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Are you looking for a canine family companion? Are you searching for the right dog, but aren’t sure which breed is best? If you’re not sure, then why not consider a skinny dog breed! These dogs can be wonderful, fast, and athletic canine companions!
We’ve created a list of skinny dog breeds for you to consider. We hope you find your fur baby in this list!
Skinny Dog Breeds
Having a skinny dog doesn’t mean he’s underfed or not healthy. Instead, they can be one of the healthiest dogs around! Some dogs are specially bred to be skinny, as we’ll see in this list of skinny dog breeds!
1. Russian Toy Terrier
Russian Toy Terriers are a small skinny dog breed. They also go by other names including, Russkiy Toy, Moscow Toy Terrier, Moscovian Miniature Terrier, Russian Longhaired Toy Terrier, and Moscow Longhair Toy Terrier.
This is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world and can be longhaired or smooth-haired. If you see a smooth-haired Russian Toy Terrier, you may believe you’re looking at a toy deer! On the other hand, the longhaired version of this tiny breed has a small muzzle, large eyes, and ears that stand up. They have beautiful long fur that flows from their ears. Otherwise, they have short hair on the rest of their body.
The most common colors for these dogs are black & tan, red, sable, brown & tan, or blue and tan (the rarest color). The Russian Toy has small white spots on the chest and toes.
These small dogs stand between 8 to 11 inches tall and weigh about 6.5 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
The Russian Toy Terrier is often said to be a large dog in a small dog body! That’s because they have a big-dog attitude! They’re willing to take on larger dogs without a problem, at least in their minds. However, these dogs tend to be very loving with their family and friendly with other people.
These dogs are very smart and learn quickly and easily. Be sure to use positive reinforcement training methods to have plenty of treats and praise ready!
2. Braque du Bourbonnais
Braque due Bourbonnais is an ancient, purebred dog breed. They originally came from France, where they were bred to be pointers. This is a medium-sized dog breed that stands between 18 to 23 inches tall and weighs between 35 to 55 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
This dog breed dates back all the way to the 1500s to the province of Bourbonnais, France. They are considered one of the most ancient pointer breeds in Europe. Their name, in French, means “to aim or point.”
When it comes to personality, these are high-energy dogs who were bred to hunt. They require daily exercise and plenty of love and attention. They love nothing better than being by your side, running and playing or cuddling in the house!
These dogs are intelligent and want to please, which makes them easy to train. However, they’re not very good watchdogs. This is because they are friendly without just about everyone they meet.
The Braque du Bourbonnais has a very strong prey drive and needs to be kept on the leash. They require early training and socialization to make them well-rounded, friendly dogs. They may also need training to curb their barking.
These skinny dogs usually have coats of brown, white, fawn, and spotted. You may sometimes see one of these dogs with a solid-colored coat or a mix of colors and spots. Their coats are short and dense; however, these are not hypoallergenic dogs. However, they are easy to groom and only require brushing about once a week.
Braque du Bourbonnais can make great family companions; however, they’re not well-suited for families that have younger or small children. The dogs are full of energy and could accidentally injure a child when playing. However, they can make loving companions for older kids.
When it comes to other pets, these dogs may get along with them. However, they should be introduced to these animals at a younger age. Otherwise, they do have a strong prey drive and may go after cats and other smaller animals.
3. American English Coonhound
Here’s another skinny dog you might consider! American English Coonhounds are descended from English Foxhounds. They’re a hunting dog breed that is famous for their speed, endurance, and loud voice when chasing prey.
American English Coonhounds stand between 23 to 26 inches tall and weigh between 45-64 lbs, making them a medium-sized dog. They have a life expectancy of 11 to 12 years.
American English Coonhounds are skinny dogs that come in a range of colors, including:
- Black
- Black & tan
- Blue
- Brown
- Red
- Red & white
- White & tan
- Tricolored
These lean, muscular dogs are ready to track down their prey! They show their determination all through the chase as they call out their coonhound bark. These dogs have deep chests, making them great runners and athletes. They are famous for their speed and endurance.
American English Coonhounds were once called Virginia Hounds! They were well-adapted to hunting in the rough terrain of the American East. This skinny dog breed requires plenty of daily exercise to wear off all their energy. They make great companions for joggers and runners! And they would probably also enjoy hiking and treks.
Fortunately these determined hunters are very friendly with people and love their families! They’re also friendly with other dogs.
4. Saluki
Salukis are a beautiful skinny dog breed that some call the “supermodel” of dog breeds! No one is exactly sure about the origin of these beautiful dogs. However, some believe this is an ancient dog breed that was first bred by Arabs.
These dogs were bred for speed, endurance, and strength, which is why they are lean and sleek. Salukis usually stand between 23 to 28 inches tall and weigh between 35 to 70 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
Salukis are very affectionate with their pet parents; however, they’re not as demonstrative as other dog breeds. They’re very loyal, quiet dogs who want quiet companionship. However, Salukis are highly spirited and highly independent dogs. They were bred to be hunters, and if they see anything move (and we do mean anything), they have a tendency to run after it. These dogs are fast and have been clocked at 30 to 35 miles an hour. They will chase squirrels, cats, and just about anything.
Even dogs who live in rural areas tend to chase after other animals. Salukis have been known to chase and kill goats, otters, foxes, raccoons, snakes, deer, and other animals. So, it’s best to keep your Saluki on the leash at all times. They also require a fenced yard or an enclosed pet-safe area where they can run.
If you love to run or jog, a Saluki will make a great companion, as long as he’s kept on the leash. They’re very athletic dogs and excel at dog sports such as agility competitions, lure coursing, and more.
You’ll be relieved to know that in the house, your Saluki will settle down. These dogs love to get comfortable; however, they may try to eat anything edible left within reach or in the waste basket.
These dogs tend to be timid and shy, though they do benefit from early training and socialization. These are good dogs for older kids but not for families with younger children.
5. Pharaoh Hound
Here’s another skinny dog for you, called the Pharaoh Hound. These dogs come by their name naturally, for they were originally bred in ancient times. It’s thought the breed first appeared over 5,000 years ago. As their name suggests, these dogs belonged to kings and pharaohs.
These dogs are athletic and powerful. They usually stand between 23 to 25 inches and weigh between 45 to 55 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 11 to 14 years.
Pharaoh Hounds were originally bred to be hunting dogs. Just like other hounds, they tend to be more aloof and strong-willed. On the other hand, they’re also gentle dogs that get along with others, dogs, and kids. They long for companionship with their pet parents and seek attention, though they will remain independent. You might say these dogs are somewhat like a cat in that respect.
Because Pharoah Hounds are so friendly, they don’t make good guard dogs. However, they will bark if anything is suspicious. They also tend to bark if left alone for too long and/or if they become bored. It’s best not to leave these dogs alone for long periods.
As with other hounds, it’s best to keep a Pharaoh Hound on the leash at all times unless he’s in a fenced yard. These dogs have a strong prey drive, which causes them to chase almost anything.
These dogs are very intelligent and strong-willed; they’re not the best choice for inexperienced pet parents. They do want to please, so they are easy to train. However, do keep in mind these dogs are somewhat sensitive. They can easily pick up on your feelings and stress in the home. This could cause the dog to become timid, especially a puppy that’s not been socialized.
6. Azawakh
This is a dog breed not many people are familiar with, but these dogs are another type of skinny dog breed. They originally came from the Sahara Desert, where they were bred to be hunters. They have a regal appearance and are famous for being swift hunters!
Azawakhs are usually about 23 to 27 inches tall and weigh between 33 to 55 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
These elegant, skinny dogs were not only bred to be hunters. They were also used to as guardians and companions to tribal people who lived in the region. They are gentle and affectionate with their families; however, they are wary of strangers. They also don’t like to be touched by people they don’t know. Azawakhs are extremely protective of their people and property.
Azawakhs are called sighthounds because they use their sight more than their sense of smell. When one of these dogs sees motion, he’s instantly attracted and very likely to chase whatever caught his attention. Unfortunately, this can include people on bikes, skateboards, or those who are running. As you can imagine, this dog breed makes an excellent running or jogging companion!
Indoors, these dogs are more inactive. They love to take a snooze in a comfortable spot! The dogs are best for families that have a large home and fenced yard. They need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, though more is better!
7. Whippet
Whippets are yet another skinny dog breed! They were originally bred to hunt rabbits, so you know these dogs were made for speed. This is why they have lean, lanky bodies.
Whippets are medium-sized dogs that usually stand between 18 to 22 inches tall and weigh between 18 to 48 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
This dog breed strongly resembles Greyhounds and has been called the “poor man’s Greyhound.” They were developed by crossing Greyhounds with small terriers. Later, the Greyhounds were bred with Italian Greyhounds to create the Whippet. They have an elegant carriage yet are powerful runners. They were first bred back in the 18th century to hunt rabbits and other small game.
The dogs have short, dense coats that come in a wide range of colors. These dogs are full of energy and do well at competitions such as agility, flyball, and more. They are known to be independent; however, they do well at obedience training.
Whippets tend to get along well with other dogs and people; however, they must be socialized from a young age. If you have cats or other small pets, a Whippet is not the best choice for your family. That’s because these dogs have a strong prey drive and will go after small, furry animals.
This dog breed benefits from daily walks and playing in a fenced yard. Whippets make very gentle, affectionate family companions and even get along well with kids.
Summing It Up
So, there you have it! We hope this list helps you find the right skinny dog breed for your family!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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