Turkish Greyhound (Tazı)

We couldn't find a study that systematically examines the Turkish Greyhound's temperament, so this section draws largely on animal welfare resources about sighthounds. According to RSPCA Australia's greyhound guide, although these dogs are known for their speed, they spend much of the day resting and are usually happy with a daily walk and some play.

The same source stresses that chasing behavior is influenced by genetics and that some greyhounds have a very strong instinct to chase. Some can live peacefully with cats and small dogs, while others can never be left alone with them. Because the Turkish Greyhound was bred as a hunting dog, this instinct deserves to be taken seriously.

RSPCA Australia notes that some greyhounds feel overwhelmed by all the changes when they arrive in a new home, while others settle in quickly. According to the same source, a sleeping greyhound can be startled if someone approaches, makes a noise or touches it, and may snap before it's fully awake, so if you need to wake it, call its name gently from a distance.

The Turkish Greyhound suits owners in a calm home who can give their dog a daily walk and a safe place to run, and who are careful about leashes and fences. According to RSPCA Australia, greyhounds don't need a lot of space, but they do need a quiet spot of their own and a safe area to run.

If you have other pets, the safest approach is to find out before adopting whether the sighthound gets along with them, and to make the first introductions under control. RSPCA Australia also recommends getting expert help before introducing a greyhound to a cat.

According to a 2012 review by Yilmaz and Ertugrul, the Turkish Greyhound is not numerous, but it is the Turkish breed with the oldest historical records. Sighthounds appear in 16th-century Ottoman miniatures; one shows a son of Suleiman the Magnificent hunting with a tazi. It has been claimed that the Turkish Greyhound descends from the Kyrgyz sighthound and was brought to Anatolia during migrations from Central Asia, but this is presented as a claim.

According to a 2012 Selcuk University study, at an international shepherd dog symposium held in Konya in 1996, the Kangal, Akbash and Kars were counted as shepherd dogs and the Turkish Greyhound as a hunting dog. According to another 2012 study, tazis are bred mainly in Konya and Sanliurfa, and they're used to hunt quail, partridge, hare and fox in the wetter areas of central and southern Anatolia.

The Turkish Greyhound is not recognized by the FCI. A study published in 2020 examined the body proportions of tazis as groundwork for an official breed standard and identified three distinct types among 155 dogs based on body proportions. Selcuk University researchers also stress that more detailed studies are needed to define the breed's traits and genetic makeup. In a small 2005 genetic study (Altunok et al.), two of the sighthounds examined clustered in a separate group while one grouped with free-roaming dogs; in other words, the breed's genetic makeup isn't well understood yet.

According to Yilmaz and Ertugrul, the Turkish Greyhound has long legs, a slim body, a narrow, long head, a long neck, a deep chest and a tucked-up belly. It resembles the Saluki but is larger.

• Height and weight: In a 2011 study of 122 tazis, the average weight was 41 lb (18.4 kg) and the average height at the shoulder 24.4 in (62 cm). According to the review, males average 42 lb (19.0 kg) and 24.8 in (63.1 cm), and females 39 lb (17.8 kg) and 24.0 in (61.0 cm).
• Coat: A Selcuk University study of 30 tazis found two coat types: 73% were feathered (silky long hair on the ears, the underside of the tail, the legs and the back of the thighs) and 27% were smooth and short-coated. The review describes a short-coated type with a thin, hairless tail.
• Color: As reported by Selcuk University researchers, color isn't considered a defining trait of the breed. In the 2011 study, 35% of the dogs were black, 25% dun, 12% brown, 11% tan, 8% white and 8% pied. Two-colored and grizzled dogs were also common in the Selcuk University sample.
• Maturity: One study found that tazis reach adult weight and size at about two years of age; another put it at around one year.

Thanks to its short or silky coat, the Turkish Greyhound is easy to groom; brushing once a week with a soft brush is usually enough. In feathered dogs, brush the ear and tail fringes separately so they don't tangle.

• Cold: RSPCA Australia notes that greyhounds don't cope well with very cold or very hot weather. Yilmaz and Ertugrul also write that in Anatolia, tazis are wrapped in a blanket in cold seasons to keep them warm. In winter it needs a coat, a thick, soft bed and a spot sheltered from the wind. Our article on dogs in cold weather covers the details.
• Heat: In summer, shade, water and walks during the cooler hours.
• Bed: RSPCA Australia recommends a comfortable bed in a quiet corner, away from doorways and busy passages. No one in the family should sit on that bed; it's the dog's safe place to retreat to.
• Nails and teeth: Trim the nails regularly, and plan dental care with your vet.

According to RSPCA Australia, a daily walk and some play, about an hour of activity in total, is generally enough for greyhounds. The Turkish Greyhound was bred for speed, so being able to sprint flat out now and then in a safe, fenced area matters to it.

The most important rule: never let it off leash in an area that isn't secure. RSPCA Australia reminds owners that you won't be able to run fast enough to catch an escaped greyhound, and recommends a securely fenced yard that's free of obstacles. When it sees a moving animal, the chase instinct may keep it from hearing you call.

1. Teach its name: Saying its name and immediately giving a small treat helps a sighthound respond to its name quickly; RSPCA Australia recommends this method.
2. Recall: Practice first indoors, then in a fenced area on a long training line. Our article on teaching a dog to come when called walks you through it.
3. Choosing a collar: RSPCA Australia advises asking your vet or the rehoming organization for advice on collars and leashes. Loose-leash walking makes walks easier.
4. New surroundings: Introduce new things such as slippery floors, stairs and the vacuum cleaner slowly, with rewards.

RSPCA Australia stresses that greyhounds should never be punished, since punishment damages your relationship and increases the risk of behavior problems, including biting. Patient, reward-based training is best for these sensitive dogs.

The Turkish Greyhound doesn't need a special food; a complete, balanced dog food suited to its age and activity level is enough. Sighthounds are naturally lean, so it's possible both to overfeed a slim dog you think is too thin and to miss real weight loss. Work out your dog's ideal weight and daily food amount with your vet.

• Count treats as part of the daily food.
• Don't let it sprint right after eating.
• Weighing it once a month helps you spot weight loss early in such a lean dog.
• Fresh water should always be available.

Be careful with table scraps and bones; take a look at our list of foods that are dangerous for dogs.

We couldn't find published health studies specific to the Turkish Greyhound. The points below are known concerns in sighthounds; ask your vet about diagnosis and treatment.

Cold and heat

RSPCA Australia notes that greyhounds don't cope well with very hot or very cold weather, and that those spending time outdoors need protection from sun, heat, cold and wind. Shivering in the cold or fast breathing in the heat are signs the dog needs protection.

Running injuries

A dog sprinting at full speed can hurt itself in an area with obstacles or rocks. RSPCA Australia recommends that a yard where greyhounds run be free of obstacles. If you notice limping, a cut on a paw or swelling after a run, show your vet.

Minor wounds

Scratches and scrapes are easy to spot on a short-coated dog; check the legs and paws after running and playing. See your vet for any deep or bleeding wound.

We couldn't find a study of the Turkish Greyhound's lifespan, so we're not giving a breed-specific number. For comparison: in a 2024 UK study using data on about 585,000 dogs (McMillan et al.), the median lifespan was 13.3 years for the Saluki and 11.5 years for the Greyhound. In the same study, mixed-breed dogs had a median lifespan of 12 years.

The most practical tools you have for a longer life: regular vet checkups, a healthy weight, staying on top of vaccines and parasite prevention, and a safe routine that keeps preventable risks such as escapes and traffic accidents to a minimum.

• Consider adoption: Sighthound types and sighthound mixes also turn up in adoption listings. Knowing up front how an adult dog gets along with cats and small animals is a big advantage. Our guide to adopting a shelter dog explains the process.
• If you buy from a breeder: Meet the parents; look for calm temperaments and puppies that are being raised among people.
• Prepare your home: A gap-free fence, a self-closing yard gate, a collar it can't slip, an ID tag, a winter coat and a soft bed.
• For hunting: If you plan to use a tazi for hunting, check the current hunting rules with the authorities; in Türkiye that's the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks.
• Registration: Rules vary by country. In Türkiye, owned cats and dogs must be microchipped and registered in the PETVET system; for a dog that may bolt, a microchip and up-to-date registration matter even more. See our article on PETVET registration and microchips.