Even with such moments, sight hounds are almost always lovely to walk on a leash, rarely pulling or straining as they move. Few things are enticing enough to inspire him into action, and the presence of the leash creates a suppression of his hunting instincts. If you didn’t know what would happen if you removed the leash altogether, you might be tempted to believe he would simply stroll at your side to the end of the earth and back. But don’t enjoy yourself so much that you walk for too long; these dogs were not made for endurance, but rather short bouts of exertion.

As gorgeous as sight hounds often are, you may end up feeling as if you are walking a supermodel down the street as you negotiate a crowd of oohing and ahhing pedestrians. One of the few great challenges you can face out on the town is simply keeping strangers from doting on your companion and causing him discomfort.

He will be unimpressed with many of the dogs he meets, finding them uncivilized or presumptuous. It is important to bear in mind he is not one for spontaneous wrestling matches with a canine stranger on the sidewalk or bubbly jumping and licking on a first date with another dog. Don’t put him in positions he will despise just because owners say their dog is “friendly and really wants to say hi.” Just let him keep that pretty nose in the air and keep on walking.

The bottom line for public life with your sight hound is this: Make simple accommodations, and you will find him highly accommodating.

PERSONAL LIFE—A relationship with a sight hound may sometimes fail to live up to the image people have in their minds about a canine pet. He is unlikely to be the panting, drooling, fawning puppy who wiggles and writhes at your feet looking for belly rubs or another game of fetch. He will not hang on your every word to see if “walk” or “dinner” are in there somewhere. Unless you are ready to lose him, he isn’t that hiking or mountain-biking companion you’ve been dreaming of. Nor is he the dog that many picture their kid growing up with, happy to enjoy everything from slumber parties to camping trips. He is another kind of dog altogether.

For those living a quiet, professional, urban single life or wanting to dance to a slower tune in retirement, he may be the ideal partner. But he does require emotional maturity. With a sight hound, you may be faced with the uncomfortable fact that your own demand for attention and affection is higher than your dog’s need for it. If you are one of those people who needs to be doted on constantly by your dog, a sight hound may disappoint.