Saluki

Overall description of the breed

The Saluki is one of the oldest breeds of domestic dogs we know, originating from the Middle East, where it is still quite present today. The ancestors of the Saluki were discovered as early as 3,000 years BC through multiple paintings, sculptures, and poems, notably on many Egyptian tombs where dog breeds resembling greyhounds were depicted.

During that time, the Saluki spread throughout the entire Middle East, from the Mediterranean Sea to the borders of Iran, and was primarily used as a hunter due to its endurance and great speed. Considered a sacred animal, it was offered by Eastern tribes as a sign of respect and peace, particularly towards European peoples. The Persian Greyhound became a distinct breed in the United Kingdom in 1840, noted for its unique appearance, which led to significant popularity.

A few years later, in England, the breed standard was established by the first official breed club, precisely in 1923. It wasn't until April 8, 1966, that the International Cynological Federation officially registered it, and the currently applicable standard was published on October 25, 2000.

The Saluki possesses the typical morphology of a greyhound, of medium size, with elegant and slender lines. It benefits from a harmonious and balanced structure, incorporating all the physical characteristics of the perfect sprinter. Tall and slender, it still retains a developed and powerful musculature, enabling it to achieve quite high top speeds.

Its bone structure is fine but solid, with a well-developed chest and a deep chest. Its ribs are nicely arched, and its belly is tucked up. Its backline is short and compact, with a slight curve in the lower back, hinting at a powerful hindquarters. Its head is proudly held, narrow and deep, with a moderately long muzzle. The stop is non-existent, and its ears are of good length, wide, and covered in abundant fringes of hair. Hanging low, its tail is long and discreetly curved at the tip, also covered in long hair fringes.

The Saluki's coat is soft and shiny. There are two distinct varieties: the short and the long coat. The latter is adorned with long fringes on the lower limbs, ears, and neck. All colors and shades are allowed by the breed standard, except brindle.

The Persian Greyhound has a peaceful and discreet character. Attached to its owners, it shows little affection and tends to be rather independent in daily life. However, this doesn't prevent it from enjoying moments of sharing with its masters. Playful and dynamic, the Saluki enjoys games that challenge its intelligence, scent, or speed, such as tracking or racing games.

Naturally cautious, it doesn't easily give its trust. Time and patience are necessary for it to feel comfortable in the presence of someone it doesn't know well. Its preferred domain is hunting. Selected and developed for centuries primarily for this activity in the Middle East, it's more commonly used as a companion or show dog in the Western world. It doesn't excel as a guardian, as its timid temperament tends to make it flee from unusual or dangerous situations.

Sporty, it has high energy expenditure needs. A long daily walk is necessary for it to thrive. It suits various types of owners. Its training is easy, as its main objective is to please. However, it's advisable to thoroughly understand its character's peculiarities to welcome it in the best possible conditions. Faithful and loyal, the Persian Greyhound is a delicate dog that will bring a lot of love and harmony to your home.

As an adult, the Saluki will weigh between 14 and 25 kg (31 to 55 lb) for males and between 12 and 22 kg (26.5 to 48.5 lb) for females. Its height at the withers will be between 58 and 71 cm (23" - 28") for males and 53 to 67 cm (21" - 27") for females.