These lithe canines accompanied their owners in hunting down lions and chasing away hyenas. The Sighthound breeds were also used as hunting dogs and guard dogs by Egyptians against vicious predators. One of Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s treasure, a golden flabellum, portrayed a scene of a Sighthound aiding his master in hunting an ostrich. The Sighthound dogs were greatly valued by the nobility in Egypt, especially the Pharaoh. These were the distinctive appearance of Sighthounds. Various ancient art and literature depicted canines with thin sharp heads, long narrow bodies, and tall thin legs. The very first remains of what is believed to be a Sighthound dog existed around 7,000 BC. The earliest written description of the Sighthounds dates back around the 2nd century AD. They were primarily bred to chase and hunt prey using their amazing sight and speed. The Sighthounds are swift hunting dogs that lived in wide-open deserts. The origins of Sighthound are thought to have begun in the Middle East and Africa. Saluki and Sloughi types of Sighthound breeds have existed for around 5,000 years. The Sighthounds are some of the most ancient breeds around the world. Origins of the Sighthound dog breed Early Beginnings The unique hunting abilities of Sighthounds earned them the nickname Windhounds and Gazehounds. Some Sighthounds can reach speed of over 40 mph, whilst others have a 270-degree field of vision. They aid hunters by coursing the prey or chase them out of dense woodlands to an open area where they can be caught in a trap or slain. The Sighthound breeds can spot prey from far away and pursue it over large distances. Meanwhile, the Sighthound’s counterpart, the Scent Hound, specialises in tracking and hunting through his sense of smell. For this reason, they are popularly known as ‘Ferraris of the dog world.’ Dogs that fall under the Sighthounds category were bred to hunt by sight and speed. Sighthounds belong to the Hound Group, a classification of dog breeds created to track and capture prey.
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