12 Dog Breeds with Long Necks

Dogs, like people, come in all shapes and sizes. Some are short while some are tall.

There are those with smooth coats and others with long dense fur on their coats.

Canines can also be slender, thick, or somewhere in between.

Then there’s a clear demarcation between long-necked and short-necked doggies.

If you are interested in the former group, we have listed down 12 dog breeds with long necks.

Some of these beauties have towering necks that require special needs. For instance, you may not be able to have a low-hanging fence if you own them.

Also with a long neck, the dog may maneuver his way out of the fence.

Others dig up holes at the base of the fence and make a run for it.

Before you get one of them, determine whether you can handle the demands that come with them or not.

Without further ado, here are 12 dog breeds with long necks

1. Greyhound

Greyhounds are arguably the longest-necked dog breeds in the world.

These dogs pretty much look like little giraffes. Add this is due to the fact that they are large and you know they tower over most things in the house.

If you own one, you must know well than to keep your prized possessions on the coffee table.

As the dog runs around, the tail knocks over the coffee on the tables, food, expensive chinaware you name it.

Thankfully, the breed is laid-back, affectionate, clean, and intelligent.

2. Basenji

If you are looking for a medium-sized graceful breed with a long neck, look no further than the Basenji, or the African barkless dog.

No doubt this pooch scores very well in the looks department. This is all thanks to his little pointy ears, smooth shiny coat, and a tail that curls over as they trot.

The head has a tapered muzzle, dark nose, almond-shaped eyes, and wrinkled forehead that makes him appear as though he’s worried.

That’s not all – his long neck slopes down to his short head giving him the look of a well-poised, physically alert dog.

3. Afghan Hound

As the name goes, the Afghan hound is a hound-type canine from the cold Afghanistan mountains.

The breed made its way to the United States and other parts of the world many years ago and has become a fans’ favorite.

 To say that this dog is a beauty to behold is an understatement. You never get enough of the long silky hair that covers his skin and the striking tail that curls into a beautiful ring at the end.

Wait until the breed takes off and you will be blown away some more. He can run faster than most dogs.

Afghans have long necks—a characteristic that came in handy during his hunting days.

The neck allows the dog to dig deep and retrieve or smell something with ease.

4. Borzoi

The Borzoi is another type of hound dog. This one comes from Russia but he essentially possesses similar physical traits as his cousins in entries 1 and 3.

The body is long and slender including every other part of the body—the spine, neck, legs, face, and back.

Borzois are built for speed. They were bred to chase after rabbits and wolves.

Doing this needs an agile chaser that can outrun prey.

The neck mainly served as a convenient tool during the hunt. Even at home, members of this breed will always have a high prey drive and will use their necks to harass cats and squirrels.

5. Azawakh

Another tall and elegant sighthound, the Azawakh is designed with a long neck.

This ancient dog originates from West Africa from where he was bred as a swift hunter.

Looking at his body, you can tell that he has what it takes to be an excellent hunting buddy.

He has legs that go on forever. These are what give him the agility, strength, and stamina he needs to run after prey.

If it hides in hard-to-reach areas, the neck comes in handy to retrieve birds, rabbits, and other game.

 It also helps the dog to peep over trees, stones, and other barriers to find out where the desired prey is hiding at.

6. Pharaoh Hound

Pharaoh hounds are known for being one of the most expensive dog breeds. They cost a pretty dollar because they are rare and also for their looks.

With a striking tan and smooth coat, lean chiseled head, amber-colored eyes, and a flesh-colored nose, this breed takes all the attention in the room.

The neck and legs are long as well to support the slender, well-built body.

 Sadly, the long neck sometimes gets the dog in trouble as it makes him a food thief around the house. 

Still, he is one of the most amazing dogs to own as pets.

7. Dachshund

Also called the sausage dog, the Dachshund is a sweet little choice for many pet owners.

He looks nothing like the previous dogs—no chiseled head, long slender legs, or tall muscular bodies.

Instead, this pooch is low to the ground, has a wide forehead, and walks on broad stumpy feet.

The resemblance between sighthounds and the dachshund is that both have long bodies and long necks.

The size of the neck is nature’s way of supporting the long body so the dog can comfortably move around.

Miniature dachshunds have short stuffy necks that go hand in hand with their lighter builds.

However, their standard counterparts must feature a long arched muscular neck.

8. Whippet

The whippet is another dog breed with a long slender body defined by a deep chest, long legs, and an equally long neck.

People always confuse him with a greyhound but the two dogs are quite different from each other.

This breed is active and lazy in equal measure. He can accelerate up to 35mph for a few minutes then lounge on the sofa for the rest of the day.

He is also affectionate, playful, low-maintenance, and just delightful.

9. Spanish Greyhound

One particular Spanish greyhound by the name of Ketama made headlines in 2020 for her long stunning neck.

Photos showing her incredibly long physique and long neck surfaced online and went viral immediately.

The rescue pooch was initially homeless but later found a home with a Dutch couple, Monique Morsink and Martin ten Voorde.

The two well-wishers stumbles upon Ketama when looking for a pet in greyhound-specific rescue centers and loved her to bits.

Granted, not all Spanish greyhounds have as long necks as that of Ketama but their necks are much longer than those of many breeds.

10. Chinese Crested

Happy and high-spirited, the Chinese crested is an enchanting pup with amazing jumping and climbing skills.

Whether he has hair on her coat or doesn’t, he always turn heads wherever he goes.

People call him a Velcro dog because he never leaves his owner’s side.

He craves human interaction more than anything.

Unfortunately, this dog is an adept jumper and climber.

He is famous for jumping over the fence or burrowing under it to find what lies beyond.

His long neck always helps him as an escape artist.

11. Doberman

The Doberman pinscher may not be a hound-type canine but his long nape is certainly worth mentioning.

 Small-sized dogs of the breed have necks of 15-16 inches while the large and extra-large varieties average 17 and 19 inches in length.

Dobbies have muscular bodies and deep chests that need an equally strong and long neck for balance and support.

As for the character, this dog is loyal, intelligent, and incredibly loyal.

If trained and socialized as a puppy, he can get along well with kids and other pets.

12. Poodle

Regardless of whether you have a toy, miniature, or standard poodle, you know this breed also features a long neck.

Besides the pleasant curly coat, a poodle is recognized for the length of her neck.

At home, he may require a pillow to support her extended scruff. This is especially true if you own the larger version.

The neck sticks out when the dog is swimming. During the hunt, it also helps the dog burrow through the ground and reach narrow and long spaces.

 Poodles are intelligent and eager to please their owners no wonder they excel as service dogs. They are also friendly, affectionate, and playful at home.

Parting Thoughts

As you might have observed, most long-necked dogs are sighthounds. They have lean and tall physiques alongside long napes for different functions.

Only a handful of breeds don’t belong to the hound family but still have a long neck.

Whatever your choice, prepare well for your dog and enjoy him.