Dogs That Look Like Deer

Deer are beautiful and graceful creatures that use their speed to evade predators. And it’s no coincidence that most of the dogs that look like deer are fast on their feet as well. Their similar looks are the result of function, and that function is speed. Here are the top deer-like dogs and what you’ll want to know about them.

Greyhound

The Greyhound is easily one of the fastest dogs on the planet, so it’s no wonder these fleet-footed canines are used in many countries for the sport of dog racing. They are large dogs with an elegant appearance.

And of course, they are built for running so they have long legs with lean and muscular bodies. Despite being capable of amazing bursts of speed when on the track or in large open spaces, at home these canines are actually known for being quite mellow and laidback.

Pharaoh Hound

This deer-looking dog is one of the two dog breeds from the island nation of Malta, the other is the Maltese. The Pharaoh Hound is a sighthound that was developed to hunt rabbits and birds. However, unlike other sighthounds, the Pharaoh Hound not only uses its eyesight to locate prey but also its nose.

Because of its hunting background, this breed has a strong prey drive and also requires plenty of exercise. They have amber eyes and a tan deer-like coat with white markings.

Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound is a toy breed that becomes very attached to its owner. It is a sweet-tempered canine that makes an excellent little lapdog. However this is a breed that is well-known for its sensitivity to the cold, and it will need to wear a jacket once the winter months roll around. The Italian Greyhound should be treated gently and therefore does best in a home with older children who know how to properly handle it.

Ibizan Hound

Like other dog breeds that look like deer, the Ibizan Hound is both slender and graceful. It has long legs that help it to cover ground with serious speed when on the hunt. This breed was developed to hunt rabbits on the rocky Spanish island of Ibiza. It is believed that its ancestors were brought to the island by Phoenician traders several thousand years ago. The Ibizan Hound has two coat types rough and smooth.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is not just a tiny breed it’s the smallest of them all. These little dogs were developed in Mexico and are named for the Mexican state of Chihuahua. And they come in two different head types: the apple head and the deer head.

The apple head Chihuahua has a rounded apple-like head, eyes that are closer together, and shorter legs. In contrast, the deer head Chihuahua is more deer-like with a flatter head, eyes that are set wider apart, and legs that are longer and thinner.

Whippet

This medium-sized sighthound is a popular companion breed. It’s an obedient canine that is especially gentle with children. The Whippet happens to be a quiet dog and therefore does well in an apartment as long as it gets daily exercise.

Whippets are not only dogs that look like deer with their sleek and streamlined physique, but they are also top-notch sprinters too. This breed was created by crossing Italian Greyhounds with Greyhounds along with terriers added in for gameness.

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