Origin: Fertile Crescent
Origin of Name: The Saluki is a standardised breed developed from sighthounds.
Size | Temperament | Shedding | Drooling | Monthly keeping cost | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Large | Zero High |
Negligible Hair Everywhere |
Zero Excess |
|
Saluki is one of the oldest breeds of dogs. Experts tell us that Salukis 7000 BC Can go back up to. Like other sighs, the Salukis were special favorites of kings: the Pharaoh of Egypt, Alexander the Great, and through history. The breed today is remarkably similar in shape and personality to its ancient ancestors. We can still marvel at the same attractive lines and natural dignity that thrilled the royal families of the Middle East, Egypt, and Asia before the pyramids were built.
Salukis have two types of coat — feathery and smooth — and both are easily prepared with weekly brushing, although if they have long ears or tail feathers, it may get a bit more attention. Many saluki owners use a snood to take the ears out of the food bowl (smooth salukis do not have that problem). Saluki are very clean dogs and are not known to have the smell of "dog". Bathing is required only when they get dirty or before the dog show.
Saluki will benefit from three types of training: (1) Crate training is recommended for times when the dog needs to be safely confined at home or during travel. (2) Basic obedience training will help the dog to learn manners at home and in the community. Well behaved dogs are welcomed almost everywhere. (3) For mental stimulation and exercise, canine sports such as lure coaching, flyball and agility are all fun options. Finally, if you start when you are young, it is possible to train salukis to keep them stable for nail trimming and daily tooth brushing.
Salukis require regular exercise to stay fit, and daily walks (always on a leash) will help both the hound and the owner stay physically and mentally in shape. Salukis love to run and should have a well-fenced yard to keep them safely away from traffic. Like other dogs, saluki can avoid casters or destructive chewers when bored or unhappy at home, so good fencing and safe toys and chewing bones are essential.
Saluki should perform well on high quality dog food, whether it is commercially manufactured or prepared at home with the supervision and approval of your vet. Any diet should be appropriate for the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Know which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not. Contact your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times. Saluki's hunger can range from stinginess to gluttonous. Dogs with the latter often eat other dogs' food as well as their own, so they may need to be separated at meals to prevent being overweight.
As a breed, Saluki are free from serious genetic diseases. Some people may develop heart conditions such as valve disease or arrhythmia, and enlarged hearts are not unknown. Some cancers can be such as hemangiosarcoma or osteosarcoma, lymphoma, or breast cancer (the latter is prevented by early spaying), and some autoimmune and blood conditions have been reported. Loud running and playing after eating can cause bloating or gastric torsion (which is a life-threatening and requires immediate intervention). Generally, however, Saluki enjoy a healthy, active life from birth to old age.
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club:
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club: