Sleek sprinter or stylish trend-setter? We’ll let you decide which term best represents the Saluki. Learn more about this ancient breed’s athleticism, exercise needs, and health. Does your Saluki require a tip-top carer? With Mad Paws, you can find an experienced Pet Sitter in Canberra, Cairns, Perth, and any other Aussie location!
Quick Facts ✔
Height – 58 – 71cm
Weight – 15 – 30kg
Lifespan – 12 – 14 years
Country of origin – Fertile Crescent, possibly modern-day Syria or Iraq
Other names: Gazelle Hound, Persian Greyhound
Breed type – Sighthound
- Active Owners
- Owners with some training experience
- Families with children
Saluki History ♜
There’s no doubt about it: the Saluki is one regal-looking dog. With long feathered ears and tail; a graceful stance; and alert, intelligent stare, you might guess that this dog spent most of their history alongside monarchs and powerful rulers.
Yet, while these dogs would eventually rise to a revered status, the Saluki is really a working dog at heart.
Salukis started out as hunting dogs for nomadic communities in the Middle East some 9,000 years ago. It was a demanding lifestyle. These dogs had to be hardy enough to thrive in a variety of settings, from hot desert sand dunes to rocky mountainous terrain. And they had to be athletic enough to keep up with some of the fastest animals in the region, including desert hare and gazelles.
But the Salukis had a bit of help. To conserve their energy, hunters would load this sprinting doggo onto their horse or camel until the prey had been spotted. And how did they pinpoint the game animals in such an expansive area? With the sharp eyes of trained hawks and falcons.
The hunting party would follow the flight of the hawks until the birds gave the signal that they had seen something below. Then, the relay baton was handed off to the Saluki, who would run at a pace of up 68km/h until they had reached the gazelle.
This hunting method was so effective that it quickly spread throughout the region. Saluki-like dogs pop up on artifacts and in historical records everywhere from India to Egypt. And eventually, the Saluki would be granted a revered status. These dogs were sometimes mummified alongside Pharaohs, while in Muslim communities, Salukis were considered by some to be the only accepted dog for religious families. These feather-eared dogs even make a few appearances in the Bible.
The rest of the world wouldn’t know about this remarkable dog until 1840, when they were brought to England for the first time. For some reason British Dog Owners weren’t impressed the first time around, and it wasn’t until after World War I that the Saluki would gain more world-wide recognition.
Today, Salukis are still a fairly rare breed. They continue to live as hunting and racing dogs, but have also become cherished family pets across the globe.
Saluki Personality Traits ★
This dog has two settings: full gallop or totally zen.
When the Saluki is outside, this dog is boisterous, energetic, and ready for work. They tend to get along well with other dogs and will become quite playful at the dog park. Despite their fragile appearance, Saluki Owners can be fairly sure that this dog can romp around without a risk of injury.
But, even in full play mode, these ancient hunting dogs are always looking out for something to chase. And remember, this dog was bred to sprint at the slightest glimpse of prey. So, it’s important to keep an eye on them or stick to enclosed areas.
Now, how are their people skills? To be sure, a dog with these stunning good looks will draw a crowd wherever they go. But, they’re not wild about being in the spotlight. In fact, they can be quite shy around newcomers; they don’t mean to offend, but they may ignore their adoring fans.
At home, the Saluki will relax into their other mode: totally zen. All this dog wants to do between sprinting sessions is curl up and quietly recover. But, this doesn’t necessarily mean a good cuddle session. Instead, this reserved pup would rather recoup their energy in their own space. They won’t say no to a nice head pat. But too much affection? They will politely decline.
Their gentleness makes this dog a great family pet. With children, the Saluki is patient and careful. And, though they’re tall, they’re not likely to zoom around the house, knocking over children.
With cats and other small animals, proper socialisation will ensure that their prey drive doesn’t kick in. Early exposure is key if you want Salukis to be happy to share their home with small four-legged friends.
Now, how about this rumour about Salukis being aloof? Well, it’s true to an extent. Saluki dogs don’t seek out affection like some other dog breeds. But, they are loyal and can form strong bonds with their family members. They enjoy the company of their Owners, albeit from the comfort of their doggy bed, and they don’t enjoy too much alone time. Overall, Saluki Dog Owners know their pup loves them, even though these dogs are quiet about it.
Saluki Trainability & Training Tips
Sighthounds were bred for their intelligence, instinct, and super athletic abilities. And, that particular mash-up of personality traits can make training a challenge.
For one thing, this dog tends to follow their own senses over the commands of their Owners. A glimpse of potential prey or a far off bird can derail a training session. And, even when you do get their undivided attention, these puppers have a mind of their own.
That said, the Saluki’s intelligence makes them excellent students once they’re engaged in the process. Not only will they learn the basics, but these dogs can learn to be trick-performing showstoppers. And with their speed and grace, they’re great at agility training and obstacle courses.
You don’t have to be a professional dog trainer to teach a Saluki. With treats, patience, and the right setting, you can work on training this smart pup. Here are a couple of tips to training a Saluki:
- Focus on Positive Reinforcement Training. Salukis can be pretty sensitive, so they won’t respond well to harsh reprimands. Instead, focus on rewards for good behaviour, and this intelligent pup will learn in no time.
- Find a distraction-free area. When you’re starting out with training a Saluki, one of the best things you can do is place them in a setting where they won’t be too distracted. Eventually, you can take your training sessions to public spaces so that you can reinforce what they’ve mastered at home.
- Keep training sessions short. Remember that these doggos were bred for short periods of intense work. So, long-drawn out training sessions will probably bore them.
- Don’t let them loose before they’re ready. Only Salukis with excellent recall skills should be left off-leash in public areas.
Exercise Needs & Living Conditions ⌂
As mellow as they can be at home, the Saluki is by no means a mellow dog. In fact, they’re very energetic, and will get into all kinds of mischief if they’re not properly exercised.
But, how are you supposed to exercise a dog that can sprint as fast as a car?
Option one is to let this pupper loose with other dogs. Salukis are always looking for a good chase, and they’ll happily entice other dogs at the dog park to sprint after them. That said, this can still be a bit of a disappointment for a Saluki. After all, not many dogs as the dog park can keep up with them.
That’s why option two would be to let these dogs loose with other Salukis or sighthounds. It’s a joy to watch bands of these golden sprinters galloping at full speed; just make sure you give them enough space to really stretch their legs.
Our third option, and perhaps the most effective, is lure coursing. This modern sport mimics traditional hunting practices by allowing your Saluki to sprint after a fast-moving object. Salukis are excellent at lure coursing, and they absolutely love it.
As intense as these exercise sessions should be, they don’t have to be long. Salukis are sprinters, and can fully deplete their energy reserves after about thirty minutes of work. But, in between, it’s a good idea to get them moving at a slower pace. These dogs will also gladly play fetch in the backyard or engage in a lively game of tug-of-war.
Now, how about living conditions? Well, as you probably noticed, this dog is all skin and muscle. They don’t have an ounce of fat to keep them warm. As such, they may appreciate a nice doggy jacket in the cooler months.
And, with all those sharp angles, make sure that these dogs have plenty of comfy sleeping options around the house. They won’t be comfortable curling up on hard surfaces.
Saluki Grooming ✄
Salukis are wonderfully low-maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming. That short coat doesn’t have much of a doggy smell, and only their ears and tail will need to be combed to prevent tangles. For the rest of their body, you can use a soft-bristled brush about once per week.
The occasional bath, about once every six weeks, can also keep their coat looking beautiful. This might also be a good time to trim the tufts of fur around their feet, although that’s a purely aesthetic choice.
Thanks to the long fur on their ears and tails, parasites can sometimes be an issue for this breed. A quick inspection after every outing is a good way to keep them tick-free.
Beyond coat care, basic grooming should include regular nail trimming, teeth brushing, and ear inspections.
Saluki Health +
Salukis are generally hardy dogs. But they can suffer from some of the following genetic disorders:
- Hypothyroidism
- Various heart and circulatory problems, such as cardiomyopathy and hemangiosarcoma, a type of blood vessel cancer
Additionally, there are some considerations having to do with the Saluki’s low body fat. As we mentioned, these sleek pups can be vulnerable to cold weather conditions and can experience discomfort from lying on hard surfaces. Their lack of body fat can also make them more vulnerable to anaesthesia complications.
Diet is another important factor in Saluki health. This dog is a powerhouse of energy and strength, and they need the right balance of protein and nutrients for top performance. Without a highly nutritious dog meal plan, they can experience issues with muscle and joint development.
Fun Fact about the Saluki ♥
In addition to an aerodynamic build and increased lung capacity, the Saluki has a few tricks for speeding across desert sands.
On the one hand (or should we say paw?), these dogs have what are called hare feet. Much like the desert hare they chased for centuries, the Saluki’s centre toes are slightly elongated, which gives them incredible speed. Other sighthounds also have hare feet, but they’re not the only ones. Any dog bred specifically for speed or agility, including the Aussie Shepherd or Skye Terrier, may have hare feet on one or both sets of paws.
Now, how about the Salukis used for hunting in more rugged terrain? Again, their paws were up to the task. Salukis have more strongly padded feet than most dogs, which is ideal for absorbing impact. Partial webbing and furry tufts between their toes also provide some protection and weight distribution for fast and comfortable sprinting.
And, Saluki Owners throughout the Middle East had another layer of protection for their pup’s powerful paws: henna. This natural and temporary body paint, which hardens when dry, gave the Saluki more stability and protection in harsh, dry conditions.
Final Thoughts on the Saluki
While all dogs have unique qualities from their breeding background, the Saluki is an extreme example of a perfectly adapted hunting dog. Everything about this pup is designed for their ancient history as a sighthound. They’re alert, independent, and above all else, ready to run.
The right Owner for a Saluki should know that this pupper isn’t enthusiastically cuddly. And they won’t be immediately engaged in the training process. Their distractibility and aloofness can be off putting to some potential Owners.
But most importantly, the ideal Saluki Owner is able to give this dog plenty of opportunities to run. Having the chance to do what’s in their blood—sprinting—is absolutely essential. Ideally, this dog will have a chance to gallop alongside other sighthounds, since the average pooch just can’t keep up.
With their exercise and mental stimulation needs met, the Saluki is an easy-to-care-for companion. And Owners fall in love with their unique blend of stoicism and goofiness. With low grooming needs and generally good health, the Saluki is a laid-back, fun, and genuinely wonderful family dog.
