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History
The Royal dog of Egypt, the Saluki may be as old as the oldest known civilization. His body was often found mummified like the bodies of the Pharaohs themselves and his picture appears in ancient Egyptian tombs dating from 2100 BC. This breed is thought of by the Muslims as a sacred gift from Allah, so these dogs were never sold but only offered as gifts of friendship or homage. The Saluki is a brilliant desert sight hunter capable of incredible speed and agility over rough terrain. The Saluki was used to course gazelle, the fastest of the antelopes. He has also been used to hunt fox, jackal and hare. In the West, this breed is primarily an elegant companion, pet and show dog, although he has also been successful as a racing dog.
Description
The Saluki has a slim, graceful, greyhound-like body with long silky feathering on the ears and tail. (There is also a rarer smooth variety with no feathering. The smooth's coat is generally a bit coarser than the feathered variety's silky coat.) The head is long and narrow. Ears are pendant. The long curved tail is set low. The neck is long and flexible and the chest is fairly narrow but deep. A dog of elegant lines. The feet are thickly haired between the long toes for protection from rough terrain. The coat is smooth, soft, and silky, and comes in many colors: white, cream, fawn, gold, red, grizzle and tan, black and tan, and tricolor. Odor free.
Talents
Hunting, sighting, tracking, watchdog, racing, and lure coursing.
Personality
Gentle, affectionate, but not demonstrative. Sensitive and friendly, but somewhat aloof, even with his family. Good with gentle older children. Fairly submissive to dominant people and dogs. Very independent—does best with another Saluki as a companion. A pleasant and serene companion and a good watchdog, though not aggressive. Graceful and elegant. A natural athlete.
Behavior
Children: Best with older, considerate children.
Friendliness: Reserved with strangers.
Trainability: Somewhat difficult to train.
Independence: Very independent.
Dominance: Low.
Other Pets: May be aggressive with dogs of the same sex; do not trust with non-canine pets.
Combativeness: Friendly with other dogs.
Noise: Average barker.
Notes
The Saluki's instinct is to chase and kill. This is his proper function and this trait should not be discouraged within the breed. As a result, many pets such as tropical birds, rabbits, etc. are not recommended for Saluki owners. Can be good with cats if the cat is left to its own instinctive devices. The Saluki loves to run. Many are lost or killed because children accidentally leave a door or gate open. A Saluki can never be off lead except in an isolated, scouted area. Needs lots of exercise but not great for jogging. Runs faster than humans. Easily distracted and somewhat skittish, especially when confronted with another dog. Too slim for kid's roughhousing. Warm temperatures are most comfortable; very hot weather can be uncomfortable.
Grooming
Grooming: A little grooming needed.
Trimming & Stripping: No trimming or stripping needed.
Coat: Feathered coat.
Shedding: Average shedder.
Exercise: Vigorous daily exercise needed.
Jogging: A good jogging companion.
Indoors: Relatively inactive indoors.
Apartments: Not recommended for apartments.
Outdoor Space: Best with acreage.
Climate: Prefers warm climates.
Owner: Not recommended for novice owners.
Longevity: Average (10 to 12 years).
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