Saluki

Also known as: Gazelle hound

The Saluki is among the oldest known dog breeds, its likeness appearing on ancient Egyptian tomb art thousands of years old, and Bedouin hunters across the Middle East used it to run down gazelle and hare across open desert. A lean, streamlined body and an unusually flexible spine give it real speed over short distances, while feathered ears and legs help shield skin from harsh desert sun. A male weighs up to 27 kilograms but looks far lighter thanks to a lean, sinewy build. Salukis tend to be reserved with strangers and fairly independent, bonding with an owner more slowly than most breeds. Strong prey drive means an off-leash Saluki will often chase down small game without a backward glance. Life expectancy runs 12 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Saluki: how old in human years?

55–71 cmHeight
16–27 kgWeight
12–14 yrsLife expectancy

Deerhound

FCI group: Sighthounds
FCI section: Section 1: Long-haired or fringed Sighthounds
FCI: 269
Country of origin: Middle East

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

2/5
Family friendly

3/5
Grooming need

3/5

At a glance

Height

Males 58–71 cm

Females 55–68 cm

Weight

Males 18–27 kg

Females 16–24 kg

Life expectancy

12–14 yrs

Coat

smooth, silky, with feathering on ears, legs and tail (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Saluki's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 3/5
Good with children 2/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 2/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Saluki's energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 4/5
Apartment friendly 2/5
Prey drive 5/5
Hunting instinct 5/5

Guarding & Alertness

Saluki's guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 1/5
Barking level 1/5

Grooming & Care

Saluki's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 3/5

Living with the Saluki

A quiet room, a long, elegant dog stretched on the sofa, gazing out of the window. You have no idea that it spotted the cat frozen at the end of the garden a full minute ago. The Saluki is an ancient sighthound, bred to hunt by sight and at speed across open country, and that instinct hasn't gone anywhere: once it sees something running, it won't hear you calling, it will simply be gone. So free running belongs in a securely fenced space, and everywhere else the lead stays on.

It needs plenty of exercise every day: a long walk plus a chance to open up at full speed a few times. Indoors it is quiet, hardly barks, and is no guard dog at all; it is more likely to ignore a visitor than to announce one. A small flat feels cramped to it, and a garden with a tall fence is the best present you can give. It can learn, but at its own pace and only when it sees the point; harshness shuts it down, while patience and treats open it up.

With its own people a Saluki is gentle and devoted, though it shows affection with dignity rather than with a fuss. It usually gets on with other dogs, especially fellow runners of a similar temperament. Small, noisy children may be a bit much for such a sensitive dog, so it is happiest in a home that respects its calm and offers a soft spot to curl up in after the run.

Grooming and coat

A Saluki's coat is short, soft and silky, and on the ears, legs and tail it dresses up in longer feathering. A weekly pass over the body with a soft brush or a rubber mitt is plenty, while the feathering wants a wide-toothed comb, especially behind the ears and along the tail, where a small tangle becomes a big one before you know it. Shedding is light and the breed has little doggy smell, so baths are rare, unless a puddle intervenes. The skin is thin with little fat beneath it, so as you comb, feel for scratches from brambles or for ticks.

Long, feathered ears collect grass seeds and mud with ease, so after a walk through fields check them on both sides, and once a week lift them and look inside: clean and odour-free means all is well. Check the eyes after a run, wipe sleep away with a damp cloth, and take a red or watering eye to the vet. Some owners gather the ears into a loose fabric snood at mealtimes so the feathering doesn't end up in the bowl.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

The Saluki comes from the deserts of the Middle East, where a dog had to be hardy, light and fast, and that legacy still shows: a healthy Saluki can keep you company for twelve to fourteen years. Even so, there are a few conditions worth knowing in advance, so you can spot early when something isn't right. Take any worrying signs to a vet, who will decide what comes next.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Dental and gum disease

Plaque builds up on the teeth and hardens into tartar, and over time the gums become inflamed and start to recede. An early clue can be bad breath, or a reddened gum line when your Saluki yawns in your face. A long, narrow sighthound muzzle doesn't make life easy for teeth, so take a regular look inside the mouth and ask your vet to check the teeth at every visit.
Dilated cardiomyopathy

This is a disease of the heart muscle: the heart enlarges, its walls thin, and it pumps blood less and less strongly. You might notice your Saluki tiring sooner, coughing, or breathing faster while resting quietly. Because this dog is naturally lean and calm indoors, the changes can be subtle, so ask your vet for a careful listen to the heart, and if your dog suddenly collapses or faints, get it to a vet immediately.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)

The stomach fills with gas and can twist on itself, cutting off its own blood supply. The dog becomes restless, tries to vomit without bringing anything up, drools, and its belly swells and turns hard. A Saluki has the deep, narrow chest of a sighthound, and this is an emergency: if you see these signs, get your dog to a vet immediately.
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

This is an inherited disease of the nervous system: substances the body cannot break down build up in the brain cells, which gradually fail. A young dog that was bright and lively may begin to act strangely, becoming anxious or clumsy, bumping into things or seeing poorly. If you notice changes like these, see your vet, and before buying a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Hip dysplasia

The ball and socket of the hip joint don't fit together as they should, so the joint wears and can become painful. You might see your Saluki getting up stiffly after a long sleep, hesitating to jump into the car, or bunny-hopping with both hind legs together when it runs. Sound joints matter a great deal to a runner like this, so if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Cancer

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells, and it can start in almost any organ. On a lean Saluki a new lump under the skin or a thickening on a leg is easy to feel, as is unexplained weight loss or a fading appetite. Show any new lump, limp or tiredness that doesn't pass to a vet, who will decide what to look into.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (27 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 295 g of dry food a day, from €16,03 a month For a neutered, normally active 21,3 kg dog. Calculate for your dog