Introducing the Saluki
The Saluki is possibly the oldest known breed of dog domesticated by man. Bred as a hunter, the Saluki has been used by man over a vast region spanning from Morocco to Asia Minor. The earliest depictions of this breed date back over 4000 years, recorded on friezes in the ancient tombs of Egypt. The Saluki is unchanged in appearance from this time.
Revered by his owners for his speed and endurance over long distances, the Saluki has graced the bedsides of the Bedouin tribes in Arabia and the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. The Saluki is world renowned for his keen eyesight and incredible speed - the distinguishing trait share by all members of the Sighthound family.
The Saluki is still used as a provider of food in his Region of Origin; however the modern-day Western world embraces his beauty and grace as an elegant companion.
More information : The Saluki - History & Origins
Appearance
Salukis are a medium sized dog, built for speed and endurance. There are two varieties - Feathered and Smooth. The Feathered variety is perhaps the more glamorous of the two, with its long silky feathering on ears, tail, and legs, however the Smooths have their admirers as well. In Australia the Feathered variety is currently more common. Many colours are available - cream, gold, red, black, tri-colour (black, tan and white) and various shades of grizzle (a light mask and belly, with a dark overlay on top). These are the most common in Australia presently although other colours such as solid black, blue & chocolate exist.
More information : http://www.ankc.org.au/Breed_Details.aspx?bid=24
The Saluki is possibly the oldest known breed of dog domesticated by man. Bred as a hunter, the Saluki has been used by man over a vast region spanning from Morocco to Asia Minor. The earliest depictions of this breed date back over 4000 years, recorded on friezes in the ancient tombs of Egypt. The Saluki is unchanged in appearance from this time.
Revered by his owners for his speed and endurance over long distances, the Saluki has graced the bedsides of the Bedouin tribes in Arabia and the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. The Saluki is world renowned for his keen eyesight and incredible speed - the distinguishing trait share by all members of the Sighthound family.
The Saluki is still used as a provider of food in his Region of Origin; however the modern-day Western world embraces his beauty and grace as an elegant companion.
More information : The Saluki - History & Origins
Appearance
Salukis are a medium sized dog, built for speed and endurance. There are two varieties - Feathered and Smooth. The Feathered variety is perhaps the more glamorous of the two, with its long silky feathering on ears, tail, and legs, however the Smooths have their admirers as well. In Australia the Feathered variety is currently more common. Many colours are available - cream, gold, red, black, tri-colour (black, tan and white) and various shades of grizzle (a light mask and belly, with a dark overlay on top). These are the most common in Australia presently although other colours such as solid black, blue & chocolate exist.
More information : http://www.ankc.org.au/Breed_Details.aspx?bid=24
© Copyright Sonia Perkins 2005 |
Health & Feeding
Salukis are generally a very hardy breed, often living well into their teens. Twelve to fourteen years is an average lifespan, with sixteen year olds not unheard of. The most common cause of death, especially of young dogs, is car accidents.
More information : http://salukihealthresearch.tripod.com
Despite being classed as a medium to large dog, they are relatively cheap to feed. An adult requires around 5-10kg of quality food weekly, depending on activity levels. Puppies and adolescents require substantially more. Salukis are best kept trim, with the last 3 ribs and hip bones clearly visible.
More information : raw feeding
Behaviour
The Saluki is appreciated by all his various owners as a faithful, intelligent and dignified companion as well as a hunter. He is very loyal to his family and is treasured by many as a quiet and clean house dog, despite his size. The smallest armchair makes a comfortable bed for a Saluki, with his legs curled up neatly or sticking out straight and his tail keeping his nose warm.
Salukis are trainable to a high standard with gentle positive methods, although it takes patience on the part of the trainer, as they work at their own pace and find repetitive obedience exercises extremely boring. The Saluki is a reserved breed with strangers as a rule, so training in social behaviour in a variety of situations is a must for young dogs.
Salukis need to be exercised regularly and have plenty of toys to play with (read: destroy) - lack of human interaction and boredom lead to frustration and wilful acts of destruction will be the result. Salukis are inclined to dig and remodel gardens extensively. They steal toys, gardening implements and pot plants, caching them in hidey holes around the place for further examination at a later date. They steal food off bench tops and people who live with Salukis soon learn to live with the 7 foot rule - if something is left within their reach of about 7 feet from the ground, it may inconveniently vanish (especially if it is a wonderfully marinated and very expensive piece of steak!)
Salukis are generally considered trustworthy with children and other household pets *if they have been raised with them* and all parties involved have learnt mutual respect; supervision when children and dogs of ANY breed are together is of paramount importance, whether the dog is used to children and vice versa or not. NO amount of training EVER makes it OK for children and dogs to be left together unsupervised. Care does need to be taken around rodents, as these are natural prey for any dog.
Grooming
Salukis are very easy to groom. A comb through the feathers with a pin brush or fine tooth comb once or twice a week and a bath when dirty - perhaps once every 3 months or so - is sufficient for most companion animals. Show dogs will need to be washed in mild shampoo before each show. Baby shampoo is gentle on the coats and conditioning the tail and ear feathers is worthwhile. They have very little doggy odour. The feathered variety does need to have its feet checked for grass seeds regularly if these are a problem in your area, as these can wedge between the toes and cause infections. Ears need to be cleaned regularly and an ear cleaner that dries out the inside of the ear is useful, to inhibit fungal infections that can develop more easily in drop eared dogs. Care needs to be taken when washing the ear feathers to ensure water is not squirted into the ear (high risk of fungal infections).
Requirements
Fences need to be at least 5, preferably 6 feet high and not able to be climbed. A large yard with plenty of space and shade is ideal, as long as the dog is given regular exercise outside of it's home yard. The Saluki needs room to move - regular housing blocks are not big enough for the amount of space a Saluki needs to really stretch out. Ideally free running in a SAFE area away from motor vehicles is the best, however running free in a large fenced area (1 acre or so) is definitely appreciated, as is exercising on lead next to a bicycle. The very nature of a sight hound can lead to major problems when they spot something moving as far a a kilometre away and take off after it. Once involved in the chase, it is very rare to be able to call it off when you wish the dog to return. The dog will undoubtedly return to the area it was released, but only in his own time.
The Saluki, despite it's rather aristocratic nature, is a social animal - two are easier than one, because they keep each other company. Alternatively, if you only want one, he should be allowed to be a house dog, to avoid boredom which can lead to a destructive dog with a very loud voice. Salukis dig from puppy hood right into adult life. Their diggings are narrow, long and potentially hazardous - especially at night! Digging often occurs at fence lines, so wire dug into the ground or a concrete edging is sometimes necessary, depending on how persistent the digger is.
Getting a Saluki
Salukis are considered a rare breed in Australia, with around 100 dogs registered each year. Major metropolitan shows attract entries of around 10 - 20 dogs, with as many as 70+ entered in Specialty (Saluki only) Shows. Breeders are spread around the country, but most are happy to discuss your requirements and will often ship a puppy or an older dog to you (at your own expense, of course).
Contact your state governing body for details of Saluki or Hound Group Clubs in Australia. Details for each state body can be found at http://www.ankc.org.au/ or check a metropolitan yellow pages directory under dog breeders.
Perhaps the wonderful Saluki is not unusual or rare enough for you? Check out these very rare sight hounds - http://home.swipnet.se/~w-40770/star/rare/rares.html
Salukis are generally a very hardy breed, often living well into their teens. Twelve to fourteen years is an average lifespan, with sixteen year olds not unheard of. The most common cause of death, especially of young dogs, is car accidents.
More information : http://salukihealthresearch.tripod.com
Despite being classed as a medium to large dog, they are relatively cheap to feed. An adult requires around 5-10kg of quality food weekly, depending on activity levels. Puppies and adolescents require substantially more. Salukis are best kept trim, with the last 3 ribs and hip bones clearly visible.
More information : raw feeding
Behaviour
The Saluki is appreciated by all his various owners as a faithful, intelligent and dignified companion as well as a hunter. He is very loyal to his family and is treasured by many as a quiet and clean house dog, despite his size. The smallest armchair makes a comfortable bed for a Saluki, with his legs curled up neatly or sticking out straight and his tail keeping his nose warm.
Salukis are trainable to a high standard with gentle positive methods, although it takes patience on the part of the trainer, as they work at their own pace and find repetitive obedience exercises extremely boring. The Saluki is a reserved breed with strangers as a rule, so training in social behaviour in a variety of situations is a must for young dogs.
Salukis need to be exercised regularly and have plenty of toys to play with (read: destroy) - lack of human interaction and boredom lead to frustration and wilful acts of destruction will be the result. Salukis are inclined to dig and remodel gardens extensively. They steal toys, gardening implements and pot plants, caching them in hidey holes around the place for further examination at a later date. They steal food off bench tops and people who live with Salukis soon learn to live with the 7 foot rule - if something is left within their reach of about 7 feet from the ground, it may inconveniently vanish (especially if it is a wonderfully marinated and very expensive piece of steak!)
Salukis are generally considered trustworthy with children and other household pets *if they have been raised with them* and all parties involved have learnt mutual respect; supervision when children and dogs of ANY breed are together is of paramount importance, whether the dog is used to children and vice versa or not. NO amount of training EVER makes it OK for children and dogs to be left together unsupervised. Care does need to be taken around rodents, as these are natural prey for any dog.
Grooming
Salukis are very easy to groom. A comb through the feathers with a pin brush or fine tooth comb once or twice a week and a bath when dirty - perhaps once every 3 months or so - is sufficient for most companion animals. Show dogs will need to be washed in mild shampoo before each show. Baby shampoo is gentle on the coats and conditioning the tail and ear feathers is worthwhile. They have very little doggy odour. The feathered variety does need to have its feet checked for grass seeds regularly if these are a problem in your area, as these can wedge between the toes and cause infections. Ears need to be cleaned regularly and an ear cleaner that dries out the inside of the ear is useful, to inhibit fungal infections that can develop more easily in drop eared dogs. Care needs to be taken when washing the ear feathers to ensure water is not squirted into the ear (high risk of fungal infections).
Requirements
Fences need to be at least 5, preferably 6 feet high and not able to be climbed. A large yard with plenty of space and shade is ideal, as long as the dog is given regular exercise outside of it's home yard. The Saluki needs room to move - regular housing blocks are not big enough for the amount of space a Saluki needs to really stretch out. Ideally free running in a SAFE area away from motor vehicles is the best, however running free in a large fenced area (1 acre or so) is definitely appreciated, as is exercising on lead next to a bicycle. The very nature of a sight hound can lead to major problems when they spot something moving as far a a kilometre away and take off after it. Once involved in the chase, it is very rare to be able to call it off when you wish the dog to return. The dog will undoubtedly return to the area it was released, but only in his own time.
The Saluki, despite it's rather aristocratic nature, is a social animal - two are easier than one, because they keep each other company. Alternatively, if you only want one, he should be allowed to be a house dog, to avoid boredom which can lead to a destructive dog with a very loud voice. Salukis dig from puppy hood right into adult life. Their diggings are narrow, long and potentially hazardous - especially at night! Digging often occurs at fence lines, so wire dug into the ground or a concrete edging is sometimes necessary, depending on how persistent the digger is.
Getting a Saluki
Salukis are considered a rare breed in Australia, with around 100 dogs registered each year. Major metropolitan shows attract entries of around 10 - 20 dogs, with as many as 70+ entered in Specialty (Saluki only) Shows. Breeders are spread around the country, but most are happy to discuss your requirements and will often ship a puppy or an older dog to you (at your own expense, of course).
Contact your state governing body for details of Saluki or Hound Group Clubs in Australia. Details for each state body can be found at http://www.ankc.org.au/ or check a metropolitan yellow pages directory under dog breeders.
Perhaps the wonderful Saluki is not unusual or rare enough for you? Check out these very rare sight hounds - http://home.swipnet.se/~w-40770/star/rare/rares.html