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Saluki Dogs
Breed Rating (2 Reviews)
| Appearance | |
| Friendliness | |
| Hardiness | |
| Garden |
History
Salukis date back thousands of years, but their exact country of origin remains a mystery. One possibility is Egypt as mummified remains have been found, buried with Pharaohs. They are classed as Sight Hounds and were bred to spot, chase and kill gazelle and hare across vast areas with their nomadic tribe owners. The breed is incredibly fast and whilst the Greyhound is the fastest over a short distance, Salukis are long distance sprinters and faster overall.
Behaviour
Salukis are an independent breed but gentle and loving around their family. They have a tendency to bond with one owner more closely and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long. They are fine with older children but cannot tolerate rough play from younger ones. They prefer a quiet life and will often retreat to a safe, quiet place if things get too noisy for them. They are reserved with strangers and can be very shy and timid. They require lots of socialisation, not only as puppies, but as adults too. Salukis are fine with cats and other dogs if raised with them, but their prey drive cannot be stopped with small furry creatures such as rabbits and other rodents. They are alert dogs and make good watch dogs, but aren't at all aggressive. When training a Saluki, keep sessions short and positive. They can learn quickly, but usually choose not to. They are independent minded and can be very stubborn. They react best to kind, reward based training. Harsh words/actions will force them to shut down and become more timid. Using play and a variety of training methods will make things easier and produce better results. Forget recall, if they spot something, nothing will bring them back. They will need walking on a lead or in a very safe area. Being born to run, this is a fundamental need for Salukis and they love it. Lure coursing and agility help fulfil this need and excite the dog. They also make good running partners if you can keep up with them. Due to their thin skin and delicate frame, Salukis need extra soft bedding, somewhere warm and comfortable to sleep. They will also need a warm winter jacket when it's cold outside. They will sleep on your bed and sofa and they love to cuddle up to you. Salukis can be picky eaters, but also greedy so make sure that you don't leave anything on the kitchen worktops. They will find a way to get to it.
Salukis have a short silky coat which can be smooth or have feathering on the legs, shoulders and tail. They don't shed that much and only require a weekly brush to remove dead hair. They rarely smell and are good at keeping themselves clean; almost cat like. They are a healthy breed, but are sensitive to anaesthesia. Cardiomyopathy is sometimes seen on the bred.
Breed Details
- Status: Common
- Life Expectancy: 12 - 14 years
- Weight: 18 - 27 kg
- 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.