The Saluki can be a wonderful companion for the right home. They are beautiful animals who were developed with necessity out of one of the harshest regions of the world. They have also adapted wonderfully to living on the couches of their modern owners with the right understanding of the breed.
The Saluki is a breed of moderation. Their breed standard calls moderate angulation, moderately narrow width of chest, moderately wide skulls between the ears. They are not true sprinters like the greyhound, but they don't run long distance like the foxhounds or the husky; instead, they ran middle distances in the desert. Like their moderate body proportions, their energy requirements could be described as somewhere in the middle. They're not hyperactive, nor are they total couch potatoes. They make good "weekend-warrior" dogs because of this. Their temperament could also be described as something in the middle as well. They are not golden retrievers, and many of them would rather not be touched by strangers who approach them, there are always exceptions of course, but they should not be fearful either. They are generally aloof and reserved with the world around them though loving with their own families.
They are hounds, and like other hounds, do have a certain degree of independence. It was a necessity for their ancestors to work independently bringing down game in the Middle East, and so that independence has carried on to our hounds today. They are not impossible to train, but require patience; they are not people-pleasers. They have a "What's in it for me?" attitude about many things, and I can't blame them. However, while you may not get an avid trick performing dog, they are generally not unruly dogs, and mesh easily with home life when they're well-exercised adults who have learned how to behave. It's important to differentiate unruly dogs from independent dogs, just as it's important to differentiate independent dogs from dumb ones. Salukis are incredibly intelligent dogs that get bored with repetition easily.
The Saluki, like any other breed, requires regular exercise which for them is best spent sprinting in a large fenced area. I was shocked at how much easier it was to own two Salukis rather than one. They love to chase each other and play in the yard. It is important that the area that they are allowed to run in is safe for them. They will chase anything that moves, squirrels, birds, deer, cats, etc., and they do not look both ways before crossing roads. It is important that any prospective owner have a tall fenced area (6ft+) ready for their new Saluki to run in.
An owner that can provide appropriate home with the space, time, and patience to exercise and train a Saluki properly will be thoroughly rewarded with the devoted affection of these exceptional creatures.
The Saluki is a breed of moderation. Their breed standard calls moderate angulation, moderately narrow width of chest, moderately wide skulls between the ears. They are not true sprinters like the greyhound, but they don't run long distance like the foxhounds or the husky; instead, they ran middle distances in the desert. Like their moderate body proportions, their energy requirements could be described as somewhere in the middle. They're not hyperactive, nor are they total couch potatoes. They make good "weekend-warrior" dogs because of this. Their temperament could also be described as something in the middle as well. They are not golden retrievers, and many of them would rather not be touched by strangers who approach them, there are always exceptions of course, but they should not be fearful either. They are generally aloof and reserved with the world around them though loving with their own families.
They are hounds, and like other hounds, do have a certain degree of independence. It was a necessity for their ancestors to work independently bringing down game in the Middle East, and so that independence has carried on to our hounds today. They are not impossible to train, but require patience; they are not people-pleasers. They have a "What's in it for me?" attitude about many things, and I can't blame them. However, while you may not get an avid trick performing dog, they are generally not unruly dogs, and mesh easily with home life when they're well-exercised adults who have learned how to behave. It's important to differentiate unruly dogs from independent dogs, just as it's important to differentiate independent dogs from dumb ones. Salukis are incredibly intelligent dogs that get bored with repetition easily.
The Saluki, like any other breed, requires regular exercise which for them is best spent sprinting in a large fenced area. I was shocked at how much easier it was to own two Salukis rather than one. They love to chase each other and play in the yard. It is important that the area that they are allowed to run in is safe for them. They will chase anything that moves, squirrels, birds, deer, cats, etc., and they do not look both ways before crossing roads. It is important that any prospective owner have a tall fenced area (6ft+) ready for their new Saluki to run in.
An owner that can provide appropriate home with the space, time, and patience to exercise and train a Saluki properly will be thoroughly rewarded with the devoted affection of these exceptional creatures.