Breed standards

Saluki

Breed standards are the official guidelines that describe the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential.

Last Updated: 23 Jan 2015

Pre 1987 Kennel Club, London

Group:
Group 4 (Hounds)
History:

(Not detailed.)

General:

The whole appearance of this breed should give an impression of grace and symmetry and of great speed and endurance coupled with strength and activity to enable it to kill gazelle or other quarry over deep sand or rocky mountain. The expression should be dignified and gentle with deep, faithful, farseeing eyes.

Characteristics:

(Not detailed.)

Temperament:

(Not detailed.)

Head And Skull:

Head long and narrow; skull moderately wide between ears, not domed, the stop not pronounced, the whole showing great quality. Nose black or liver.

Eyes:

Dark to hazel and bright, large and oval, but not prominent.

Ear:

Long and mobile, covered with long silky hair; hanging close to the skull.

Mouth:

Teeth strong and level.

Neck:

Long, supple and well muscled.

Forequarters:

Shoulders sloping and set well back, well muscled without being coarse. The chest deep and moderately narrow. The forelegs straight and long from the elbow to the knee

Body:

Back fairly broad, muscles slightly arched over the loin.

Hindquarters:

Strong, hip bones set wide apart, and stifle moderately bent, hocks low to the ground, showing galloping and jumping power.

Feet:

Of moderate length, toes long, and well arched, not splayed out, but at the same time not cat footed; the whole being strong and supple and well feathered between the toes.

Tail:

Long, set on low and carried naturally in a curve, well feathered on the underside with long silky hair, not bushy.

Gait/Movement:

(Not detailed.)

Coat:

Smooth and of a soft silky texture; slight feather on the legs; feather at the back of the thighs; sometimes with slight woolly feather on thigh and shoulders. (In the Smooth variety the points should be the same with the exception of the coat which has no feathering.)

Colour:

White, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle and tan, tricolour (white, black and tan) and black and tan, or variations of these colours.

Sizes:

Height:
Dogs 58-71 cms (23-28 ins).
Bitches proportionately smaller.

Faults:

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Notes:

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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