Saluki - description of the breed and character of the dog

This breed is considered one of the oldest. You can’t say for sure where they came from. It is only known for certain that the Middle East is the homeland of the saluki. Their unusual appearance cannot but attract attention. And their restrained and gentle nature makes these dogs ideal pets and friends for all family members.

From the history of the breed

The countries of the Middle East are the cradle of civilization. They gave the world agriculture, works of art and dogs of this breed. They are one of the oldest rocks on the planet. It is believed that saluki mean when a dog is mentioned in biblical tales. Representatives of the Egyptian nobility commanded to rest these animals next to them in the tombs. Their images today can be found in the drawings of those same tombs. Even now, a long-legged elegant animal sometimes adorns the carpet in the sheikh's tent.

Graceful and aesthetic saluki endowed with real Persian power. They are very similar to their descendants of the Greyhounds, but have much larger ears. These animals, like their ancestors, ruled the sands of the merciless Sahara. Residents of the desert consider them ideal pets and a true gift of heaven. This animal is venerated by them to the extent that it can only be compared in value with purebred horses and camels.

The true homeland of the Persian greyhound is Iran. The name of the breed comes from the city of Salyuk in the United Arab Emirates. It was formed long before our era and has been preserved in its original form due to the efforts of local breeders. Salyukov was used for hunting small game and protecting houses. These restrained animals could catch prey and hold, waiting for the owner, who killed the victim of the hunt on their own, as required by the laws of Islam.

Animals were revered and considered family members - they lived in a tent. They moved such valuable pets with the help of camels and horses. As true gifts of Allah, they were not sold for money, but presented as gifts.

With the help of nomads, they spread throughout the Middle East. Dogs were brought to Europe in the Middle Ages. In the 29th year of the 20th century, they were recognized as a separate breed in the United States. The standards of these representatives were fixed at Kennel Club in the 23rd year, and in the 66th they were officially approved.

Breed standards

Saluki graceful, refined and graceful dogs. They are proportionately folded, have a powerful and muscular body with long limbs, just perfect for running. Their appearance in itself speaks of their ancient origin, and their eyes express calmness and wisdom.

1. Sizes. Growth at the withers is from 46 to 66 cm in females and 58 - 71 on average in males. Females weigh between 16 and 25 kilograms, and males weigh between 20 and 30.
2. Torso. An elongated body with pronounced, naturally strong muscles. With a powerful and deep chest. The stomach is pulled in. In the lumbar region, a bend. The pelvis is wide.
3. Head. Proportional to the body. Elongated and narrow. Between the ears is narrow and flat. From the forehead to the nose there is a smooth transition. The muzzle is long, gradually tapering towards the nose. The mouth is strong, with a scissor bite.
4. The ears. They have an average landing. On movable joints. Hanging. In a state of calm, they hang in the direction of the cheekbones.
5. Eyes. Big size. Almond shaped. Amber to black.
6. Nose. Has a black or dark brown tip.
7. Neck. Muscular Long enough, with a smooth bend.
8. Paws Long and even, parallel to each other with distinct, well-developed muscles. The fingers are brought together and fit snugly together. The claws and paw pads are dark in color.
9. Tail. Low set. To the hock. With the tip bent upwards. When the animal is in a calm state, it does not rise above the line of the back.
10. Wool. There are 2 varieties of saluki: smooth-haired and long-haired. Both species have a characteristic feature - the absence of undercoat. Shorthair more common. They have smooth and silky hair of short length throughout the body. Longhaired individuals have longer hair in the ears, throat, and back of the hips.
11. Colors. Persian greyhounds have many different colors: white, black, cream, red, two and three-colored.
    The disadvantage is tiger color. It is not characteristic of this breed.

Important! The breed standards clearly indicate that the general appearance of the saluki should be noble, and it should move energetically and beautifully.

Character Features

Smart, balanced and very sensitive dogs are great companions. They are fast, strong and hardy. They tend to become attached to only one person, but find an approach to all members of the family in which they live.

Fact! Saluki are graceful and restrained, able to show affection, but they can not be called intrusive. They are suitable for people who value peace in dogs.

They have excellent watch and hunting qualities. They can be aggressive towards strangers, but they attack quite rarely. But they always warn of the presence of strangers on the territory with the help of a bark.

Saluki training and education must be done from an early puppy age. If a pet is poorly trained and socialized, it can grow up naughty and shy. This can cause destructive behavior in the animal.

Raising a saluki is not such an easy task as it might seem at first glance. They are distinguished by some independence and freethinking. When representatives of this breed are distracted by something of interest to them, it is unlikely that the training process will go according to plan. Nevertheless, they should be treated with restraint and think carefully about their actions. Raising your voice and using physical punishment is simply unacceptable. Positive results will come only after timely praise and “valuable” rewards.

With children, saluki, as a rule, get along well. They may well be allowed to play with them. At the same time, it is necessary for the child to explain that the animal will not tolerate rudeness towards itself, it should be handled delicately.

Other animals in the house are not a contraindication in order to get an animal of this breed. But best of all they get along with other dogs, preferably hounds. As for cats and rodents, the saluki are quite capable of establishing normal relations with them.

This noble and sensitive animal does not tolerate quarrels and scandals in the house. From them, they may experience some depression, and even real dog depression. Therefore, living next to this dog requires compromise from the owners.

Maintenance and care

The ancestors of the saluki gave modern descendants their stamina and strength. They are well adapted to any conditions of detention. And the owners do not cause much trouble. Due to the lack of undercoat, they do not have a characteristic dog smell. They are notable for their cleanliness, and shedding is rather rare.

Hair care
Bathing pets of this breed is not often required. You can do this as needed using special shampoos. As the shorthair is contaminated, it is enough to wipe it with a damp cloth.Their hair does not need to be combed out either, the fallen hairs can be carefully removed with a special glove, brush or scallop with rare teeth. Longhaired representatives comb a little more often using the same devices.

Walking
These animals require constant walking with sufficient physical exertion. Best for them is the discovery of sites somewhere in nature. Additional impressions to the pet can be provided from participation in the engraving competitions.

The Persian Greyhound is a flock of animals. They prefer to hunt collectively, several (6-7) individuals. In groups, they can chase anything, including cars. Such a tendency can pose a threat to the dog if, at the sight of a moving object, it breaks down and rushes in pursuit. Most often, cyclists become victims of chases. People are very scared if a pack of dogs chases them. With Persian greyhounds, it is best to walk with a leash, so that natural instincts do not cause the animal to be in danger.

Important! Saluki poorly tolerate low temperatures. In the cold season, pets should be provided with warm clothing.

Dental care
The teeth of all dogs are prone to plaque and tartar. Saluki are no exception. To maintain dental health - they need to be cleaned regularly, about once every 7 days. Dog mouth care products are sold in specialized stores. In no case should you use a human toothpaste, it will cause the pet a complete disgust for this procedure forever. You can purchase special treats for dogs that cleanse their teeth.

Ear care
Large ears of the Persian greyhound require increased attention from the owners. Their shape facilitates the ingress of dirt and dust. Therefore, they must be regularly inspected and cleaned. At home, this can be done with a slightly damp cotton sponge dipped in warm water or a decoction of chamomile. For the same purpose, special means for burying ears are sold in a veterinary pharmacy.

Eyes
Persian Greyhound likes to run. And while running, foreign objects and dust can get into your eyes. In this case, they are wiped with moist cotton pads. They must be periodically examined for inflammation. This may indicate a violation of the health of the pet.

Claw care
Due to the activity of the saluki, its claws grind on their own while walking and running. For this reason, they do not need pruning. Paws should be regularly examined for splintering and mechanical damage, wounds and cracks. If they are, then you need to provide the animal with adequate assistance.

Nutrition
All dogs, and especially hunting ones, need the presence of lean meats in their diet. Most suitable: chicken, turkey, rabbit, lamb and veal. Meat should make up about 80 percent of all foods. Be sure to include cereals, dairy products and boiled vegetables.

For feeding a Persian greyhound, fortified feeds of industrial production and natural food are suitable. If the animal eats natural products, then vitamin-mineral complexes should be included in order to maintain the health of teeth and bones.

Health and Life Expectancy

As a result of prolonged selection, the saluki received good health and excellent immunity. They can boast a life expectancy of up to 15 years on average. This breed deserves to be considered one of the strongest and most enduring.

They are smaller than other long-legged breeds and are prone to hip dysplasia. This disease is not frequent for them, but it can rarely be found.The cause of dysplasia, as a rule, is not a genetic predisposition, but rather improper nutrition during active growth and lack of physical activity.

Characteristic diseases inherent in representatives of the Persian greyhound:

• Dilated cardiomyopathy;
• Hemangiosarcoma;
• Hypothyroidism

It goes without saying that the health of dogs depends on the conditions of detention and proper care. It is necessary to carry out all routine vaccinations and regularly treat the animal from parasites. If you suspect a health problem, show the dog to the veterinarian and do not neglect his recommendations.

Interesting Facts

1. Saluki are excellent runners, they can catch their prey for several kilometers, developing a speed of up to 70 km per hour. At short distances, the Persian greyhound can accelerate to 90 km.
2. During the Middle Ages, this breed was in demand among European monarchs. The Saxon Duke Henry 4 is even captured in the company of a Persian greyhound on one of the frescoes.
3. Burials of the ancestors of this breed were found in tombs, which were made about 6000 BC.
4. According to historical facts, Alexander the Great himself was a fan of the Persian greyhound. He even took them on his campaigns.

How much is and where to buy?

First, you should soberly assess your desires and clearly define for yourself why you want to have saluki. It is important to consider the features of dogs of this breed:

1. Resilience and the ability to make independent decisions.
2. The animal needs sufficient physical exertion and long walks.
3. Due to their independence, they are difficult to train.
4. Their certain coldness and alienation does not prevent them from being sufficiently attached to the owners.
5. With excellent health, some individuals of this breed may suffer from individual reactions. Particular care must be taken with anesthetics.

The breed is not a deficit. Their original appearance, restrained character and hunting qualities have made Persian greyhounds popular around the world. It is better to get a puppy in a specialized kennel with a long history and good reputation. As a rule, nurseries contain not one or two, but much more individuals. When buying, you should pay attention to the conditions in which animals are kept, study pedigrees and talk with breeders.

When choosing a puppy, it is important to pay attention not only to its gender and color, it is necessary to take into account its behavior and activity in general. It is better to invite a person who is already a saluki breeder and has experience in breeding representatives of this breed. A thoroughbred puppy with documents will cost buyers from 1,500 US dollars and above. Prices for some individuals are about $ 10,000 or more.

Important! When choosing this breed, it is necessary to take into account that pets have increased activity, require frequent walking and certain physical exertion. It is necessary that the rhythm of the host's life coincides with the needs of the animal.

This is not the best choice for very elderly people. But they will be great friends for those who like to play sports, and especially - running.

Video: Saluki dog breed