Expectations
Weight: Male: 20-30 kg / Female: 15-20 kg
Height: Male: 68 cm / Female: 60 cm
Bred to: Hunt
Exercise: Moderate. They love to run and should be given the opportunity to do so.
Energy Level: Laid back, relaxed.
Age: 10-15 yrs.
Tendency to drool: Low
Tendency to bark: Low
Attention Needs: Moderate
Grooming: A weekly brush will suffice. For the feathered Salukis the ears and tail might need more attention. Salukis are known to be clean and not have a dog smell.
The Saluki
One of the oldest known breeds of dogs, the Saluki. More than 5000 years ago the Saluki became domesticated and took its place as companion for the people within the Arabian Peninsula. Salukis are fast, intelligent, and loyal, which made them ideal partners for hunting and guarding.
The Saluki is an elegant dog. They have a long and narrow body with a high and flat chest. Their waist is slender and lean. They have skinny and long legs. The face is dolichocephalic (long face) and they have naturally floppy ears. The eyes are almond shaped. All colors are allowed within the breed, so they come in many colors like black and tan, red, fawn, white, gold, cream, grizzle and tricolor. The coat can be either short and smooth, or feathered. Feathered Salukis will have long silky fur on their tail, ears, thighs and back of the legs.
Salukis are sprinters and can reach speeds of up to 75 km per hour. This makes them excellent hunting and racing dogs. Salukis are often used as a part of falconry hunting, and together with the falcon they make a great hunting team. The falcon in the air will alert the Saluki when it spots a prey on the ground so they can go and catch it. And when the falcon wounds prey in the air, the Saluki will go and retrieve it. Besides hunting, the speed of the Saluki makes them a favorite for dog races. Saluki races are still being held during heritage festivals.
Character
Salukis are great companions. They are loyal and get really attached to their humans. They are sweet, affectionate and love to be petted. The Saluki is gentle with children, quiet at home, and good with other dogs. They tend to be cool and distant to strangers, and can even be shy. While being good watch dogs, Salukis are usually not aggressive but will watch their own. Salukis need to be properly socialized, like all dogs, else they can become destructive. Living with a Saluki is never boring. They are fun and will surprise you time and time again.
The Saluki is intelligent and sensitive and won’t do well with harsh treatment. To stay happy, a Saluki needs to be taken out every day so they can walk and run. Most Salukis are not to be trusted off leash though, as they are hunters and will go after anything they consider a prey. At home they love to lounge on a soft bed or pillow. If you plan on letting your Saluki in the garden, make sure the fence is high enough as they are amazing jumpers.
Health
The Saluki is a healthy breed and is free from serious genetic illnesses. Some illnesses are seen more within the breed like heart conditions, bloat and certain cancers. Generally though, most Salukis will live a long and healthy life. Even though the Saluki is a healthy breed, it’s always advised to start a savings account for your Saluki in case they ever need medical attention.
Saluki facts
- With archeology evidence dating back at least 5000 years, it’s one of the oldest known breeds of dogs.
- Salukis are part of the Hound Group.
- Salukis are sighthounds. This is because when hunting they rely on their eyesight instead of their nose.
- The Saluki has great stamina and strength and are bred to chase prey over long distances and on difficult ground.
- To prevent injuries, henna or nut oil was applied to the dog’s feet before hunting.
- The fastest dog breed is the Greyhound, but the Saluki takes the second place.
- In 1996 a Saluki was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as being the fastest dog. This Saluki was capable of reaching a speed of 68.8 km/h.
Adopt don’t shop
Did this article spark your interest, and would you love to foster or adopt a Saluki? There are many Salukis waiting for their forever family at rescue organizations. Below are the links to two local rescue organizations who rescue and rehome Salukis. They also do international adoptions. They would love to advise you when it comes to adopting or fostering a Saluki and will have the knowledge to pair you with one of their Salukis based on their character. Click on the links below for more information.
Saluki Rescue Arabia
https://www.salukirescuearabia.org/
House of Hounds UAE
The Saluki
The national dog of the UAE. These gorgeous, elegant, and amazing dogs can be a great addition to families who are looking to add a dog to their family. By providing more information about this wonderful breed, we hope that the Salukis that are currently waiting to be adopted, will have more chances of finding their forever family. Our pet sitters and dog walkers would love to take care of your Saluki if you are busy with work or traveling and will take care of them like it’s their own. Would you like to know more about our dog walking, dog sitting, and dog training in Dubai we would love to help. Feel free to contact us and our team will be glad to help.