Graceful. Lightning-fast. Unmistakably elegant.
Sighthounds have captivated human hearts for thousands of years—not just as companions, but as hunters, status symbols, and athletes. With their lean builds, deep chests, and long legs, they once roamed royal courts and open deserts in pursuit of prey, today their purpose has evolved.
Ancient Origins: The First Hunters
Sighthounds are among the oldest dog types in human history, with evidence of their existence dating back over 4,000 years. Tomb paintings in ancient Egypt
depict Salukis and Sloughis, sleek dogs racing alongside hunters chasing down gazelles across the sands. These dogs weren’t just valued for their speed—they were revered. In many cultures, owning a sighthound was a privilege reserved for nobility and royalty.
They were seen as symbols of wealth, power, and divine favour.
The Breeds and Where They Come From
There’s a rich variety of sighthounds, each with its own distinct heritage, form, and original prey. Here are some of the most iconic breeds:
Saluki – One of the oldest dog breeds, originating in the Middle East. Bred to hunt fast, agile game like gazelles. Known for their endurance and elegance.
Borzoi – Hailing from Russia, these long-coated sighthounds were bred by the aristocracy to pursue wolves across snowy plains.
Afghan Hound – Native to the mountains of Afghanistan, with flowing coats and strong prey drive. Bred for hunting deer and leopards in harsh terrains.
Irish Wolfhound – Giant yet gentle, this breed was used to hunt wolves in Ireland. They combine the speed of a sighthound with formidable size.
Scottish Deerhound – Similar in appearance to the Irish Wolfhound, used in Scotland for pursuing red deer.
Greyhound – Perhaps the most recognised sighthound today. Originating from Britain, but with roots tracing back to Egypt. Used to hunt deer and hares in open fields.
Whippet – A smaller cousin of the Greyhound, developed in northern England by working-class hunters, commonly referred to as the ‘poor mans race horse’. Fast, compact, and incredibly agile—ideal for chasing rabbits.
Each of these breeds was developed for vision-based hunting—spotting, chasing, and taking down prey in wide-open terrain. Their speed, keen eyesight, and independent thinking made them unmatched pursuit dogs.
The Changing Role of the Sighthound
For centuries, sighthounds helped people put food on the table. They weren’t just pets—they were tools of survival. Whether coursing hares in the English countryside or running down antelope on the African plains, they were essential to the hunt. But times have changed. With modern agriculture, conservation laws, and shifts in lifestyle, hunting with dogs has become less common and, in many places, illegal. The traditional role of the sighthound has largely faded. But their legacy lives on—and so does their need to run.
From Hunters to Athletes
Today, sighthounds are celebrated in new ways: racing, lure coursing, agility, and companion sports. Their love for chasing is still there—it’s just been redirected.
That’s where tools like the BullX Pro Training Lure Machine come in. Designed to safely simulate the thrill of the chase, these machines give sighthounds a healthy outlet for their speed and instinct, without needing an open plain or live prey. Whether it’s a Greyhound tearing down a straightaway, a Whippet zigzagging across a lure course, or a retired racer just enjoying a burst of speed in the yard, modern sighthounds still crave what they were bred for: motion, vision, and the chase.
A Noble Legacy
The sighthound’s story is one of evolution—alongside us, with us, and now, among us. They’ve gone from royal hunting companions to beloved pets, from desert sprinters to couch-loving speedsters. While we may no longer rely on them to catch our dinner, we still celebrate what makes them extraordinary. They are living history and they still love to run.