Dogs have noses with an exceptionally acute sense of smell. With nasal passages containing more than 300 million scent receptors, dogs are capable of tracking a smell from nearly a mile away. However, though all dogs’ noses fulfill the same function, they don’t all look the same. The noses of dogs are set in snouts that vary in everything from color to length, size, and even shape. If you’re particularly drawn to dogs with long noses, here is our list of some of the most popular breeds that fall within this category:
Borzoi
The Borzoi is an elegant breed that hails from Russia where it spent its days as the hunting companion of royalty. The hallmark of the breed is its distinctive lengthy and narrow head, the perfect complement to its sleek, statuesque body. The breed moves with a natural grace and athleticism, carrying itself with dignity and great pride.
The Borzoi is well renowned for its gentle nature. The breed is very easygoing, a characteristic that seems at odds with this dog type’s natural speed. The Borzoi is a racing dog that is built for sprinting. However, the Borzoi is not a high energy breed. A once daily walk or vigorous run is sufficient to keep this pooch happy and healthy.
A breed that is considered to be giant, the Borzoi stands between 28 and 32 inches at the shoulder. The Borzoi bonds very deeply to its family and prefers to be in their company as much as possible. Independent by nature, the Borzoi is a dog that was bred to hunt rabbits in its native Russia and does possess high prey drive as a result. A securely fenced yard is a must for this breed.
The Borzoi sheds intensely. This dog type possesses a double coat that is silky to the touch.
Greyhound
The lithe, slightly u-shaped body of the Greyhound is highly distinctive. A breed that is built for speed, the defining characteristics of a good Greyhound include a narrow muzzle, lengthy limbs, and a powerful rear physique.
A breed considered to be one of the oldest in the world, it is believed the Greyhound was developed in Egypt. Many important people throughout history have expressed their abiding love for the Greyhound including Cleopatra, Queen Elizabeth I, and General Custer.
The Greyhound is a highly dignified dog that carries himself with grace and elegance. The breed is exceptionally friendly and gets along well with people and with dogs. The Greyhound is a devoted family companion, eagerly lavishing love and affection on those it loves most. The breed will alert bark at the presence of strangers but is not aggressive in any way.
Though many think of the Greyhound as a dog with high energy, the truth is this breed spends most of its daytime hours snoozing. Like the Borzoi, the Greyhound is a sprinter, requiring only a daily walk to remain happy and in good physical condition.
A dog breed that will chase small animals if given the opportunity, it is best for the Greyhound to remain in a fully fenced yard when outdoors. However, with their relatively low activity requirements, the Greyhound can do well in an apartment setting or in a house.
Dachshund
The adorable Dachshund not only has a very long head, the breed also has a long body to match. Available in three different varieties, the smooth, the wire haired, and the long haired, there is Dachshund sure to suit the tastes of everyone.
In America, Dachshunds come in two sizes: miniature and standard. However, in the breed’s native Germany, there are three classifications for the Dachshund with the dog’s chest size at age 15 months determining which category the dog falls into. These classifications are standard, miniature, and kaninchenteckel.
One of the most popular breeds in the United States today, the Dachshund is a spirited and fun little dog. The breed has a number of adorable nicknames including wiener dog, hot dog, Doxie, and even Teckels and Dachsels.
The Dachshund moves with pride and confidence. Its body is quite lengthy and very well-muscled. This dog type is courageous and quite intelligent. The Dachshund’s conformation serves a very important purpose. The breed’s short legs give the dog the ability to dig effectively to unearth prey burrowing in tunnels. The Dachshund’s immense courage make this dog type excel at hunting badgers, game that can be very fierce and menacing. The Dachshund also has an impressively sizeable chest which provides protection for the dog during fights with prey.
Though a playful and fun dog, the Dachshund can also be very obstinate, making training this breed a challenge. The breed also enjoys assisting its family with chores; however, its help is not always all that helpful.
A dog with high prey drive, the Dachshund will chase small animals if allowed to do so. The breed bonds very deeply to its family, but most often chooses one person as his or her own.
A breed with a loud and unique bark, the Dachshund enjoys the sound of its own voice and uses it regularly.
Afghan Hound
A dog breed that was developed to accompany its owners on hunts for large animals in the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan, the Afghan Hound’s impressive, flowing locks played an important role in keeping this dog warm. The breed is renowned for its skill as a runner, possessing both speed and stamina. The Afghan Hound is a very brave dog, able to keep animals such as leopards in place until the hunters were able to locate the pair. A dog of great independent spirit, the Afghan excels when allowed to think and act for itself.
A dog breed known as a sighthound, the Afghan Hound is very affectionate and loving towards its family during the puppy years. However, as the breed matures, they lose the desire for close contact and affection with people. The breed can be very standoffish, resisting affection of any sort. On occasion, the Afghan Hound will decide to cuddle, but this happens only rarely and only when the dog decides it is okay.
A dog breed that can be very comical, the Afghan Hound enjoys getting up to mischief. A natural entertainer, the Afghan Hound keeps its family smiling and well stocked with amusing stories to share with family and friends.
One of the Afghan’s greatest skills is competing in an event called lure coursing. This breed is ideally suited to this event as the dog possesses excellent long distance vision and flexible hip joints, making it able to traverse ground quickly and effortlessly.
Saluki
A dog believed to be of ancient origins, little is known about the history of the elegant Saluki. A dog of impressive speeds, the Saluki was originally named the Noble by the Arabs that developed the breed. Among the Saluki’s most cherished traits are its power, stamina, and speed. The breed’s narrow, lengthy head is an excellent match for its lithe body of impressive musculature.
The Saluki is shy by nature but is quite loving to its family members. The breed is not overly vocal, providing constant quiet companionship to those it loves most. The Saluki does not give its heart easily, so it is a tremendous honor to receive the love of this gentle natured dog.
A dog with very high prey drive, the Saluki requires a home with a securely fenced yard. The breed can run at speeds ranging from 30 to 35 miles per hour. It is recommended that the Saluki receive regular daily exercise. The breed excels as a running companion and is also well suited to many different dog performance sports such as agility, lure coursing, tracking, and obedience.
When inside its home, the Saluki will contentedly snooze on a couch or bed. Because the breed is quite bony, cushions are required to keep this dog type comfortable. The breed’s long, narrow head makes it the ideal tool for unearthing treats hidden on high surfaces.
Salukis are independent thinkers and aren’t always interested in learning new things. Positive reinforcement can help this breed to feel motivated to learn.
Ibizan Hound
A dog that hails from Ibiza, the Ibizan Hound goes back as far in time as the Egyptian Pharaohs. A dog with a beautiful red and white coat, the Ibizan Hound has a distinctive narrow head with a long muzzle, making the dog similar in appearance to the jackal god Anubis that the Egyptians worshipped. The dog’s ears are large and stand at attention. They can be carried in several different directions, expressing the dog’s mood and alertness. The rims of the eyes and the dog’s nose are flesh toned, giving this dog a very special look.
Lovers of the breed sometimes refer to the Ibizan Hound as Beezer. The breed is comical by nature and retains a youthful playfulness throughout its life. Loving and loyal, the Ibizan Hound is not overly demonstrative with its affection. The breed will readily cuddle with those it loves most but can be wary and shy of strangers. The Ibizan Hound is a natural protector of its home and hearth.
A dog of medium size, the Ibizan Hound is considered to be a sighthound. This dog type was originally intended to assist its owners on hunts for rabbits and small game animals. The breed possesses immense speed, endurance, and tenacity. The Ibizan Hound excels at many different activities but is particularly well suited to agility, lure coursing, and more.
Like the Saluki, the Ibizan Hound’s very lean body makes this dog seek out bedding with extra cushions. If provided with a comfortable bed to sleep in, the Ibizan Hound will happily sleep the day away. However, daily activity is still very important for this breed. It is recommended that the Ibizan Hound be taken for several lengthy walks per day.
The Ibizan Hound possesses the skill of jumping impressive heights directly from a standing position. This means the breed can and will source food on high counters. The breed requires secure fencing to prevent any escape attempts. A breed with strong prey drive, the Ibizan Hound will chase small, fast-moving animals if the opportunity presents itself.
Available in two different coat types, short and wire, the Ibizan Hound has very low grooming requirements.
Pharaoh Hound
The Pharaoh Hound is a happy dog. Loving and very intelligent, the Pharaoh Hound is laidback and comical, a true joy to its family and friends.
True to its roots as hound breed, the Pharaoh Hound can be standoffish and stubborn. However, the breed is well-renowned for its gentle nature, making it an excellent choice for families with children. The Pharaoh Hound is a people-oriented dog, thriving when in the company of those it loves most.
One of the most distinctive characteristics of the Pharaoh Hound is its talent for blushing. When this dog type is feeling emotional, it appears on its nose and ears through a unique reddish hue.
The Pharaoh Hound will definitely bark to alert its family to the presence of strangers; however, this breed is a poor guard dog as it is highly social and loves people.
A breed with exceptionally high prey drive, the Pharaoh Hound should be kept in a fenced yard or on a leash when outdoors for the safety of the dog.
Bloodhound
The Bloodhound is known for its sweet natured, loving ways. Though this breed’s distinctive lumber would lead many to think this breed is unmotivated, nothing could be further from the truth. The Bloodhound is sometimes referred to as a mantrailer because of its ability to track a scent for many, many miles. The Bloodhound lives for following scents, and thus, daily, lengthy walks are required to keep this dog breed mentally satisfied.
The breed originated in Europe during the Medieval period. In its native land, the Bloodhound was put to work tracking animals such as deer and boar. Today, the breed is used by many police forces to track missing persons. Their talents are so trustworthy that their scent trails and finds are considered admissible as evidence in court.
The Bloodhound can make for a wonderful family companion but does come with its drawbacks. The breed slobbers profusely and has its own unique smell that many find unpleasant. In addition to this, the Bloodhound has no higher master than that of its nose, making it prone to wander. The breed is well renowned for its penchant for destruction when young as well as for its obstinateness and high energy levels.
Whippet
The sweet, shy Whippet is the picture of elegance. Sometimes referred to as the poor man’s Greyhound, the Whippet is a dog of immense strength. It is believed the Whippet was developed in the 1700s with the intent of assisting poachers with hunting for rabbits and small game animals. The breed’s popularity greatly increased when it became apparent that the Whippet would eagerly chase a moving cloth and at very impressive speeds.
A dog of medium size, the Whippet has a short, thick coat. Its body is sleek, lithe and well-muscled. It is important to note that the Whippet is not a smaller version of the Greyhound. The Whippet is its own breed, having been created through thoughtful matings between Greyhounds, several types of small terriers, and Italian Greyhounds.
The Whippet is soft natured and very loving. The breed is exceptionally versatile, excelling at nearly any active pursuit including flyball, agility, and lure coursing. The breed is spirited and can be stubborn, preferring to chart its own path.
Whippets can get along with other animals; however, experts in the breed note that Whippets do not always make friends with cats. This can be attributed to the breed’s high prey drive.
The Whippet requires regularly daily exercise. It is best to keep this breed in a fully fenced yard to prevent escape attempts.
A dog that is happiest in the company of those it loves most, the Whippet is loyal, loving, and very easygoing.
Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher was developed in the late 1800s. A relatively youthful breed, the Doberman, also affectionately referred to as a Dobe, is exceptionally popular in the United States today.
Elegant of appearance and active and versatile, the Doberman Pinscher is very smart, curious, attentive, and devoted. A dog of immense bravery, the Doberman excels as protector and friend.
The Doberman’s looks are intimidating to many who fear the dog may be menacing and mean. However, the Doberman is a sweet-natured dog with a docile manner. The breed will defend its home and hearth; however, the Doberman will not start a fight, but it is prepared to finish it if necessary.
A breed that loves nothing more than spending time with its family, the Doberman is gentle with children and loving and kind to all. This is one breed that responds very poorly harsh treatment, and thus, only positive reinforcement techniques are recommended for the sensitive Dobe.
The Doberman is a fairly sizeable dog. A true athlete, this dog type requires regular daily exercise. Mental stimulation is also important to keep this intelligent breed from becoming bored and falling into nuisance behaviors.
Love the look of a long-nosed breed? Consider our list of some of the most popular breeds with long noses in America today. You just might find your next best canine pal there!