A tall, slender sighthound with beautiful eyes and a muscular build, the saluki is a sleek and agile dog who may not have the top speed of the greyhound, but is streets ahead when it comes to endurance. When he’s not dashing it out on lure courses or charging up and down beaches, across salt pans and hunting fields, the saluki can be found on your couch.
He’s earned the right to sleep where he likes because he’s a very clean and almost odourless dog and makes for a good family member, granted you know how to challenge his intelligence, keep him interested and ensure he gets to run, run and run some more every day.
History
The saluki’s origins go back further than most other dogs’ ancestry. He’s thought to be around 9000 years old, and has a colourful history of hunting with pharaohs, coursing through the sands in the Middle East (and sleeping in Arabian tents – see what we mean by him being clean enough to sleep where he chooses), and livening up the homes of British officers after World War I.
The saluki was a stately dog, favoured by pharaohs, kings and sheiks, but his shape and features haven’t changed much in the last few thousand years. He sports the same intelligent eyes, independent nature, dignified posture and super aerodynamics that he has for the last few centuries. Originating in the Middle East, the saluki was very commonly found in Iran, Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia, but it wasn’t until the mid-1800s that the saluki arrived in the west. After World War I, British soldiers arrived home with these tall, athletic dogs with feathered ears and won the hearts of the English.
Salukis in the UK were bred from stock that came from all over the Middle East, despite there being many saluki kennels in other parts of Europe. It took a long time for the saluki to make it the USA, but since he arrived on American shores, his popularity has remained fairly stable. The Kennel Club (in the UK) recognised the saluki in 1923. The Saluki Club of America was established in 1927 and salukis were officially recognised by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1929.
Temperament
The saluki is graceful, gentle and holds his head in a dignified manner. He is also incredibly independent, stubborn and somewhat more difficult to train than your average working dog, so be prepared to get creative with the obedience and positive reinforcement training. He is very devoted to his humans and loves to always be in the general vicinity of his family – doing everything they do – but he can be quite aloof and wary of strangers. He can handle young children, but always supervise and direct the interaction of especially young children with the saluki. He is very sensitive to the emotional environment in the home and will become stressed out if there is any tension.
Health
The saluki is generally a healthy dog, with the breeding pool being fairly large and varied across the globe. However, he is susceptible to certain breed-specific conditions. These may include:
-
- Anaesthesia sensitivity – The saluki’s low level of body fat and fast metabolism makes him sensitive to anaesthesia, so be sure your vet is aware of this risk before any need for anaesthesia arises.
- Heart conditions – Cardiomyopathy (dilated or hypertrophic); arrhythmia; valve disease.
- Cancer – Various cancers may show up, but salukis are prone to hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the blood vessels and spleen); osteosarcoma; lymphoma; mammary cancer (which can be prevented with spaying before the first heat).
- Gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat)
- Hypothyroidism
Exercise Requirements
The saluki is an incredibly active breed, so he needs access to a large yard with a high fence, as well as regular play and leashed walks to work off his high energy. He needs at least three or four top-speed runs every week to keep him healthy and happy, but make sure this is far away from any traffic or prey animals that may potentially lead him off course. His strong hunting/prey drive can override even the best recall training.
The saluki will benefit from early and consistent socialisation with a range of people and other animals in a variety of different settings and situations. He can get along with other dogs (granted they are submissive and not pushy), but prefers the company of other salukis. The saluki is very intelligent and will benefit from obedience training, but absolutely thrives in canine sports like agility, lure coursing and fly-ball, as these sports exercise both his body and mind.
Grooming Requirements
Despite coming in two different coat types (one short and sleek and the other short and sleek, but with feathering on the ears and tail), both are fairly easy to maintain. Generally the saluki is a very clean dog and meticulous about his own grooming. With little to no doggy odour, all he needs is to be brushed once a week, although sometimes the feathering needs a little more care and attention. His ears can be kept out of his food and water bowls with a tie or a snood. The saluki will only need a bath if he gets dirty outdoors or if he’s going to be shown.
As with all other dogs, the saluki needs regular nail trimming, daily teeth brushing and regular ear checks to rule out any sign of infection.
Ratings
Friendliness to other pets
Friendliness to strangers
Behaviour towards children
Statistics
| Size |
Medium |
| Type |
Hound Group |
| Average adult weight |
24 kg |
| Average adult height |
66 cm |
| Average life span |
13 years |
| Breed family |
|
| Area of origin |
Middle East |
Gallery
Similar breeds
