Description

The appearance of the Saluki is one of total grace and balance. They have an unusual gait when they are at top speed: all four of their legs are in the air at the same time. It has a slim, greyhound-like body with long silky feathering on the ears and tail. There is also a rarer smooth variety with no feathering. The Smooth coat is generally a bit coarser than the feathered variety's silky coat. The coat comes in black & tan, fawn, white, cream, gold and red, as well as various combinations of these. Salukis with a patch of white in the middle of the forehead are thought by Bedouin tribes to have "the kiss of Allah" and is regarded as special. The head is narrow and well-proportioned, tapering gradually toward the nose. The ears are long and hanging. It has sturdy jaws and large skinny eyes that are either light or dark brown with a sweet, dignified expression. The Saluki's neck is elegant and flexible. Its body is very elongated, with oblique muscular shoulders. The feet are thickly haired between the toes for protection from rough terrain.

Origin

The royal dog of Egypt, the Saluki may be as old as the oldest known civilization. They were named after the Arabian city "Saluki" in the Middle East, which is now vanished beneath the sands. Their bodies were often found mummified like the bodies of the Pharaohs themselves, and their pictures appear in ancient Egyptian tombs dating from 2100 BC. This breed is thought of by the Muslims as a sacred gift of Allah, so these dogs were never sold but only offered as gift of friendship or homage. The Saluki is also known as the Gazelle Hound, Arabian Hound, or Persian Greyhound, and as its appearance suggests, it is probably quite closely related to another ancient breed: the Afghan Hound. It is native to the area from eastern Turkestan to Turkey. The Saluki is a brilliant desert sight hunter capable of incredible speed and agility over rough terrain. The Saluki was used to course gazelle, the fastest of the antelopes. They have also been used to hunt fox, jackal, and hare. In the West, this breed is primarily a companion pet and show dog, although they have also been successful as racing dogs.

Temperament

The Saluki are even-tempered and sensitive. Gentle, affectionate, but not demonstrative. This loyal dog may become attached to one person. Good with gentle older children. They are too slim for roughhousing. The breed can't take harsh discipline or strictness. They can be trained only with love and consistency. This breed will never be perfectly obedient so do not set your expectations too high. Sensitive and friendly, but somewhat aloof, even with his family. They are fairly submissive to dominant people and dogs and are easily distracted and somewhat skittish (especially with other dogs). The Saluki do best with another Saluki. They are a pleasant and calm companion and make a good watchdog. Though not aggressive with people, the Saluki's natural instinct is to chase and kill non-canine animals. This is a proper function and this trait should not be discouraged within the breed. They may need obedience training to keep their deep-rooted hunting instincts under control, however with few exceptions it has proven impossible to train these dogs not to hunt at all. As a result, many pets such as birds, guinea pigs and rabbits are not recommended for Saluki owners. They can be good with cats if the cat is left to its own instinctive abilities.

Height

Height: 23-28 inches (58-71cm.)

Weight

Weight: 29-66 pounds (13-30kg.)

Known Health Problems

The Saluki is prone to some genetic eye diseases and cancer. They can get sunburn especially on the nose.

Conditions for Living

The Saluki is not recommended for apartment life. They are relatively inactive indoors and will do best with acreage. This breed should sleep indoors. Warm temperatures are most comfortable, but very hot weather can be uncomfortable.

Exercise Requirments

The Saluki is a natural athlete that needs a lot of exercise, including however many are lost or killed when they are allowed to get free. This very independent dog can never be off its lead except in an isolated, scouted area. These dogs hunt on sight. They will pay no attention to their handler's calls if they are chasing something. In some countries they are not permitted to be left off of their lead at all. Saluki run at top speeds of 40 mph (55km./h) or more with their feet barely touching the ground. These top speeds are reached in short spurts, but they also have exceptional endurance. They are not great for jogging because they will run faster than humans. An excellent way to exercise them is to trot them alongside your bike.

Life Expectancy

About 10-12 years.

Grooming

This odor-free dog's coat is easy to groom. Just occasionally brush and comb, especially on the longer-haired parts of the dog. The ears should be checked regularly to make sure they are clean. The Saluki is an average shedder.

Group

Southern, AKC Hound