weight, mainly due to appearance or health concerns. It will put them on a diet or change their food if they gain too much weight. 

However, some breeds are predisposed to being skinny due to genetics.

Despite their name, skinny dog breeds can be of various sizes. The inclusion of the word “skinny” in the title of this article is to more accurately describe what many people think of when they speak of this topic. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, skinny dog breeds are a lot of fun to play with, and they will keep you on your toes. However, if you want a skinny dog, remember they require more exercise than other breeds. 

Get out there and find the right skinny dog for you! If you are looking for tall skinny dog breeds, you can go for Doberman Pinscher, Italian Greyhound, Saluki, or Whippet. 

Similarly, you may choose Dachshund, Corgi, etc., if you want a small skinny breed.