Black and skinny go hand in hand and can. After all, the combo adds a sense of elegance, whether you’re talking about a fashionable pair of jeans or a lovable pooch.
While there are plenty of slim breeds out there, not all come in dark coats.
So, let’s cut right to the chase and check out our top 17 picks for the prettiest black skinny dog breeds!
Slim Dogs With Black Coats
1. Azawakh
What’s a better breed to get our list started than the ancient, gaunt, and affectionate Azawakh?
Azawakhs are so sensitive and playful that it’s hard to believe they were originally hunting dogs. However, we can definitely see how the slender figure made these bad boys run across valleys in West Africa (yup, they’re not native to the US.)
Although the breed comes in a lot of coats, black is one of the top colors in the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) standards.
2. Phu Quoc Ridgeback
The Phu Quoc Ridgeback isn’t the kind of breed you’ll see strolling down the street in your neighborhood—unless you live in Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam.
It’s quite a rare specimen and isn’t recognized by many clubs worldwide.
However, if you ever get to see one, you’ll be able to identify it right away through the iconic ridge of reversed hair on the dog’s back!
3. Thai Ridgeback
If you appreciate the characteristic ridge on the Phu Quoc Ridgeback, you’ll probably like the Thai Ridgeback Dog.
Interestingly, this feature is available in three breeds. The third one is the Rhodesian Ridgeback, but this breed only comes in wheaten coats (black is extremely rare).
Meanwhile, Thai Ridgeback dogs can have solid black coats and aren’t as rare. Plus, they have wide recognition from clubs like the AKC and UKC.
4. Borzoi
To match their sleek bodies, Borzoi dogs have quite elongated noses.
That’s not to say that they’re ugly, though. Borzois have a luscious coat of hair that’s wavy and silky in all the right places!
You can also find pups in black brindle and black/cream if you think solid black doesn’t do the breed’s coat justice.
5. Silken Windhound
Imagine a breed that has the Borzoi’s luscious locks but with a bit more proportionate skull-to-muzzle ratio and a slightly smaller figure. That’s the Silken Windhound.
Are you already in love with this mini-borzoi? Well, there are specialty shows (like the SilkenFest) dedicated to appreciating Silken Windhounds.
Just keep in mind that black isn’t the only coat you’ll see there; the breed comes in all sighthound colors.
6. Rat Terrier
Despite their small size, Rat Terriers still maintain the iconic “hourglass” figure.
That said, the AKC doesn’t recognize solid colors (except white) for this breed. So, if you think a Rat Terrier pup is all black, take a closer look; you might find a small patch of white somewhere.
7. Greyhound
Fun fact: the “grey” in greyhounds doesn’t refer to the coat at all. Instead, it’s derived from “gradus,” which means “first rank.”
So, the breed’s name is a nod to their superiority in racing. There are other opinions about the name’s origin, but none relate to coats.
In fact, these speedy beauties can be black, blue, red, white, or a combination of colors.
8. Italian Greyhound
While the adult male Greyhound averages 65-70 pounds, the Italian Greyhound weighs a measly 7-14 pounds.
So, the Italian Greyhounds are, overall, more slender dogs with a slightly longer life expectancy (14-15 years vs. 10-13 years).
However, they share the Greyhounds’ short, glossy coat and come in black.
9. Whippet
Whippet dogs are somewhere between Greyhounds and Italian Greyhounds in size, but they still maintain the same aerodynamic look.
Although they don’t have the same degree of “nobility” as Greyhounds, they make great family pets.
Yet, it’s worth noting that whippets often need coats or sweaters during the winter since their short hair might not keep them warm enough. It’s a good thing black hair works with a lot of colors!
10. Chippiparai
Chippiparai (sometimes called Kanni) is a breed of scrawny-looking dogs found in south India, with an average weight of 30-71 pounds.
The black pups aren’t solid colored, though. They usually have small white markings above their eyes.
All in all, the ICAR National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources estimates that there are around 6,000 of these dogs.
11. Saluki
Saluki looks a lot like a skinny hound with pigtails, thanks to the long hair over the ears.
Black dogs from this breed might have tan, cream, or white markings on the chest, neck, and face.
However, symmetry is usually a characteristic feature that makes the dogs look even more graceful. After all, they were considered royalty in the Middle East for a reason!
12. Afghan Hound
If the Saluki dogs look like they’re wearing pigtails, then the Afghan hounds have full wigs.
The silky black coat might actually hide how skinny these hounds are!
Surprisingly, these beauties don’t shed as much as you’d expect from a breed with this kind of hair. They do require hours of grooming each week to keep tangles and dirt away, though.
13. Poodle
Just like the Afghan hound, the poodle’s slim figure is well hidden underneath a dense coat. However, this time it’s wiry and curly, making it harder to groom at home.
Plus, there are only a handful of accepted clips for breed shows, and the top two options are the Continental and English Saddle. Either clip can show off some black skin to add elegance to the black cloud-like coat.
14. Russian Toy
Russian toy dogs aren’t only skinny; they’re also one of the smallest breeds out there. Even as adults, they might weigh only 6.5 pounds!
Their double coats aren’t solid black, though. Instead, they often have tan markings around their eyes and nose.
Unfortunately, these charming little pups are prone to dental issues, like many other toy breeds.
15. Chinese Crested
Black Chinese crested dogs usually have a luscious head of white or cream hair called the crest with a matching set of socks. Sometimes, the black skin is broken with pink spotting, too.
Overall, they’re larger than the Russian toy, ranging around 8-12 pounds.
16. Peruvian Inca Orchid
The rare Peruvian Inca Orchid dogs are slim, fast, and ancient—it’s not clear how old they are, but they probably appeared between 3000 BC and 1400 AD. Somehow, they’re still elegant to this day!
However, it’s important to note that these hairless buddies can have one solid color or show some non-pigmented areas. So, don’t be surprised to see light-colored markings on the Peruvian Inca Orchid’s bare black skin.
17. Xoloitzcuintli
Since we’re speaking of ancient, hairless breeds that come in black, we have to mention the Xoloitzcuintli (or Xolo, for short).
These bald pooches aren’t exactly bony but are still lean and elegant. They don’t shed much, either.
All in all, the Xolo might be a good pet for people with allergies, but the breed is a bit rare.
Final Words
If a full (or mostly) black and slim figure is what you’re looking for, then you might want to opt for the Italian Greyhound, Rat Terrier, or Whippet.
There are other black beauties on the list, but they might not be easy to come by.
