Horses are gallant creatures with long flowing tails and manes. And while these aren’t traits most people think of when it comes to canines, amazingly there are a handful of dogs that look like horses. So here are the top horse-looking dogs and what you’ll want to know about each of them.
Irish Wolfhound
At first glance, you might confuse an Irish Wolfhound for a scruffy-looking Shetland Pony or a young horse. That’s because this breed is enormous. It’s a true giant and is considered to be the tallest dog breed in the world. In the past, it was used to both protect against and to hunt down wolves. Their speed, power, size, and keen eyesight size were important physical traits that helped them to do these jobs effectively.
Chinese Crested Dog
The Chinese Crested Dog comes in two types, the powder puff and the hairless. The hairless variety is a dog that looks like a horse, although not a full-size horse of course, but a miniature one. These little canines are not actually completely hairless they do have a crest of hair on their head and neck which look similar to a horse’s mane.
They also have a plume of hair on their tail and “socks,” of hair on their lower legs and feet which look like the feathering on the legs of many breeds of horses. In contrast, the powder puff Chinese Crested Dog has a full coat of soft and fluffy long hair.
Great Dane
The Great Dane is a dog breed that looks like a horse simply because of its great size. The Great Dane is so tall, that it’s not uncommon for their wagging tails to clear entire tabletops of their contents. You may be surprised to know that it’s not actually a Danish breed like most people would assume from its name. This is actually a German breed and it was used to both guard homes and to hunt wild boar.
Bull Terrier
There’s no doubt about it, the Bull Terrier is one of the most unique dogs out there, especially when it comes to looks. It’s also stubborn, clownish, and steadfastly loyal. This horse-looking dog has a long downward curving head with pointy ears that stand straight up. It’s also a very stocky and muscular breed, which gives it an overall appearance similar to that of a draft horse such as a Clydesdale, Belgian Draft, or Shire horse.
Greyhound
Greyhounds are muscular, lean, and sleek canines that are often compared to Thoroughbred racehorses. In fact, these are not only dogs that look like horses but they can run like them too. As sighthounds, their bodies are perfectly built for speed, allowing them to clock in at over 40 mph.
Their blazing speed is the reason that greyhound racing is a popular sport in many countries around the world. For fans of this athletic canine, adopting a retired racing Greyhound is often an excellent option.
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