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Saluki Dogs
Breed Rating (2 Reviews)
| Appearance | |
| Friendliness | |
| Hardiness | |
| Garden |
History
The Saluki is an ancient breed, dating back thousands of years. Despite being around for such a long time, their exact country of origin remains unknown. It is possible that they come from Egypt as mummified remains have been found buried with Pharaohs. They are a sight hound, bred to spot, chase and kill gazelle and hare. The breed is lightning fast, whilst the Greyhound is the fastest breed around they can only maintain this speed for a short distance, the Saluki are a long distance sprinter and are faster overall.
Behaviour
The Saluki is an independent breed, but still caring and loving towards its family. They tend to bond more closely to their main trainer and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. They will get along fine with older children, but cannot stand rough play and aren’t ideal for small children. They like to lead a more laid back, quiet life and will often retreat to a safe, quiet place if things get a little too loud for them. They need lots of socialization, in both puppy and adulthood. The saulki will get on fine with cats and other pets if they are raised together, though their prey drive can never fully be stopped with small animals such as rabbits and other rodents. Due to the fact that they are constantly alert, Salukis make a great watchdog. They are always on the lookout and will alert you if anything is up.
Training a Saluki can be rather hit-or-miss, they can learn quickly but will often choose not to. Sessions should be kept short with lots of positive feedback and rewards. Any harsh words or actions will cause them to draw back and slow down the training process. They like to play, and this can be utilised whilst training for better results. Recall is practically non-existent in, once they spot something they’ll be off with no regard for your frantic cries for them to come back. They need to be walked on a leash or in a very safe, secured area. Salukis were born to run and this is what they like doing the most. Lure-coursing and agility competitions will all help with this need.
They can also make great running/jogging partners, if you have somewhere safe to jog (and if you can keep up with them!). Being so nimble comes with its costs, the Saluki has a very delicate frame and thin skin, remaining that they will need a warm place to sleep and a winter jacket when it gets cold out. They like to get comfy when at home and will happily curl up next to you in bed or on the couch. They can be picky eaters, but at the same time greedy and all food should be hidden away to prevent it being snatched up and eaten.
The Saluki’s short, silky coat can be either smooth or come with feathering on the legs, shoulders and tail. They don’t shed much hair and only require the weekly brush to remove any dead hairs. They are a clean dog that takes good care of themselves, much like a cat. Unlike many breeds, they tend not to get too smelly!
Health Problems
Salukis are a generally healthy breed, but due to their frail build they can be more sensitive to anaesthesia than other breeds. Cardiomyopathy can also sometimes be seen in the breed.
Breed Details
- Status: Common
- Life Expectancy: 12 - 14 years
- Weight: 40 - 60 lbs
- Height: 23 - 28"
- Rare: No
- Coat: Short
- Grooming Requirements: Once a week
- Town or Country: Country
- Minimum Home Size: Large House
- Minimum Garden Size: Large Garden
- Breed Type: Hound
- Size: Large
- Energy Level: Medium
- Exercise Required: Over 2 hours
More to love
Saluki Pictures
Latest Reviews For Saluki (2 of 2)
A breed like no other - Rachel,
I have worked with dogs of all breeds for over a decade and Saluki's are a breed like no other. They are a sensitive breed and will need a very sensitive handler. In addition they are aloof dogs with a high prey drive and are easily distracted. These traits make this breed a not very biddable one and can be hard to train. They are very dramatic at times, and although can enjoy a good lounge, will need lots of room to run. You must like attention if you own this breed as they attract a lot of it. They will be attached mainly to one person although known to be very loving with it's whole family. This is a breed you must research and understand before deciding to bring one into your home.
Saluki info - Charlie, Moray,
If you are thinking of becoming a new Saluki owner and have experience of other dog breeds then be prepared to forget all you know. The Saluki is an independent thinker, not responding to one word commands and recall is not to be relied on. They are classed as aloof and will often attach to one person in the household. They don't like being alone or being apart from their chosen owner. The one rule to remember is in the Saluki world, there are no rules. They get 5 stars for appearance, This breed of dog has elegance and grace. Three stars for friendliness as they can be a bit eager to go into hunting mode with smaller animals. Three stars for hardness as their thin fur with no underfur will have them enjoying jumpers and coats in the cold weather. Two stars for gardens, as if they have no safe open field to run in, they will run the garden, this can trash a lawn and damage plants. They are also very slow to mature.