The Saluki is one of the worlds oldest breeds, originating in the Middle East where it was used as a light-footed sighthound to hunt down hare, foxes and gazelle.
These elegant, fine-boned dogs are very similar in form to greyhounds, with long, slender legs, narrow body arched loin and small waist. Their head is long and narrow with large oval-shaped eyes and drop ears. There are two coat types: smooth and feathered, with the latter the more prevalent of the two. The fur on both is soft and silky, with feathered Salukis having long, silky hair on their ears, under their tail, on the back of the legs, thighs and sometimes under the throat. The coat comes in many colours and patterns. Salukis are beautiful and dignified dogs, which are also sensitive and independent. They are devoted to their family, although not demonstratively so, preferring to be in the company of their owners but not demanding their attention. These are quiet and gentle dogs, which are very kind to children and other dogs. Given their hunting instincts, they are not suited to living with other household pets. Salukis can be aloof with strangers and early socialisation is especially important to help prevent timidity and shyness in later life. They require over two hours of exercise every day which should include the chance to run in a secure environment. They are born to chase, so once that instinct has kicked in they can be hard to recall, even with good training, so exercising them in a safe way is especially important. Once back home, this gentle dog loves to lounge and will seek out the warmest, comfiest place to settle down for the day. These are quiet, dignified dogs which suit an equally calm home environment with owners who have ample time to commit to this lovely breed.
History
The Saluki is among the oldest dog breeds and can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, where dogs of this type were depicted on Egyptian tombs. The breed was highly prized by the Bedouins for their speed and ability to hunt down hare, foxes and gazelle over hot desert sands, so much so that they were the only breed of dog allowed to share the Bedouin tents. They were also not permitted to be sold but could be presented as a mark of honour to people, and breeding with non-Salukis was strictly forbidden. Salukis can vary in type and it is believed that this is due to different tribes favouring dogs that were best adapted to hunt in different terrain. It is thought that the name of the breed was based on the ancient city of Saluk in Yemen or possibly the town of Seleucia in Iraq.