Did you know that Salukis can be white too?
Saluki — An ancient breed
The Saluki is one of the world’s oldest dog breeds, and some believe it predates ancient Egypt (its precise origins are largely unknown). The Saluki was known as the Royal Dog in Egypt and was used to hunt hare, fox, and gazelle. They hunted in tight groups of five, ten, or more dogs chasing their quarry at great speeds before capturing and bringing it down. Then their owners met up on horseback or camelback.
Although many breeds claim to have ancient ancestors, the Saluki’s ancestry has been confirmed by DNA evidence. The Saluki has particularly few genetic variations compared to wolves. Carvings dating back to 7000 BC have been discovered in Sumer (modern-day southern Iraq) that show a dog resembling the modern-day Saluki.
Saluki — The top-ranked sprinter.
Saluki is the fastest dog in the world. You might say that the Greyhound is faster, and that is possibly true. But Saluki still is extremely fast, and it has actually better stamina than a Greyhound. It is used for racing on longer tracks, and it would probably outrun a Greyhound on distances longer than a mile. The clocked top speed is 42,8 mph and that brings it within the realm of the Greyhound. It once held the Guinness World Record as the fastest dog breed in the world.
Something about the history of Salukis
As already stated, Saluki is an ancient breed. Images have been discovered at several archaeological sites. They were used for hunting small prey and they were highly praised and appreciated. It’s thought they enjoyed a closer relationship with their owners than normal dogs. The Bedouins treated them almost like family members. And they bred them as diligently and as highly as fine horses and falcons. In Egypt, they were even mummified after death to travel with their masters once his time was up.
It first came to Britain in the 19th century. In 1923, an English breed society was founded, and the Saluki was recognized by the Kennel Club the same year.
The first Saluki appeared in the United States by clipper ship from Thebes in 1861, introduced by Col. Horace N. Fisher of Boston, but the breed did not become established until the mid-1920s…At the same time as in England. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1927, the same year the Saluki Club of America was created. The Saluki is ranked 115th among AKC-registered breeds.
What a Saluki looks like
While individuals differ considerably in shape, all Salukis have a greyhound-like build, with long, slender legs, a moderately narrow neck, a fairly deep chest, a slightly arched loin, a slim waist, and a long tail.
The Saluki is smaller, thinner, and more angular than the greyhound. Salukis’ hipbones, as well as the last three ribs and a pair of vertebrae, are usually visible. The wide range of suitable heights reflects the wide range of styles,
Feathered Salukis have fine, silky fur on their ears, under their tail, between their toes, and sometimes on the backs of their limbs and under their throat, with the majority of their coat being short and fluffy. While most people associate the Saluki with its distinctive feathering pattern, the breed often comes in a smooth variety with all hair short and elegant.
Colors
Salukis come in almost all hues. Standard colors are more or less anything from Black to White. Brindle, as well as Blue, are “undesirable” colors. A solid dog can have small patches of white on the feet, tail tip, or a small chest patch and still be considered solid.
The colors of Salukis are not easy to define, as various clubs are slightly different in their interpretation of what is allowed and what is not. Bi-colors and even tri-colors are allowed and so are most markings. If you want to compete with your dog and need specific information about colors, you have to contact AKC or your National Kennel Club.
For the purpose of this article, the solid white dog is not the only whitish color, but light silver and light cream are allowed colors that practically seem almost white.
Weight and Size
- Height: 23–28 inches (dogs), considerably smaller (bitches)
- Weight: 40–65 pounds (dogs), smaller (bitches)
Grooming
The Saluki has two hair varieties: smooth and feathered. Brush the smooth coat once a week, but comb the feathering on the head, paws, legs, and feet at least twice a week to avoid mats and tangles. You could bring his ears up in a snood when eating to prevent them from dragging in his food bowl. When he drinks, a water bowl with sides that slope downward at the top can help keep his ears dry.
Most is routine treatment. Trim the nails, normally once or twice a week. Maintain clean and dry ears (important). Check them once a week for redness or a bad odor, which may mean infection. If the ears are sticky, scrub them with a cotton ball dampened with a gentle pH-balanced cleanser prescribed by your veterinarian. Brush your pet’s teeth on a regular basis with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for improved oral health and healthy breath. Introduce the Saluki puppy to grooming at a young age so that he continues to tolerate it without complaining.
The Saluki-character
The Saluki is an interesting combination of independence and intelligence, loyalty and aloofness, and affectionate but not showy. They’ve never lost their royal ancestry! They are usually uninterested in guests and somewhat standoffish, but they have strong bonds with their family, are quietly affectionate, and hate being left alone.
This is an unobtrusive breed that prefers to sit by your side rather than on your lap. Salukis are calm at home, patient with children, and get along well with other dogs. They make lousy guard dogs, as they don’t really care if a stranger enters the house or sneaks around in the garden. And they are not prone to barking.
They must be given the opportunity to run, and run hard, every day. Even though they are fully content to just lay on the sofa, they need thorough exercise if they are to stay in shape. And they are extremely fast and can follow a small prey or a dog for miles if they get the opportunity. A large fenced open space is perfect.
They are moderately obedient. In fact, like all sight dogs, their independence is a heritage from their hunting background. The sight dog must react immediately if a rabbit is within reach. He cannot wait for the slow human to tell him to go. This makes him harder to train, more headstrong than other dogs.
Health issues
Salukis are a healthy breed of dog, although they do have a few health issues to be aware of. Eye disorders (such as gradual retinal atrophy, corneal dystrophy, and glaucoma), von Willebrand’s disease (a blood clotting disorder), and hypothyroidism are among them.
They can also suffer from heart disorders.
Not all of these diseases are observable in a developing puppy, and it can be difficult to determine when an animal would be free of them, which is why you must find a reliable breeder. They should be able to produce an unbiased certification that the dog’s parents (and grandparents, and so on) have been tested for these deficiencies and are fit for breeding.
Final words
Saluki is a fabulous dog. It’s an ancient breed, and as such, it is normally healthy and well-composed. It lacks the suspiciousness and aggressiveness that dogs with a stronger guard instinct have. Instead, it’s independent, aristocratic, and can seem indifferent. The Saluki isn’t a guard dog, and it’s not a dog that will follow you around just to see what you’re doing.
But it’s friendly and loyal to all family members, and it accepts their friends without any fuss. It even accepts their and your other pets, and dogs. Unless they are too small… In that case, he will chase them and kill them.
Because this is a hunter and full-fledged cheetah in a dog suit. It’s a one-of-a-kind super-dog, and it holds one Guinness World Record to date. Not long ago it held two…
