Saluki

The graceful and beautiful Saluki is usually quiet indoors, but is active outdoors and needs serious exercise. This dog is fast. Because of his independent nature, training him takes patience and humor. He is devoted to his owner and does not usually warm up to strangers.

Saluki breed facts

The Saluki, royal dog of Egypt, is perhaps the oldest known breed of domesticated dog, identified by some historians as "a distinct breed and type as long ago as 329 B.C. when Alexander the Great invaded India."

Salukis were widespread and appeared in Egypt were they were held in such great esteem that its body was often mummified like the bodies of the Pharaohs themselves.

Information you should know before owning a Saluki

The Saluki is an active breed who likes the outdoors. The Saluki should never be left off a leash or let to roam outside of a fenced yard.

The Saluki shows great attachment for his owner; he is an affectionate dog who thrives in families where he is the focus of attention.

The Saluki, royal dog of Egypt, is perhaps the oldest known breed of domesticated dog. They are identified by some historians as "a distinct breed and type as long ago as 329 B.C. when Alexander the Great invaded India." Earliest known carvings look more like Salukis than any other breed: they have a Greyhound body with feathered ears, tail and legs. This same exact hound also appears on the Egyptian tombs of 2100 B.C. and again in more recent excavations of the Sumerian empire, estimated at 7000-6000 B.C. The Saluki was so esteemed that his body was often mummified like the bodies of the Pharaohs themselves. The remains of numerous specimens have thus been found in the ancient tombs of the Upper Nile region.

As the desert tribes were nomadic, the habitat of the Saluki comprised the entire region from the Caspian Sea to the Sahara. Naturally the types varied somewhat in this widely scattered area-mostly in size and coat.

Salukis were first brought into England in 1840 and were known as Persian Greyhounds. There was no real interest until the Hon. Florence Amherst imported the first Arabian Saluki in 1895 from the kennels of Prince Abdulla in Transjordania.

Having tremendous speed, the Saluki was used by Arabs principally in bringing down the gazelle. In England, the dog was used largely on hares. Regular coursing meets are held with judging based on ability to turn quickly and over take the hare in the best possible time. The Saluki hunts largely by sight although he has a fair nose.

The Saluki was a well-established breed in England for a number of years before he began to come into his own in this country. It was not until November 1927 that the breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Large
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	Over 2 hours a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Short
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	Once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Country
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Large garden

	General Appearance Gives impression of grace, symmetry and of great speed and endurance, coupled with strength and activity.
	Characteristics Great variation in type due to wide geographical area of origin. There are both feathered and smooth varieties. The expression should be dignified and gentle with faithful far-seeing eyes. Light flowing movement.
	Temperament Reserved with strangers but not nervous or aggressive. Dignified, intelligent and independent.
	Eyes Dark to hazel, bright, large and oval, not prominent.
	Mouth Teeth and jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
	Neck Long, supple and well muscled.
	Forequarters Shoulders sloping and set well back, well muscled without being coarse. Chest deep and moderately narrow, when viewed from front not an inverted V. Forelegs straight and long from elbow to wrist. Pasterns strong and slightly sloping. Not round boned. Humerus sloping slightly backwards.
	Body Back fairly broad, muscles slightly arched over loin, but never roached backed. Brisket long and deep, not barrel-ribbed or slab-sided, with good cut up. Sufficient length of loin important.
	Hindquarters Strong hip bones set wide apart. Stifle moderately bent with well developed first and second thigh. Hocks low to ground.
	Feet Strong, supple, of moderate length, toes long and well arched, not splayed out, but at the same time not cat footed. Feathered between the toes (except the smooth variety). Front feet may point outwards at a very slight angle when standing.
	Tail Set on low from long and gently sloping pelvis. Carried naturally in curve. Well feathered on underside but not bushy. In adults not carried above line of back except in play. Tip reaching to hock.
	Gait / Movement Gives impression of grace, symmetry and of great speed and endurance, coupled with strength and activity.
	Coat Smooth and of soft silky texture, feathering on legs and back of thighs, puppies may have slight woolly feathering on thighs and shoulders. Feathering may occur on throat. In the smooth variety the coat is the same but without feathering.
	Colour Any colour or combination of colours permissible, other than brindle.
	Size dogs: 58-71 cms (23-28 ins) at shoulders; bitches: proportionately smaller.