By Millie Ashworth

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Long, long ago, in the mysterious realm of early history before the term "purebred" existed, a prick-eared, ring-tailed canine appeared, spawned on eastern desert sands from a mix of unknown and now extinct species. Perhaps it was the first Gazehound. If so, its piercing eyes gazed easily to far distant dunes. Most modern gazehounds (sighthounds) are the oldest known breeds and have endured through millenniums. The majority have tall, lean, lithe bodies, and their unusually keen eyesight and great speed set them apart. Such qualities made them the consummate game coursing hounds in the ancient world. The American Kennel Club and the American Sighthound Field Association recognize the following sighthounds: the Saluki, Ibizan, Pharaoh Hound, Afghan Hound, Greyhound, Basenji, Irish Wolfhound, Borzoi, Scottish Deerhound, Rhodesian Ridgeback and Whippet. Imported sighthounds are the Sloughi, Azawakh, Magyar Agar and Chart Polski. There are many other breeds recognized as sighthounds, but they're little known in this country. Striking in appearance, the lean Saluki is similar to the well known Greyhound but usually with feathered ears and tail. However, some few are entirely smooth coated. Regal in bearing with a gaze of subtle mystique, the Saluki has an old world aura, as if it just stepped out of antiquity. As elegant as the dog appears, it's incredibly fast, known to out pace gazelles, the fastest of all antelopes. Research sometimes reveals conflicting claims as to which sighthound breed is the oldest. This writing will endeavor to sort out the pertinent data at hand. Excavations of remains of the Sumerian empire (7000-6000 B.C.) revealed carvings that closely resemble this modern and very distinctive breed. The Ibizan, long legged and deep chested, retains much of the Greyhound stature with large, pointed ears like its mysterious and possible forebear. These features lend it an air of high energy and alertness. It comes either smooth coated or wirehaired. An early graphic depiction was found in the tomb of Hemako, Egypt's first dynasty (3100-2700 B.C.). However, the breed is believed to be much older. Considered the hound of Pharaohs, a statue of one, characteristic of today's Ibizan, was discovered in the famed tomb of Tutankhamen. Bearing a resemblance to the Ibizan but of medium height with a long tail, the Pharaoh Hound, national dog of Malta, has alert pointed ears. Notorious for smiling and sometimes called the "joker of the primitive breeds," the Pharaoh Hound is known to charm one into laughter with its mischievous nature. It kept its present character through the millenniums and, like many sighthounds, was favored by the royalty of ancient Egypt, thus its name. Research on this prehistoric breed discloses it predates the first Egyptian dynasty. Tall and proud, the exotic Afghan Hound is another breed that changed little over the centuries. It too has a regal quality and expression, suggesting the mystique of eastern antiquity. With head held high and sporting long silken ears and glorious coat, it seems to glide majestically through space when moving. Evidence of the Afghan Hound's existence was found on a roll of papyrus excavated on the Sinai peninsula, then a part of Egypt (4000-3000 B.C.) and near Mt. Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Springing to life in the shadow of the Pyramids, its been said the Greyhound is a breed that will never die. A familiar image on 20th century racetracks, this breed purifies the Greyhound type with no added frills to break its rhythmic symmetry and speed. Long a dog of the aristocracy, it too was favored by ancient Egyptian royalty. Again, the Greyhound is a breed whose actual age is lost in antiquity. But the oldest record to date of one similar to the modern breed was found on carvings in the tomb of Amten in the Valley of the Nile (2900-2751 B.C.). A barkless dog, the smooth-coated Basenji was developed in the Congo as a hunting dog. Some were exported to ancient Egypt as gifts for the Pharaohs. Of medium height, it stands, head held high, with a sturdy compact body, alert pointed ears, tightly curled tail and a brilliant copper sheen to its coat. This canine is known to clean itself like a cat and yodel when it's happy. The modern Basenji as a breed is also considered to be quite old, but relative data hasn't been found. At first sight, one is immediately impressed by the formidable size of the rough-coated Irish Wolfhound. The tallest dog in the world, it easily towers over most humans when standing on hindquarters and averages above 30 inches at the withers (shoulders). However intimidating its size, it's known to be a gentle breed–a big dog with a big heart. Like many sighthounds, it's considered to be much older, but the earliest known authentic record of the it was found in a recovered letter written in 391 A.D. by a Roman consul to his brother, thanking him for the gift of seven Irish Wolfhounds. The Borzoi, a large hound with medium long coat and sweeping tail, displays the elegant grace of the Greyhound type. In spite of its height and strength, it has impressive refinement. In the recent past, it was often seen in press releases leashed beside some Hollywood starlet or fashion model. The Borzoi's long, lean, powerful structure gives it incredible speed. With its keen eyesight, it was greatly valued by its early masters for hunting and coursing game. This breed's origin is clouded as well, but definitive examples, typical of today's Borzoi, were developed and refined in Russia in the 17th century. Another sighthound of formidable size, the Scottish Deerhound, second tallest dog in the world, is thought to descend from the Irish Wolfhound and an unknown breed. It too has a wiry coat and gentle heart and is similar to the Irish Wolfhound. Even though its origin is also shrouded in time, known facts portray a canine whose history was resplendent with royal connections in the Middle Ages and throughout the Age of Chivalry. The highland chiefs of Scotland coveted this preeminent hunting hound to the point of claiming exclusive rights to it. Sometimes referred to as the African Lion Hound because the lion was once its quarry, the smooth-coated Rhodesian Ridgeback was bred by the Boers in the late 19th century as a hunting dog for the wilds of Africa. It's a large, powerfully structured dog, famous for its agility and stamina. Along the middle length of its back, a ridge of hair grows contrary to the direction of the rest of its coat, the reason for its name. Today, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is used as a guard dog but, like all sighthounds, it makes a loyal and affectionate pet if treated with respect. The Whippet, as a breed, can't boast of ancient heritage, having evolved around 135 years ago in England from a mix of standard Greyhounds, various terriers and Italian Greyhounds. Nevertheless, it's a notable sighthound. A smaller pure Greyhound type, the Whippet stands approximately halfway between the full-sized Greyhound and the smallest of Greyhounds, the Italian Greyhound, standing approximately a foot at the withers. It has all the poetic grace of its type and displays quiet dignity in the living room, yet becomes a worthy racing and coursing dog in the open. The character and demeanor of the modern Sloughi epitomizes the sighthound mystique of ages. Its a very old breed and possibly competes with the ancient ring-tailed canine for position as father to most sighthounds. Having changed little from its origins, it's a smooth-coated, lop-eared Greyhound type, but distinguished from the standard Greyhound by a squarish body that's higher than long, accentuating its long legs. The Sloughi was bred for utility, not breed standard, by its Berber and Bedouin masters and so prized by them, it was treated like a member of the family. Its origin is generally believed to date back into the dim shadows of ancient African history (8,000-7000 B.C.). Later, the Sloughi was imported into Egypt by the Nubians. Indigenous to the African sub-Sahara, the Azawakh was raised by Tuareg nomads and greatly prized by their nobles as a hunter and protector of cattle. True to the long-legged Greyhound stature but with subtle differences, the Azawakh has angular, architectural beauty. It presents a somewhat austere guarded manner and moves with catlike grace. The Azawakh is said to strike wonder with its haughty carriage and piercing, watchful eyes. Ancient though it must be, no dates of origin have been found. The Magyar Agar, otherwise known as the Hungarian Hound, though smaller, is quite typical of the Greyhound. A few have been imported, but the breed is rarely known outside of Hungary, and exact dates of its origin are not forthcoming. But history reveals its close companionship to the fierce Magyar people who brought the breed into Europe in the 10th century. Descended from the Asiatic Greyhound, the Chart Polski is distinguished from the pure Greyhound with much tougher skin, heavier hair and more body mass. It's good tempered, normally reserved and capable of showing great courage under fire. Registered with the Polish Kennel Club, the only dates found refer to depictions of the Chart Polski in 16th century writings and paintings. Modern Gazehounds are unique in the canine family with their gifted eyesight and powerful streamlined bodies built for speed. Representing the oldest known breeds in the world or coming directly from them, they've endured and proven their stamina and great spirit. Back to Archives

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