Short-haired Saluki

Reserved with strangers, but not nervous or aggressive. Dignified, intelligent and independent.

Salukis vary in type and the variation is desired and typical for the breed. The reason for the variation is the special place held by the Saluki in the Arab tradition and the immense size of the Middle East area where the Saluki has been used as a hound of the chase for thousands of years. Originally each tribe had Salukis best suited for hunting the particular game in its own area, but by Middle East tradition, Salukis are not bought or sold but presented as marks of honour. It follows that those presented as such to Europeans and brought to Europe came from a wide variation of terrain and climate and vary accordingly. The British 1923 standard was the first official European breed standard for the Saluki and was drawn up to cover all these original types of Saluki.

Daily exercise is essential, preferably in the form of free running in a safe, enclosed area. The Saluki's needs can also be met with long leash walks or jogging. Salukis should sleep inside and they do best as indoor dogs with access to a yard. They can play in snow and cold weather but should not be expected to spend extended time in the cold. The Saluki must have a soft bed, or he could develop callouses. A Saluki in proper weight is naturally thin; however, this breed tends to be a picky eater, which can result in a very thin-looking dog. Many people not familiar with the Saluki wrongly assume that the dog is not being fed properly! The smooth coat needs only occasional brushing to remove dead hair, but the feathered coat needs combing once or twice a week to prevent matting.

Salukis are a high-energy breed and natural athlete. They require a great deal of exercise. They are not suited for apartment living. Although they are somewhat inactive indoors, it is of vital importance the Saluki be given room to run. Yards must be highly and securely fenced and the Saluki must be kept stimulated. If they become bored they will dig. The Saluki must be securely leashed when on walks. The highest danger to this breed is the possibility of being hit by a vehicle. The hunting instinct may lead them to give chase to anything they perceive as prey. The Saluki is capable of reaching speeds of up to 50 mph., and while at full run they will not respond to their master.

Attention, exercise, socialization, a fence and training.

The Saluki's coat is easy to care for. They require occasional combing and brushing, particularly on the feathered areas. Their ears need regular cleaning and inspection. In some cases this breed may be finicky about eating and will skip meals. Though they eat smaller portions, it is important to report loss of appetite to a veterinarian if this lasts more than 48 hours. The Saluki does not tolerate any type of anesthetic agents. They are also prone to bloating, hip dysplasia, skin problems, and cataracts.

The training of this dog must be done by a person with experience, because it is not very submissive. With a firm, consequent training, without being hard or severe, good results can be achieved.

The fur of this dog needs a casual brushing, more powerful in the areas with longer hair. The ears must be kept clean.

The Saluki's instinct is to chase and kill fleeing mammals. As a result, many pets, such as rabbits, are not recommended for Saluki owners. Can be good with family cats, especially indoors, if raised with them. The Saluki loves to run. Many are lost or ki