There are so many breeds in the hound group to choose from. How in the world do you narrow down all the dogs?
How about going with one of the oldest dog breeds? This sighthound originally was used by the Arabs to bring down gazelle. If that doesn't help you decide to bring home a Saluki check out these facts.
Other cool historic facts about this dog breed:
- Dogs resembling the Saluki appear on Sumerian tombs dating as far back as 7000 B.C.
- The Saluki and other sighthounds were the favorite pets among kings like Egyptian pharaohs.
- Some historians believe the breed may take its name from the ancient city of Saluk in Yemen, or possibly from the city of Seleucia in Syria.
These dogs were cherished and regal! Do they make good pets?
Are Salukis good family dogs?
The answer is complicated. The Saluki is not a dog that 'snuggles' or a highly playful dog so if you're looking for a dog that behaves more like a Labrador than this isn't the breed for you!
This breed is tolerant of children but they aren't interested in being playmates. Kids may be disappointed that their Saluki doesn't pay attention to them.
We learned from experts that they enjoy quiet, consistent companionship from their owner and family. While they are low-key dogs they still need daily exercise. They enjoy a good romp!
Make sure they're on a leash though as they are sighthounds like the Greyhound.
Can a Saluki run faster than a Greyhound?
"While Greyhounds are deemed the fastest sprinters, Salukis are considered faster runners over longer distances. Salukis have been clocked at just over 40 mph."
These dogs need to run every day for at least 30-minutes. Make sure you have a fence.
How long do Salukis live for?
This breed has a life expectancy of 10 to 17 years. Talk to your breeder and vet about the following health conditions:
- Heart conditions, including valve disease, arrhythmia, and enlarged hearts
- Hypothyroidism
- Hemangiosarcoma, a form of canine cancer
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia
Do they bark a lot?
Salukis are known for their digging but they are not excessive pullers, they don't bark a lot, and they are not a hyperactive breed. These dogs are good watchdogs but not great guard dogs! As far as grooming goes, these dogs need daily brushings. Brush your Saluki's smooth coat twice weekly, paying extra attention to areas of feathering to prevent matting!
When you do research you may see that Salukis are also called Persian Greyhounds and Tazis.
How cool is it that there are depictions of dogs resembling Salukis that appear on Egyptian tombs dating 4,000 years ago! Which of these facts do you love the most? Aside from the grooming, (we have short hair dogs so cannot even imagine grooming) the Saluki sounds like a great breed that we'd enjoy living with as hounds are our fave.
The Saluki dog is an ancient breed! Their energy level isn't off the charts though and based on research there are many breeds with a much higher energy level so Salukis make a great pet for folks that have time for daily exercise and walks. You also need to stay on top of weekly brushing as their silky hair needs to be part of the maintenance plan for this breed.
These dogs do have a high prey drive though so you shouldn't live with cats as those hunting instincts could kick in. They are basically hunting hounds. Given their trainability, you may want to try something like lure coursing with your Saluki.
You should discuss their life span and health problems with the Saluki dog breeder. They can talk to you about the health issues you need to have on your radar about your Saluki puppy.
The Saluki breed is often compared to the Afghan hound so you may enjoy learning about breed too.
Do you know anyone that lives with a Saluki? Let us know what characteristics you love about this breed!
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