The small yet hardy Saluki, one of the oldest breeds in the world, served as the royal hunting hound for a very long time. Sprinters with great agility and speed, Salukis like a good chase. They make kind, respectable, independent, and devoted pets. For countless years, people have marveled at the Saluki’s beauty. Like superb athletes or dancers, they are lean and slender, yet they are also tremendously strong and wonderfully balanced. Females can be significantly shorter than males, who can stand between 23 and 28 inches tall at the shoulder. They come in a variety of hues and designs. They have warm, perceptive eyes with an oval shape. Salukis are incredibly tolerant and can survive and thrive in any environment. Although they are wonderful creatures, owning them presents numerous unique difficulties.
Saluki
dignified / gentle / independent-minded
Hound Group >>
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
23-28 inches (male)
considerably smaller (female)
Weight
40-65 pounds
Life Expectancy
40-65 pounds
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!
Energy Level
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.
Barking Level
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a Saluki
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
Salukis as a breed is immune to severe genetic disorders. Some people may acquire cardiac disorders including arrhythmia or valve disease, and enlarged hearts are not uncommon. A few autoimmune and blood diseases, as well as some cancers like hemangiosarcoma or osteosarcoma, lymphoma, or breast cancer (the latter of which is protected by early spaying), have been documented. After eating, vigorous exercise such as running or playing can result in stomach torsion, a life-threatening condition that requires prompt medical attention. However, Salukis typically live healthy, active lives from birth into old age.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Thyroid Evaluation
- Cardiac Exam
Grooming
Both the smooth and feathered coats that Salukis have can be readily handled with a weekly brushing, though if they have lengthy ear or tail feathering, it may require a little more care. Snoods are frequently used by Saluki owners to prevent ear feathering from getting into the food bowl (smooth Salukis do not have this issue). Salukis are recognized for not having a "doggy" stench and being exceptionally clean canines. Only when they get dirty or before a dog show do they need to be bathed.
Exercise
Daily walks (always on a leash) will assist both the hound and the owner stay in shape physically and mentally. Salukis need frequent exercise to stay fit. Salukis should have a securely enclosed yard because they enjoy running and should be kept away from moving vehicles. In order to prevent Salukis from becoming escape artists or destructive chewers when bored or unhappy at home, it is essential to have proper fences, safe toys, and chew bones.
Training
Three different methods of training will be beneficial for Saluki: (1) Crate training is advised for when the dog needs to be safely confined within the house or while traveling. (2) The dog will learn etiquette in the house and the neighborhood with the aid of basic obedience training. Nearly everywhere welcomes well-behaved dogs. (3) Canine activities like lure coursing, flyball, and agility are all entertaining choices for brain stimulation and fitness. Last but not least, Salukis can be trained to stand still for daily tooth brushing and nail trimming if you start when they are young.
Nutrition
The Saluki should thrive on premium dog food, whether it is produced commercially or is made at home under the guidance and consent of your veterinarian. Any diet should be suitable for the age of the dog, whether it is a puppy, adult, or senior. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible. Salukis have a wide spectrum of appetites, from frugal to gluttonous. Dogs with the latter will frequently consume both their own food and that of other dogs, thus it may be necessary to segregate them at mealtimes to prevent them from gaining weight.
History
One of the oldest dog breeds is the Saluki. Salukis, according to experts, may have existed as early as 7000 B.C. Like other sighthounds, Salukis were a particular favorite of royalty throughout history, including the pharaohs of Egypt and Alexander the Great. The modern breed is quite close to its prehistoric ancestors in terms of appearance and temperament. Since before the Pyramids were constructed, royal families of the Middle East, Egypt, and Asia have been enthralled by the same slender lines and unmistakable dignity, which we can still admire.