Saluki

Size
Medium (11kg - 27kg)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Puppy school only
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Weekly
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

1. Submitted by Chantal Parratt. Grantulla

History

One of the oldest dog breeds in the world, the proud and noble Saluki is originally from Mesopotamia. The breed belongs to the gazehound family, hunting game by sight rather than smell.

Known as the ancient hunting hound of the Middle East, the Saluki was an indispensable hunting companion to nomadic Bedouin tribes.

Egyptian tombs and Assyrian temples depict the Saluki as early as 5000 BC. Excavations of the ancient Sumerian Empire suggest this breed has remained physically unchanged in appearance for possibly 7000 years.

The Saluki doesn’t have a single country of origin, as it was found throughout Iran, Iraq, Turkey and the Arabian Peninsula. The breed was introduced to Europe in the 12th century by troops returning from the Crusades.

Characteristics

As an archetype gazehound, the Saluki must possess the characteristics that allow it to perform its original function. Variation is a key trait in this breed and its characteristics will depend on the type of terrain and quarry it was bred for. The ideal Saluki has a deep chest, fine waist, low hocks, broad hindquarters, a bladed bone and hare-like feet. There are both smooth and feathered varieties of the Saluki, judged together as one breed.

The breed must move with efficiency and speed, exhibiting more of a gallop rather than a trot. Its speed is phenomenal. Once it starts to walk and gain speed, its paws appear to never touch the ground – a legacy from its history of hunting agile gazelles and rabbits.

It should appear effortless, light, smooth, lifting and flowing, showing both reach and drive. Viewed from front or rear, the breed’s limbs converge to a centre line of travel, but do not single track at a slow trot. Front and rear extension must be balanced, with no side stepping, crossing or interfering. Gait should be evaluated at a moderate pace. The head is carried elegantly, forward from the vertical, creating a graceful, flowing line from nose to tail.

Temperament

Strikingly beautiful, intelligent and affectionate, the Saluki will rule the roost if given half a chance. It’s hard to go past the breed’s feathered or smooth coat. The breed can sometimes be described as aloof and arrogant, which can make Obedience training a challenge – patience is paramount. It really enjoys Agility, if it can be on its terms.

Appearance

The Saluki is an elegant endurance hound with functional athleticism. Almost alone among the breeds, Salukis vary enormously in type and each type is correct.

From the smallest to the biggest, and almost square to longer than tall, each type complies with the general appearance without exaggeration or coarseness. The key word for this breed is moderate; if any feature stands out there is something out of balance. Feathering can be profuse or fairly sparse. The smooth variety has no guard hairs and any colour or combination is permissible.

Height should average 58-71cm, bitches proportionately smaller.

Maintenance

The Saluki is a short-coated breed. It requires bathing just the same as other short-coated pets and the feathered Saluki needs a pin brush regularly to detangle the knots around the ears, backs of the legs and tail.

A daily walk or run is essential, but if there are other dogs in the family it will quite often exercise itself with other dogs. A fully fenced backyard is recommended as the Saluki can jump quite high.

Health

In general, the Saluki is a healthy dog, but hypothyroidism may affect the breed at times.

There may also be a little thinning of the hair on the buttocks in some dogs. The primary health concern of a Saluki, as with other sighthounds, is its sensitivity to certain anaesthetic agents. Some anaesthetic agents rely on body fat to dissipate the drug. In breeds with little fat storage, these types of anaesthetic agents tend to take longer to dissipate, resulting in difficulty for the Saluki to wake up.

Overall, the Saluki is sound in health and has an average life expectancy of approximately 12 to 14 years.

Whether you are looking to add a Saluki or other breed to your family, it’s always wise to purchase a puppy from an ethical registered breeder who tests their breeding stock for any health problems.

Words: Cathy Smith
Image: Shutterstock.com

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Saluki you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Saluki and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 23 Jan 2015)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

The whole appearance of this breed should give an impression of grace and symmetry and of great speed and endurance coupled with strength and activity to enable it to kill gazelle or other quarry over deep sand or rocky mountain. The expression should be dignified and gentle with deep, faithful, farseeing eyes.

Characteristics

(Not detailed.)

Temperament

(Not detailed.)

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head long and narrow; skull moderately wide between ears, not domed, the stop not pronounced, the whole showing great quality. Nose black or liver.
Eyes	Dark to hazel and bright, large and oval, but not prominent.
Ears	Long and mobile, covered with long silky hair; hanging close to the skull.
Mouth	Teeth strong and level.
Neck	Long, supple and well muscled.
Forequarters	Shoulders sloping and set well back, well muscled without being coarse. The chest deep and moderately narrow. The forelegs straight and long from the elbow to the knee
Body	Back fairly broad, muscles slightly arched over the loin.
Hindquarters	Strong, hip bones set wide apart, and stifle moderately bent, hocks low to the ground, showing galloping and jumping power.
Feet	Of moderate length, toes long, and well arched, not splayed out, but at the same time not cat footed; the whole being strong and supple and well feathered between the toes.
Tail	Long, set on low and carried naturally in a curve, well feathered on the underside with long silky hair, not bushy.
Gait/Movement	(Not detailed.)
Coat	Smooth and of a soft silky texture; slight feather on the legs; feather at the back of the thighs; sometimes with slight woolly feather on thigh and shoulders. (In the Smooth variety the points should be the same with the exception of the coat which has no feathering.)
Colour	White, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle and tan, tricolour (white, black and tan) and black and tan, or variations of these colours.
Size	Height:Dogs 58-71 cms (23-28 ins).Bitches proportionately smaller.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.