Saluki

Although the breed appears graceful and fragile, don’t be fooled – the Saluki is an avid hunter and possesses the strength and endurance to chase quarry over long distances and difficult terrain. Today, this sight hound is popular at lure coursing events and in the show ring. Salukis can be coated (with feathering on the legs) or smooth. In both varieties, colors include white, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle and tan, tricolor, and black and tan.

A Look Back
The royal dog of Egypt, the Saluki is perhaps the oldest known breed of domesticated dog. They were held in such great esteem that their bodies were often mummified like the bodies of the Pharaohs themselves. The breed was originally used by the Arabs to track and bring down gazelle, the fastest of the antelopes. When the Saluki was first imported to England in 1840, they were used primarily to hunt hare.

Right Breed for You?
Independent and cat-like, the Saluki is a typical hound – he can be taught obedience, but requires patience and consistency from his owner. The breed will instinctively run after anything that moves, so they must be kept on leash or in a fenced area during their daily exercise. A clean breed, Saluki coats shed little, but they still require weekly brushing and occasional bathing.

If you are considering purchasing a Saluki puppy,learn more here.

Hound Group; AKC recognized in 1929.

Ranging in size from 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder; females are smaller.

Gazelle hunter.

© The American Kennel Club, Inc.

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Saluki Breed Standard

Hound Group

Head
Long and narrow, skull moderately wide between the ears, not domed, stop not pronounced, the whole showing great quality. Nose black or liver. Ears Long and covered with long silky hair hanging close to the skull and mobile. Eyes Dark to hazel and bright; large and oval, but not prominent. Teeth Strong and level.

Neck
Long, supple and well muscled.

Chest
Deep and moderately narrow.

Forequarters
Shoulders sloping and set well back, well muscled without being coarse. Forelegs Straight and long from the elbow to the knee.

Hindquarters
Strong, hipbones set well apart and stifle moderately bent, hocks low to the ground, showing galloping and jumping power.

Loin and Back
Back fairly broad, muscles slightly arched over loin.

Feet
Of moderate length, toes long and well arched, not splayed out, but at the same time not cat-footed; the whole being strong and supple and well feathered between the toes.

Tail
Long, set on low and carried naturally in a curve, well feathered on the underside with long silky hair, not bushy.

Coat
Smooth and of a soft silky texture, slight feather on the legs, feather at the back of the thighs and sometimes with slight woolly feather on the thigh and shoulder.

Colors
White, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle and tan, tricolor (white, black and tan) and black and tan.

General Appearance
The whole appearance of this breed should give an impression of grace and symmetry and of great speed and endurance coupled with strength and activity to enable it to kill gazelle or other quarry over deep sand or rocky mountains. The expression should be dignified and gentle with deep, faithful, far-seeing eyes. Dogs should average in height from 23 to 28 inches and bitches may be considerably smaller, this being very typical of the breed.

The Smooth Variety
In this variety the points should be the same with the exception of the coat, which has no feathering.