| The Saluki is one of the noblest of all hounds, and | | | | used by the nomadic Bedouins to hunt for food. |
| one of the most ancient, being many hundreds of | | | | Its expression is âdignified and gentle with |
| years old, and possibly thousands. It is regarded as | | | | deep, faithful, far-seeing eyes.â It is sensitive |
| the original stock from which many other breeds in | | | | and intelligent, but if it is off its leash outdoors, do |
| the west have sprung. This breed is considered by | | | | not expect it to come when called, especially if there |
| many to be the oldest in the world, and is thought to | | | | is a gazelle in sight. |
| be the oldest purebred dog in recorded history. | | | | This is one of the most beautiful and graceful of |
| The Saluki is the royal dog of Egypt and may be as | | | | dogs, but its beauty is best appreciated when running |
| old as human civilisation. Their mummified bodies have | | | | in full stride. |
| been found alongside the Pharaohs and their pictures | | | | The Saluki is very gentle with children and can be a |
| appear in ancient Egyptian tombs dating from 2100 | | | | friend with undying loyalty. |
| BC. Carvings of greyhound-type dogs with the | | | | Overall the Saluki is a loving, elegant, intelligent and |
| breed's distinctive feathered ears, legs and tail were | | | | loyal dog that may be right for you if you have the |
| even found in Sumerian ruins dated around 7,000 B.C. | | | | time and commitment that it takes to owning this |
| The Saluki resembles the Greyhound in stature, and | | | | wonderful breed of dog. However, some do say that |
| has been called the 'Persian Greyhound.' | | | | they are not overly affectionate when kept within a |
| It is thought to have been introduced to Europe by | | | | family. |
| the Celts, who used the breed in hunting. Related to | | | | The Saluki is still found in all parts of the Arabian |
| the Afghan Hound, and a close cousin to the Arabian | | | | Peninsula, North Africa and most countries in western |
| Greyhound, the Saluki has always been highly prized | | | | Asia, but in fewer numbers than in the past. The |
| by Arab peoples for the breed's ability to follow their | | | | breed is going the way of the Bedouins. It is an |
| horses, and its skill at hunting gazelle with falcons. | | | | animal of the wide open spaces, which is being |
| They are hunters and can gallop after prey at 40 | | | | crowded out by civilization. |
| miles per hour. They have the ability to more be than | | | | The Saluki is a prime hunting machine and weapon; his |
| a match to small gazelle and similar creatures over | | | | natural born instincts give him a strong desire to run |
| rough desert terrain. It makes a great desert sight. A | | | | down and catch whatever he sees moving. Of |
| hunter capable of incredible speed and agility over | | | | course, these instincts can get him into trouble if he's |
| rough terrain. The breed was even used to course | | | | turned off lead in the wrong place at the wrong time. |
| gazelle, the fastest of the antelopes. The so let us | | | | His coat is short, with silky feathers on his ears, legs, |
| round off by saying that this is a hound of great | | | | and curving tail. The Saluki is an average shedder and |
| beauty and elegance which carries itself regally. | | | | does not have a doggy smell. |
| The Saluki is not angular like its cousin, the Afghan | | | | Their coat colors range from pure black to reddish, |
| Hound. The breed has a gracefully made look, and is | | | | brownish, tan, white and tri-color (white-black-tan). |
| pleasingly symmetrical, with a powerful rear and | | | | Nowadays in the United States, Salukis are mostly |
| hocks low to the ground which gives it the jumping | | | | feathered; however, the Bedouin tribes valued each |
| and turning ability it needs to make it the top top | | | | type equally and often cross bred the Feathered and |
| coursing hound it is. It is a medium-sized breed. | | | | Smooth-haired types. Coat must develop naturally. |
| The Saluki is a very intelligent dog that is quick to | | | | The Saluki is a recognised American Kennel Club |
| learn and respond to positive training. Due to their | | | | breed. |
| intelligence level, however, these magnificent canines | | | | Early training and socialization are important so they |
| can quickly become bored with having to repeat | | | | do not develop into excessively shy or cautious |
| repetitive tasks. | | | | animals. These are proud animals, but sensitive too. |
| The Saluki is a healthy breed which rarely suffers any | | | | Early and constant socialization and training is a must |
| congenital problems. The biggest concern with them | | | | with this headstrong breed, as they will tend to want |
| is their sensitivity to anesthesia as a result of their | | | | to make their own decisions unless taught otherwise. |
| low levels of body fat. | | | | But with the right understanding and owner |
| They grow to reach 23-28 ins in height at 29 to 66 | | | | commitment they can make great pets. |
| lbs, yet are rather lean. It is a pack animal and was | | | | |