The history of the Saluki dates back thousands of years. As a loyal companion and hunting partner, the graceful Saluki found its way from the Bedouin tribes of the Orient to Europe. With their intelligence, grace, and strong character, these purebred dogs will also captivate you, as they excel as family dogs with their calm demeanor.

History of the Saluki

Saluki dogs are also known as Persian Greyhounds, as the roots of these graceful animals lie in the Middle East. Thousands of years ago, the graceful dogs with their innate hunting instinct became faithful companions to the Bedouin tribes. Their speed and gentle nature, as well as their intelligence and loyalty, led the desert tribes to begin breeding Salukis deliberately. Their journey to Europe was slow. Individual specimens were brought to England, where the breed was first presented as the “Persian Greyhound” in 1840.

The first European breeding program was initiated by Baroness Florence Amherst of Hackney, who discovered the almost majestic dogs during a trip along the Nile. The Baroness obtained two breeding animals from the breeding program of Prince Abdullah of Transjordan and brought them to England. With the support of General Frederick Lance and his wife, the breed was officially recognized in England, and the first official Saluki puppies were born on English soil in 1922. Today, Saluki dogs are among the most precious in the world, as dogs with a pure Arabian lineage are rare, and prices of $12,000 or more are not uncommon. For a Saluki dog from European breeding, prices range from “only” $1,500 to $2,000.

Character and Temperament

Affectionate, calm, sensitive, yet independent and confident, the Saluki is well-suited as a family dog. Physically, this wiry breed is capable of achieving top performance through training. They enjoy physical activity and are considered active companions. However, the Saluki also adapts well to home life and can be a cozy couch companion, valuing a close bond with “their” family.

As an extremely devoted companion with a friendly disposition, the Saluki is everything but a guard dog. They may appear shy and aloof with strangers, but they welcome affection, and the ice is quickly broken. While they do possess a certain hunting instinct, they are not prone to running away. With proper training, they can be reliably recalled in any situation.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	Medium
Kid-Friendly	Medium
Pet-Friendly	Medium
Exercise Needs	High
Playfulness	High
Energy Level	High
Trainability	Medium
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Bark	Low
Amount of Shedding	Low

Acquisition of a Saluki

Before considering the purchase of a Saluki dog, you should make some considerations. Not only should the purchase cost be taken into account, but also whether you have enough time for the active and sensitive four-legged friend. You should not underestimate the exercise needs of the breed, even though the dogs certainly have their calm side and enjoy dozing off near you.

Of course, you should be ready to provide a loving home for the Saluki for its entire life, and you should also factor in the maintenance effort, monthly costs for food and other necessities, as well as veterinary expenses before deciding on a Saluki. Ultimately, choosing a Saluki means opting for a dog that is generally undemanding but can still be spoiled and will prove to be a loyal companion.

What should I look for when buying?

In general, you should only buy a Saluki from a reputable breeder. The breeder should document the health condition of their dogs and be able to provide not only the pedigree but also all veterinary records for parent animals as well as for their Saluki puppies. The breeding environment should be clean, and parent animals and puppies should appear healthy, lively, and well-balanced.

Additionally, the animals should live in a family environment, as this is the optimal way for them to be socialized. You should also carefully examine the pedigree to ensure that inbreeding is excluded. Naturally, you should take your time, and reputable breeders have no objections if you visit the puppy several times. Moreover, good breeders will also provide you with plenty of advice and ask you some questions, as they value giving puppies only to good hands.

Development and Training of the Puppy

Even at a young age, Saluki dogs are extremely eager to learn. Thanks to their intelligence, training these dogs is easy, and with loving guidance, you can achieve a lot. Since they are sensitive dogs, it’s important to build a strong bond with them.

A consistent yet gentle training style is advantageous. It’s worthwhile to expose the puppies to other pets from the beginning and give them the opportunity to accompany you in leisure activities. With good training, the Saluki shines not only as a family dog but also behaves well in the office, restaurant, and hotel.

How do I care for a Saluki?

Persian Greyhounds are truly low-maintenance and undemanding, so they can feel comfortable even in an apartment in the city. However, it’s always important that a Saluki dog gets enough opportunities to run and is engaged in suitable activities.

Membership in a sighthound club is also ideal. These clubs organize activities such as sighthound racing and coursing, making it easier to provide appropriate mental and physical stimulation. Otherwise, the breed fits well in both multi-generational households and single-person households. However, younger children should learn to respect the Saluki. As much as they love children, they also need their quiet moments and want to enjoy them.

Activities with the Saluki

Free running is essential for the appropriate care of a Saluki. However, you should always be aware that the breed has a natural hunting instinct but is a sight hunter. Therefore, you should avoid areas with high wildlife populations. It’s perfect if the active dog can run around on a racetrack or participate in coursing. These are secured areas that offer optimal conditions for sighthounds.

But activities such as extensive hikes, bike rides, or accompanying you on a horseback ride also suit the Saluki. If the dog can regularly exert itself properly, it will enjoy the quiet hours with you on the sofa even more.

Health and Grooming

The dogs are considered an extremely robust breed. However, inbreeding can lead to health problems. Therefore, it’s important to rely on a reputable breeder and carefully examine the pedigree of the animals. Nevertheless, regular visits to the veterinarian are essential. In addition to regular vaccinations and deworming, preventive check-ups are also advisable.

In daily care, the four-legged companion with its aristocratic appearance is extremely uncomplicated. It’s sufficient to brush the dog’s fur weekly. Pay attention to the longer hair on the ears and tail and comb them well.

Interesting Facts

Saluki dogs are still considered status symbols in the Middle East today, fetching accordingly high prices. The more straightforward the pedigree, the higher the prices for these elegant animals, which achieve top performances on the racetrack. Saluki puppies whose parents have successfully participated in races command particularly high prices.

Do you already have a Saluki in the family or are you planning to get one soon? Share more about your experiences in the comments!