SCRAPS Breed Profile

Stats

Country of Origin: Group: Use today: Hunter and Racing Life Span: 10 to 12 years Color: Coat colors include white, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle and tan, black and tan tricolor or white, black and tan. Coat: The coat is short with long, silky feathering on the ears and tail. A rarer, coarser, smooth variety with no feathering also occurs. Grooming: This odor-free dog's coat is easy to groom. Just occasionally brush and comb, especially on the longer-haired parts of the dog. The ears should be checked regularly to make sure they are clean. The Saluki is an average shedder. Height: 23 - 28 inches Weight: 29 - 66 pounds

Profile

In Brief: Independent and cat-like, the Saluki is The coat is short with long, silky feathering on a typical - he can be taught obedience, the ears and tail. A rarer, coarser, smooth but requires patience and consistency from his variety with no feathering also occurs. Coat owner. The breed will instinctively run after colors include white, cream, fawn, golden, red, anything that moves, so they must be kept on grizzle and tan, black and tan tricolor or white, leash or in a fenced area during their daily black and tan. It has an unusual gait when at top exercise. Although the breed appears graceful speed: all four legs are in the air at the same and fragile, don't be fooled - the Saluki is an avid time. hunter and possesses the strength and endurance to chase quarry over long distances Temperament: The Saluki is gentle, friendly, and difficult terrain. Today, this sight hound is even-tempered and extremely devoted. It can be popular at events and in the show somewhat aloof, even with its family. This loyal ring. can be coated (with feathering on dog may become attached to one person. Good the legs) or smooth. In both varieties, colors with children who do not try and roughhouse include white, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle with it. Sensitive, this breed does not take kindly and tan, tricolor, and black and tan. A clean to harsh discipline. It must be trained with calm, breed, Saluki coats shed little, but they still gentle, but firm, consistency. These are require weekly brushing and occasional bathing. fairly submissive by nature to people and dogs and are easily distracted. Be sure you remain Description: The Saluki is a slim, - the dog's pack leader so the dog feels secure like dog. The head is long and narrow, with his surroundings. Dogs want nothing more moderately wide between the ears, tapering than to know what is expected of them and the gradually toward the nose with a slight stop. The Saluki is no exception. The Saluki does well with nose is black or liver in color. The teeth meet in other Salukis. They are a pleasant and calm a level bite. The large, oval eyes are dark to companion and make good watchdogs. Though hazel in color. The long, mobile ears hang down not aggressive with people, the Saluki's natural close to the head. The neck is long and the instinct is to chase and kill non-canine animals. chest is deep and narrow. The front legs are They may need obedience training to keep their straight. The feet are thickly haired between the deep-rooted hunting instincts under control, but toes for protection from rough terrain. The long you can never train the instinct out of the tail is carried low and is well feathered with hair. dog. Take great caution around pets such as birds, guinea pigs, hamsters and rabbits. They Origins: The Saluki, also called the Gazelle can get along with family cats if the cat is Hound, Arabian Hound, or Persian Greyhound, allowed to assert its dominance over the dog, is native to the area from eastern Turkestan to but may chase strange cats. Turkey. It is believed to be closely related to the , which is another ancient Living Conditions: The Saluki is not breed. The Saluki is the royal dog of , and recommended for apartment life. These dogs perhaps one of the oldest domesticated dogs are relatively inactive indoors and will do best known to man. It was named after the Arabian with acreage. This breed should sleep indoors. city "Saluki" in the , which no longer They prefer warm temperatures over cold ones. exists today. Their bodies were often found mummified alongside the bodies of the Exercise: The Saluki is a natural athlete that Pharaohs themselves, and their pictures appear in ancient Egyptian tombs dating from 2100 BC. needs a lot of exercise, including a daily, long, brisk walk or run. They are happiest The Muslims considered them a sacred gift of when running, however many are lost or killed Allah, and they were never sold but only offered as gifts of friendship or honor. Salukis with a when they are allowed to get free and they spot patch of white in the middle of the forehead are a small animal to chase. This very independent thought by tribes to have "the kiss of dog can never be off its lead except in an Allah" and are regarded as special. Incredibly isolated, scouted area. These dogs hunt on sight. They will pay no attention to their handler's fast even over rough terrain, this desert sight calls if they are chasing something. In some hunter was used by the to hunt gazelle, the fastest of the antelopes, along with fox, countries they are not permitted to be left off of jackal and hare. They have also been successful their lead at all. Salukis run at top speeds of 40 as racing dogs. The Saluki was recognized by mph (55km/h) or more with their feet barely touching the ground. These top speeds are the AKC in 1929. reached in short spurts, but they also have exceptional endurance. An excellent way to exercise your Salukis is to let it trot alongside your bike.

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