Mid-Atlantic Hound Association

Salukis Call him Saluki, Persian Greyhound, or Gazelle hound, the dog we now know as the Saluki is almost the same as when, 5,000 years ago, he was the beloved of Emperors and Princes of that far-off golden time of greatness before the Sumerian Empire. Later cherished by the Egyptians as "El Hor", The Noble One, he assumed a position of unparalled importance. Only those of high rank were permitted to own a Saluki.  The puppies were raised in the harem, while the adult hound was the constant companion of the Prince or Sheik, his master, the only animal allowed to share his palace, his tent, or his room.

Wonder owned and bred by Arlene Harris

So great was the esteem in which these hounds were held that their bodies were often mummified like the bodies of the Pharaohs themselves. The remains of numerous specimens have been found in the ancient tombs of the Upper Nile Region. Long before guns were invented, the true desert Arab bred the Saluki with the same care he gave to the breeding of his horses and used him to hunt the swift gazelle, the wild ass, and other game. The hawk was used to sight the game, then the hounds were freed to overtake it, while the hunters followed on their fleet horses. Many a time the Saluki's hunting ability was all that stood between the Arab and starvation. At one time, the Saluki was carried on camel-back to keep him fresh for the chase. On his native heath the Saluki gets no pampering. He lives hard, one reason for his strong constitution and sturdy frame. His feet are hard and firm, and the hair between the toes is a great protection. In all his running and dodging over the roughest kind of ground and rocky country, he will never damage pads or toes. Even today you will not find a Saluki wandering free in the Middle East. Many Arabs you speak to will not even admit to knowing that such a dog exists. The reason for this is that they are venerated as holy dogs, for if they were not holy, Arabs could not eat of the game captured by them, since any ordinary dog in the Middle East is considered a scavenger. It has only been in the past 40 or 50 years that the Saluki has appeared in the United States, and then only as a result of gifts of honor having been made to distinguished Westerners who, recognizing the value of the dogs, have begun breeding them here. No Saluki in the Middle East is ever purchased, even now. Originally, each tribe bred a separate, distinct type of Saluki; the blondes and fawns in the golden deserts; the blacks in the black lava deserts; and the pale ones with the smutty noses, highly valued, in North Africa. This difference in type was not at once recognized when breeding was begun here. Therefore, the strains were mixed, and we now have any number of different color combinations appearing in the same litter. Each and every color and pattern is acceptable under all standards. The beauty of the Saluki is that of the Arabian horse; grace and symmetry of form, clean-cut and graceful; short silky hair on his body except on the ears, legs and tail; slender well-muscled neck, shoulders, and thighs; arched loins; long tail carried naturally in a curve or circle with long silky hair hanging from the underside; the arched toes; the rather long head with deep far-seeing eyes; an expression of dignity mixed with gentleness. In the smooth variety of Saluki, the body, ears, tail, and legs are covered all over with short smooth hair much like that of the greyhound or whippet. There is a greater size range in the Saluki than in any other breed, from 23 inches in height to 28 inches in the males, and females proportionately smaller. The reason for this was that, depending on the amount of food available, Salukis were bred for the most economical size. Where gazelles were the size of jack rabbits, the Saluki was a very tiny hound; where the wild ass abounded, the largest or "donkey" Saluki was present. The Saluki's sight is famous. He can see clearly for at least a mile. Rather than watch a near-by object, a Saluki can often be seen gazing at a bird very high in the sky or at a passing plane. Still as elegant as the graceful gazelle they used to hunt, the Saluki, is not now bred as a hunting hound, since our spaces are not free enough from traffic to make them safe for the Saluki. They are now cherished as the beautiful, gentle pets they are. What to Expect in Saluki Temperament You will find very little physical punishment necessary. A Saluki's feelings are highly sensitive and for this reason, repetition of punishment for the same misdemeanor is seldom necessary. You will probably get a shock for the first time you scold your Saluki as they will let you know for the next hour or so that you have insulted them. Oddly enough, if they are trying something which they know is forbidden and are scolded, they will almost always apologize immediately with a great deal of tail wagging and kissing. Your Saluki is truly a family hound and will not be happy if he cannot share family life. He will accept being confined to his own quarters at night without argument, but will not appreciate being show out of affairs indefinitely. Will a Saluki be your Type of Dog? Yes, if ... You have a yard with a fence or can fence your lot. A Saluki pup is much faster than any member of your family, so a secure yard is essential for your own peace of mind, as well as to allow for unrestricted exercise for your Saluki. You prefer a large dog, but one that is a good house guest. As soon as puppy ungainliness passes, a Saluki respects furniture and ornaments. He may steal a cookie, but he will never break the plate it was on. He will appreciate being allowed on a piece of furniture but will not insist on additional privileges. You prefer a large dog that will not eat you out of house and home. An adult Saluki's appetite is quite modest; overweight problems are rare. No, if ... You are impatient. You think a dog's place is in the doghouse. You expect a Saluki to "sit up", "lie down", "roll over" and generally perform tricks on cue. A Saluki will very likely ignore this sort of thing, as he is easily bored by repetition. However, his general obedience is excellent.