Sighthounds And Their Extraordinary Sight

Have you ever wondered why Sighthounds are called Sighthounds?

A  sighthounds keen eyesight and sensitivity to motion is a remarkable  fear of evolutionary adaptation which has secured their presence  alongside humankind throughout history.  

It’s  hard to picture any greyhound, as we know them, roaching on the sofa  and sleeping all day long with all the energy of a snail ever being used  for hunting…although it isn’t hard to imagine them being revered.

Greyhounds  have a certain mindset, one where they believe themselves royalty and  we are but their toast-providing servants! But this is most likely in  relation to the fact that Sighthounds are amongst the most ancient of  dog breeds and one of the few that have had their physical appearance  almost completely unchanged through the course of history.

Imagery  of sighthound-like silhouettes; large, long-nosed, long-legged, and  curled tailed dogs have been found in archaeological dig sites dating  back over 8000 years in which all sighthounds today descended from.  Though while they have a rich history, across countless countries and  cultures, the exact origins are still of great debate!

Sighthounds,  which are otherwise known as Gazehounds, include a wide range of breeds  with greyhounds amongst the most well-known. Salukis, Borzoi, Whippets,  Afghans, Deer and Wolfhounds…the list goes on, but they are not as  frequently seen or recognised by the average passerby. Sighthounds have  overcome a lot of trials and tribulations over their vast history but  thankfully, they were all saved and preserved, rewarding us with the  beautiful companions we have today!

Though what is so special about Sighthounds that has ensured their vast and prominent place across history?  Their eyes.

Sighthounds  trace their lineage back to ancient times when they were selectively  bred for their hunting abilities, particularly in pursuit of fast-moving  prey.  This selective breeding favoured traits conducive to efficient  hunting, including keen eyesight optimized for tracking and capturing  prey over vast distances.

By  hunting solely by sight, and speed, rather than scent, sighthounds stand  apart from the rest of the dog world.  With narrow heads and wide set  eyes, almond shaped eyes, they have a phenomenal 270-degree vision that  sports both an incredible long distance and peripheral vision.  This  wide field of view and enhanced peripheral vision provide sighthounds  with binocular vision, crucial for depth perception and to accurately  gauging distances—a necessity when chasing prey at high speeds.

Moreover,  sighthounds boast a high density of rod cells in their retinas, which  are specialized for low-light vision and motion detection. This  adaptation allows them to detect movement with exceptional sensitivity,  even in dim lighting conditions, giving them a distinct advantage when  hunting at dawn or dusk.

Their  remarkable speed, agile nature, and sight is still as strong in today’s  sighthounds as it was all those years ago, along with the natural  instincts to respond and chase.  This is why for a lot of sighthound  owners, when something like a cat, rabbit, squirrel or other ‘prey’ runs  out unexpectedly…you’ll be getting dragged after it!

The  keen eyesight of sighthounds also plays a crucial role in their  interactions with their surroundings and fellow canines. Their acute  awareness of subtle visual cues allows them to assess their environment  for potential threats or opportunities, contributing to their overall  situational awareness and survival instincts.

But  in saying this, despite their remarkable visual acuity, sighthounds  (particularly our beloved greyhounds) can be horrendously clumsy.  Able  to walk into any stationary item will amazing precision, be it  furniture, people, doorways and just about any other obstacle, as if it  isn’t there…it really is quite embarrassing for them!