Saluki illustration
Hound

Saluki

Elegant and light footed hound of the Middle East

Breed characteristics

Size
Medium
Exercise
More than 2 hours per day
Size of home
Large house
Grooming
Once a week
Coat length
Short
Sheds
Yes
Lifespan
Over 12 years
Vulnerable native breed
No
Town or country
Country
Size of garden
Large garden

About this breed

Much prized by the Bedouins along with their Arabian horses, the Saluki is an elegant and light footed hound of the Middle East. The Sheikhs kept careful breeding records and recorded the hunting prowess of their hounds. Their quarry was hare, fox and gazelle and hunting often took place on horseback, the riders using hooded falcons in combination with the hounds. Because of the different terrains in which he could be used for hunting there are is a variation of type within the breed, the desert type and the mountain type differing in size and substance. It is thought that the name of the breed was based on the ancient Arabian city of Saluk or the Syrian town of Seleucia. Certainly the breed is imbued with an exotic history and remains much admired for its elegance, gentle temperament and light lifting movement.

Read the breed standard

Images for this breed

The Hound breed group

Breeds originally used for hunting either by scent or by sight. The scent hounds include the Beagle and Bloodhound and the sight hounds such breeds as the Whippet and Greyhound. Many of them enjoy a significant amount of exercise and can be described as dignified, aloof but trustworthy companions.

 

Breed standard colours

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

  • Black & Silver
  • Black & Tan
  • Black & Tan Particolour
  • Black & Tan Tricolour
  • Black & White Particolour
  • Black Fringed Fawn
  • Black Fringed Fawn & White
  • Black Fringed Gold
  • Black Fringed Red
  • Black Fringed Red With White
  • Black Grizzle
  • Black Particolour
  • Chocolate & Tan
  • Chocolate & White Particolour
  • Chocolate Grizzle
  • Cream
  • Cream & White
  • Deer Grizzle
  • Fawn
  • Fawn & White
  • Fawn Grizzle
  • Gold
  • Golden & White Particolour
  • Grizzle & White Particolour
  • Red
  • Red & White
  • Red & White Particolour
  • Red Grizzle
  • Silver Grizzle
  • White

Other colour/s

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Non-breed-standard colours

Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

Health

Whether you’re thinking of buying a puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. To tackle these issues we advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.

More about health

Important health schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice

*The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services - simple to use and easy to organise all-in-one DNA tests

The DNA tests listed above marked with an asterisk (*) are included in our DNA Testing Services. This includes:

  • Saluki Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (Sal-NCL)

Kennel Club Assured breeders and Kennel Club Accredited Instructors receive a 10% discount.

Find out more about The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services.

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email 

Saluki Breed Health Co-ordinator

 

Breed watch

Category 1

Currently no points of concern specific to this breed have been identified for special attention by judges, other than those covered routinely by The Kennel Club breed standard.

Read more about Breed Watch

Breeding restrictions

There are a number of The Kennel Club's rules and regulations that may prevent a litter from being registered, find out about our general and breed specific breeding restrictions below.

More about breeding

There are two coat types known for this breed - feathered and smooth. The option to select smooth-coat is available when registering a litter online. For any paper applications, a note should be made next to the relevant puppy or in the form of an accompanying letter. If registered as such, the wording smooth-coat will appear after the breed name on the registration certificate and noted in the Breed Records Supplement, otherwise the dog is considered to be of the feathered variety.

Looking for a puppy?

Looking for a Saluki? Explore our list of puppies and rescue dogs for sale near you.

More information

Need to find out more about a breed?

Use our Find a Club service where you can locate breed clubs that can offer support and advice.

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