RARE
FOR A REASON
The saluki is an ancient hunting hound, bred to chase and bring down
and/or kill a variety of game. A saluki requires a substantial commitment
of time and money to care for and properly exercise. Salukis are wonderful
companions if their basic needs are met, but, the saluki is not for
everyone. Although owning a saluki and living in a city or apartment
are possible, finding a safe (fenced) area for their exercise is essential
and may require traveling for some distance on a daily basis. Please
give full consideration to this crucial requirement. The saluki community
is small and totally dedicated to encouraging new owners to fully explore
the many facets of saluki companionship. Saluki activities include (but
are not limited to)agility, conformation (dog shows), racing (LGRA,
track, oval, etc.), lure coursing (see links page), open field coursing
(where permitted), obedience, tracking and therapy. I provide the saluki
standard below as this is the model for a perfect saluki.
If you are determined
to own a saluki, then please visit the links page. As with all sentient
beings, salukis are a life time commitment. The parent club for the
breed is the Saluki Club of America (on links page). There are also
numerous local and regional clubs and associations who are dedicated
to the education of owners (and future owners) of the saluki and sighthounds
in general.
Saluki history is fascinating and spans the Far, Near and Middle East
and beyond. Saluki type is varied as befitting a hound that exists in
a vast area almost from the beginning of civilization and where cultures
co-mingled--forging this most perfect hunting hound that we find even
today. Begin your journey and explore these pages and the links provided
to gain a deeper knowledge of this treasured ancient hunting hound.
Recommended reading:
The Saluki in
History, Art and Sport by Hope and David Waters
Saluki, Companion of Kings by Vera H. Watkins (Windswift Salukis) ISBN
0 903879 10 7
Book of the Breed, The Complete Saluki by Diana and Ken Allan ISBN 0-87605-274-X
The Saluqi Coursing Hound of the East, Edited by Gail Goodman ISBN:
0-9639224-0-8
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AMERICAN
KENNEL CLUB
Official Standard for the SALUKI ©
Head-Long and narrow, skull moderately wide between the ears, not domed,
stop not pronounced, the whole showing great quality.
Nose-black or liver.
Ears-Long and covered with long silky hair hanging close to the skull
and mobile.
Eyes-Dark to hazel and bright; large and oval, but not prominent.
Teeth-Strong and level.
Neck-Long, supple and well muscled.
Chest-Deep and moderately narrow.
Forequarters-Shoulders sloping and set well back, well muscled without
being coarse.
Forelegs-Straight and long from the elbow to the knee.
Hindquarters-Strong, hipbones set well apart and stifle moderately bent,
hocks low to the ground, showing galloping and jumping power.
Loin and Back-Back fairly broad, muscles slightly arched over loin.
Feet-Of moderate length, toes long and well arched, not splayed out,
but at the same time not cat-footed; the whole being strong and supple
and well feathered between the toes.
Tail-Long, set on low and carried naturally in a curve, well feathered
on the underside with long silky hair, not bushy.
Coat-Smooth and of a soft silky texture, slight feather on the legs,
feather at the back of the thighs and sometimes with slight woolly feather
on the thigh and shoulder.
Colors-White, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle and tan, tricolor (white,
black and tan) and black and tan.
General Appearance-The whole appearance of this breed should give an
impression of grace and symmetry and of great speed and endurance coupled
with strength and activity to enable it to kill gazelle or other quarry
over deep sand or rocky mountains. The expression should be dignified
and gentle with deep, faithful, far-seeing eyes. Dogs should average
in height from 23 to 28 inches and bitches may be considerably smaller,
this being very typical of the breed.
The Smooth Variety-In this variety the points should be the same with
the exception of the coat, which has no feathering.
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