The Saluki is a breed of dog that is a member of the sighthound family, that is, hounds that hunt by sight rather than scent. The Saluki is one of the oldest dog breeds known. The Saluki, also called the Persian Greyhound, was developed in Middle East in the middle ages as a hunting dog. Today, the Saluki is used mainly as a companion dog.
History: The royal dog of Egypt, the Saluki may be as old as the oldest known civilization.  They were named after the Arabian city “Saluki” in the Middle East, which is now vanished beneath the sands. This breed is thought of by the Muslims as a sacred gift of Allah, so these dogs were never sold but only offered as gift of friendship or homage. The Saluki is also known as the Gazelle Hound, Arabian Hound, or Persian Greyhound, and as its appearance suggests, it is probably quite closely related to another ancient breed: the Afghan Hound.
Appearance: The appearance of the Saluki is one of total grace and balance. They have an unusual gait when they are at top speed: all four of their legs are in the air at the same time. The head is long and narrow, skull moderately wide between the ears, not domed, stop not pronounced, the whole showing great quality. The Saluki breed come in two different coat varieties: Smooth and Feathered. In either variety the coat is short and close. The feathered Saluki has silky flowing hair on the ears, underside of tail, legs, stern, and back of thighs. Allowable colors are solids: white, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle and tan. Patterned coats of tricolor or and black and tan are also permitted.
Size: Height:  23-28 inches (58-71cm)
Weight: 29-66 pounds (13-30kg)
Temperament: The Saluki are even-tempered and sensitive. Gentle, affectionate, but not demonstrative. Though they can be affectionate, this breed tends to be independent in nature. They display a great depth of loyalty and may become very attached to one certain person in the family. They enjoy the company of older children and may become over-protective of them. Modern Salukis retain the qualities of hunting hounds. They may appear reserved and uninterested. They learn quickly but can get bored with repetition, so training sessions should be short and varied. The breed makes a good watchdog and is very reserved around strangers. When indoors, it is calm and quiet, preferring to find a warm, soft spot to sleep. The Saluki will only bark when there is something worthwhile for them to bark at.
Health: The Saluki is prone to some genetic eye and heart diseases and. They can get sunburn especially on the nose.
Life expectancy: 12 – 14 years
Grooming: The Saluki’s coat is easy to care for. They require occasional combing and brushing, particularly on the feathered areas. Their ears need regular cleaning and inspection. In some cases this breed may be finicky about eating and will skip meals.
Puppy price: $150.00 - $500.00