Saluki
One of the oldest sighthound lineages, kept by nomadic peoples across the Middle East to course gazelle. Quiet, sensitive and deeply attached to its family, but poor on recall and genuinely in need of somewhere safe to run.
- Weight
- 18–29 kg
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
Weight and lifespan are reference ranges from the breed guide. They vary by sex, lineage and individual dog and do not predict your dog’s ideal weight or lifespan. Read the care descriptions alongside the individual dog’s history.
Background and characteristics
The Saluki was kept across the Middle East and western Asia by nomadic peoples who hunted gazelle and hare, with the dog running ahead and holding the quarry while the hunters followed on horseback. Working independently at distance for long periods is written into both the body and the temperament: extremely fine legs, a deep chest, thin skin, and a mind that decides for itself. Both feathered dogs, with longer hair on the ears, tail and legs, and smooth-coated dogs are correct in the breed.
Temperament and living together
The temperament is quiet and notably sensitive. Salukis rarely bark, tend to withdraw rather than confront around strangers, and attach very closely to their own people, often insisting on sleeping in contact with them. Harsh handling backfires badly: pressure produces shutdown, not compliance.
Short, gentle, reward-based sessions work. Recall remains the breed's weak point, so open ground off lead is not a reasonable risk.
Exercise and play
For exercise, plan two walks of forty to sixty minutes plus two or three sessions a week of free galloping in a securely fenced space. Salukis have more stamina than most sighthounds and are not fully satisfied by pavement walking alone.
Coat and everyday care
Grooming is undemanding. The body coat is short and smooth and needs brushing once or twice a week; feathered dogs need the ears, tail and leg furnishings worked through two or three times a week to prevent tangles. The lean build matters more than the coat: provide a thick bed to prevent pressure sores, and a coat for winter walks.
Health considerations
Medically, the sighthound anaesthesia issue comes first — always tell your vet the breed before any procedure. Routine bloodwork also looks different in this group, with higher red cell counts and lower thyroid values than the general canine reference range, and dogs are sometimes treated unnecessarily as a result. Cardiac disease and skin lacerations from the thin skin are also reported.
Home environment and care planning
Indoors a Saluki is an easy housemate: clean, quiet and largely inactive. The question to answer honestly before you take one on is whether you have regular, reliable access to safe fenced running space, because a Saluki with nowhere to run is a frustrated dog.