GROUP 4 - HOUNDS

Brief History
The Saluki or Gazelle Hound is purported to be one of the oldest domestic breeds. Pictures showing its use as a hunting dog have been found in temples of the ancient Egyptians. This makes the breed at least 7000 years old and in all that time, little appears to have changed. Salukis are sight hounds, not scent hounds. They use their eyes to spot the game, and then run it down.

For 2000 years the saluki has been used by the tribes of the Middle East as a hunting animal. In Bedouin culture, the Saluki was never a dog, but a precious and noble gift bestowed by Allah. Salukis were not sold, but they changed hands as gifts for family or friends.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 10 to 15 years.

Temperament
Dignified and gentle, may be reserved with strangers.

Salukis tend to come across as a little aloof, but they can be affectionate and, in fact, extremely loyal, they just don’t demand constant attention from humans.

General Breed Description

A medium sized moderate dog built for extreme speed and endurance. They display instinctive hunting behaviour that can make keeping cats or other small animals a problem. They make good watchdogs and will give due warning if prowlers are about. These are sedate, laid-back animals when not working, and need little to keep them amused between bouts of exercise. Inside they are clean, quiet and have little odour, and are quite happy to sleep. However, lack of excise and human contact can produce acts of defiance and destruction.

Young Salukis need training in the social graces and the socialisation of pups is extremely important in producing a well-adjusted adult. Lack of human affection, boredom and frustration can produce acts of defiance and destruction. They get on well with other pets (including cats), when brought into the home at a young age and properly introduced. As with any other breed, older animals will require more time to settle into a new environment. The Saluki is social, not solitary, two are often easier than one.

Salukis are intelligent and sensitive, and they do not tolerate harsh training methods and require a gentle positive method.

The most common colours are cream, fawn, red, gold, grizzle, tan, black and tan, tri-colour and parti-colour.

Coat and Care Requirements
Salukis come in two varieties. The long-coated version with light to heavy feathering on legs, ears and tail is called a Feathered. The shorter coated version is called a Smooth. The short coat needs little care other than a wipe over with a damp cloth, while the feathers of the long coat should be brushed regularly.

Please take note: Salukis require a large well-fenced yard and their own comfortable sheltered accommodation.

Size
Height: Males 58 to 71cms (23 to 28ins), Females a little less.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Saluki is generally a healthy breed. However, some health conditions will occur occasionally. These may include some heart conditions such as valve disease or arrhythmia and enlarged hearts. Some autoimmune and blood conditions have been reported. Also, certain cancers occasionally occur, such as hemangiosarcoma or osteosarcoma, and lymphoma. Recommended Health Tests for breeders include Cardiac Exam and Thyroid Evaluation.

Suitability
An active lifestyle is not a prerequisite in owning a Saluki, but a prospective owner must have ample time to provide daily exercise, grooming care and attention.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/15