Before bringing your new Saluki home, take the time to research the breed, think about your lifestyle, and how you’ll meet their needs as a puppy, adult, and senior. Be ready for the responsibilities of owning a sighthound that is both sensitive and active by talking to reputable Saluki breeders, owners, or breed clubs to learn more from those with firsthand experience.

Gentle, dignified and independent, Salukis are sensitive and reserved. They respond best to positive training methods. Kindness and patience are always the best approach.

 

Salukis are exotic, beautiful, and spirited. They are clean, do not shed much, and draw lots of attention when taken for a walk in the neighborhood. But they are also hunters with thousands of years of purposeful breeding behind them. They will run after anything that is fuzzy and moves and will sometimes catch and kill their targets. Salukis are not to be trusted off leash in an unsafe area. Also, Salukis are much too fast and clever to catch if they accidentally sneak out the door. Salukis tend to sleep on beds, sofas, and chairs rather than on floors. Gentle, dignified and independent, Salukis are sensitive and reserved. They respond best to positive training methods. Kindness and patience are always the best approach.

Owning a Saluki can be rewarding, but it’s important to be aware of their breed’s specific needs and characteristics. Here are some considerations:

• Exercise: Salukis have considerable energy and a strong prey drive. They require regular, vigorous exercise. Off-leash activity in a securely fenced area is the best idea because of their strong hunting instincts, intense focus, and natural ability to gallop much faster than you can run.
• Socialization: Early and ongoing socialization is crucial. Salukis can be reserved or aloof with strangers, so exposing them to various people, different surroundings, and other stimuli from a young age will help them become well-adjusted, well-mannered, confident adults and good canine citizens.
• Grooming: Salukis typically have a short, smooth body coat requiring minimal grooming. Regular brushing to remove loose hair, any dirt, and the occasional bath are usually sufficient to keep them clean. For heavily feathered Salukis, more frequent brushing of the ears and tail may be necessary to avoid matting. Regular teeth brushing and nail trimming are important. Occasionally, ear wax may need to be removed or anal glands expressed.

Done on a regular basis, these maintenance jobs will keep your dog in good health and reduce the need for visits to the clinic. Your veterinarian or breeder can show you how these are done.

Temperament: Salukis are known to be gentle and reserved. Being sensitive, they respond best to positive, reward-based training techniques. Harsh methods are to be avoided.

Prey Drive: As mentioned above, Salukis have a strong prey drive and will chase nearly anything that moves or runs away from them. So be extra careful with your Saluki around smaller animals. Off-leash walks should be done in secure areas, and interactions with smaller pets should be supervised.

Living With You: Breeders recommend that your Saluki has a home with a yard with a secure, high fence, 6’ or higher, that offers adequate room for running at speed.   Keeping your Saluki healthy through exercise is a large commitment as they do need a secure outdoor space to run, a safe beach, or those long walks. In the home, they generally are very “catlike” — perching on a chair to gaze out your window or curled up on the couch after a good run.

Your Companion: Salukis will form strong bonds with their people and thrive on companionship. He/she may experience anxiety if left alone for extended periods while learning to live in the new home. Begin with your Saluki being safely crated for short sessions of a few minutes while you leave. Over time, work your way up to longer and longer periods. There are plenty of books and websites offering positive-reinforcement, crate-training methods. Eventually, you should be able to leave your mature Saluki in the house or yard without worrying about anxiety destruction.

Ambient Temperatures: Because of their fine body fur and lack of an insulating fat layer, Salukis may be sensitive to extreme cold and heat. In the cold, they may need a coat and in very hot weather it’s important to provide water and shade and avoid strenuous activity. You should allow them to rest, just as you would after exertion on a hot day.

Breed-Specific Activities: Salukis often enjoy running activities. One popular sport is lure coursing, where hounds (utilizing their natural prey drive) chase an artificial lure around a grassy course.  Participating in dog sports or activities, such as rally, agility, obedience, flyball, and even dock-diving, that engage their physical and mental abilities can be fulfilling for both of you. You’ll meet other like-minded sighthound owners and develop friends and a community. Activities with your Saluki

Commitment as an Owner: Salukis generally live a long life, often into their early to mid-teens —or even longer. You should be committed to meeting your dog’s needs throughout his/her life. After all, they would do it for you. The number one killer of young Salukis is being hit by a car, which is why we stress finding safe areas for them to run. Most Salukis eventually die from standard old age illnesses such as cancer or congestive heart failure.