Saluki

Saluki - the Persian greyhounds, whose ancestors lived in the Middle East during the times of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Representatives of this breed are the fastest. It is not surprising that Saluki has a lot of fans, and breeders and owners are sure that these are the best four-legged friends that a person can have.

Breed origin

The roots of the breed go back so deep into the centuries that it is difficult to determine exactly where it originated. Many researchers are inclined to believe that it was the Saluki that became the first dogs living next to humans.

The starting point of their distribution was Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Archaeologists working in the Middle East quite often found images of such dogs among the artifacts. The oldest of them date back to 3,500 BC. In addition, these animals were depicted in Egyptian tombs.

The name of the breed is associated with the Arab city of Saluki or Syrian Seleucia. Muslims attribute these dogs to pure animals, and the Bedouins who hunt from Saluki call them “gifts of Allah.” It was in these tribes that representatives of the breed were formed, and even then the nomads took care of the purity of the breed.

Thanks to the nomadic way of life of their owners, dogs became widespread in the Middle East, and by the Middle Ages penetrated into European countries.

Description Saluki breed

Back in ancient times, dogs were valued for their external beauty and noble appearance, in addition to this, dogs were distinguished by their endurance and high speed. From Saluki they hunted small animals such as a rabbit, a fox, a hare and a gazelle. The dog could overtake the prey and hold it until the hunter arrived and killed her.

These graceful animals lived in tents and were brought to the place of hunting on horses or camels. Another caveat - Salukis were not for sale, it was possible to get such a pet only as a gift.

Needless to say, these animals should beat to have amazing abilities and unique appearance. And their data is really impressive. These are graceful, sophisticated animals, similar to Greyhounds, but covered with thick hair.

Their pure blood has been preserved for thousands of years, and this deserves respect. Saluki is tall, slim, even a thin dog, height in withers is 58-71 cm, bitches slightly lower, they weigh from 18 to 27 kg.

Many owners hear from strangers: “You'd better feed your pet, you can see its ribs.” Actually, only those who do not know anything about the features of the breed say that, because healthy, vigorous salukis have ribs and should be viewed and this is not a sign of exhaustion.

Such a lean figure allows animals to run at a speed of 70 km / h, which is impossible to achieve for dogs with overweight. In the standard, you can find the following description of dogs of this breed:

1. The head is proportional, narrow, graceful; there is a bulge between the ears, the stop is a smooth line.
2. The muzzle is elongated, narrowing to the nose, with powerful jaws, strong teeth and correct bite.
3. Nose is tender, pigmented with black or brown color.
4. The eyes are large, expressive, almond-shaped, the shade of the iris varies from black to light brown tones.
5. The auricles hang down the sides of the muzzle, when excited they rise when the dog is calm adjoining.
6. The neck is elongated, with a smooth bend developed by muscles.
7. The body is elongated, muscular, with a deep, powerful cell, slightly arched loin and widely spaced pelvic bones; the inguinal line is well tucked.
8. The tail is set low, the length is up to the hock, the tip is bent up by the semiring. In a calm state, it does not rise above the line of the spine.
9. The limbs are parallel, they have strong bones, well-laid back shoulders, and the back has well-developed hips and legs.
10. Toes on paws are arched, elongated, tight-fitting, with black claws and elastic, durable pads.

Coat and possible colors

Among Saluki there are individuals with a smooth coat or “in feathers”. Dogs with the second type of wool are more common. All members of the breed have elongated hair on the ears, but for long-haired dogs it is longer, there are also hair in the area of ​​the tail and on the back of the limbs.

The color of the coat is practically unlimited; the standard is not allowed only tiger color, as well as animals with albinism. Most often found with white, gray, fawn wool, fawn, red, black and tan, pinto dogs.

Saluki traits and temper

Most of the representatives of the breed have an even character, so the owner can get at least a dozen pets. If you select one characteristic feature - low sociability. The first breeders from the Middle East instilled in them a sense of aloofness. This was done deliberately so that it was impossible for a stranger to take these dogs away from the house.

This quality led to the fact that the Saluki do not like to cringe and suck up to the owner. Than to serve, they prefer to coexist alongside the person. Salukis are indifferent to strangers - we are not talking about any aggression or rejection, but we should not expect joy from pets.

However, their independence and some estrangement, on the contrary, attract attention. Saluki considered immaculate animals with angelic character. The owner only needs to find an approach to the pet and learn to communicate with it.

Caress and love - that's what you need to melt the heart of this dog. Despite some detachment, she needs a family and her own person. It is important that people live in peace with each other, as the Saluki are very sensitive to rudeness, strained relationships, pets need love, understanding and some reverence.

Persians are not averse to lie on the couches or the master bed, and, remaining alone, they can entertain themselves in an inappropriate way. To keep shoes and furniture intact, the pet must be provided with suitable toys.

Education and training

When a puppy of such a difficult breed appears in the house, the owner should immediately show that he is the main thing in the house. Dog training is to master the main program - the dog must know the place, be approached on command, stop and figure out what to do in no case. Giving difficult tasks to these dogs is not worth it, they are too willful to masterly perform whatever the owner wants.

It is impossible to treat a pet scornfully or unfairly to punish - such a dog will remember exactly and you will have to forget about fruitful teamwork. Punishing a greyhound is not recommended, it is better, on the contrary, to stimulate the pet in every possible way with affection, praise, encouragement.

Saluki require an individual approach, and if there is mutual understanding and trust between the owner and the pet, then the training will be very successful. Choosing as a pet the Persian greyhound, you need to take into account its love of freedom. It is important for a dog to walk for a long time, otherwise it will lose its excellent physical shape and may even get sick or make obesity.

Like other greyhounds, Persians, it is important to spend energy and get exercise, it can be hunting, long runs, workouts. Although there is no particular difficulty for such a dog - he is able to catch up with the beast for a minute, but he gets more pleasure from long runs, and does not show the slightest sign of fatigue.

It is not worthwhile to start a Saluki dog to beginners who are unfamiliar with the characteristics of dressage - it will be very, very difficult, it may even seem that the pet is not trained at all. It is necessary to start classes from puppyhood, since the behavior of an adult greyhound is almost impossible to correct.

But even a puppy is able to be stubborn. Also you shouldn’t repeat the same command for a long time - this pet will not like it, it will perform the task 3-4 times, and on the 5th it can pretend that it doesn’t apply to it.

Care and health

Salukis do not have undercoat, so they do not have the specific smell of dog. These are clean animals that barely shed, so their wool does not require complex care. The pet needs the following procedures:

1. Wool . Greyhounds are bathed rarely, only when necessary, using detergents suitable for this type of wool. Sometimes you can do without washing by wiping the dog’s body with a damp cloth. Salukis do not require frequent scratching, and it is enough to treat wool once a week with a silicone or rubber mitt. Such an event has a positive effect not only on the condition of the coat, but also on the skin, being a kind of massage. For combing, you can also use brushes with natural bristles. It is better to comb long-haired individuals with a comb with metal teeth.
2. Auricles . Due to the fact that they are closed, greyhound ears are deprived of natural ventilation, therefore dirt often accumulates in them and inflammation occurs. They should be regularly inspected and cleaned from contamination with a cotton pad. In addition, it is recommended to purchase a special pharmacy with antiseptic action, which is poured into the ears, massaged from the outside, and then the animal is released - the dog begins to shake his head, thereby, foreign particles fall out.
3. Eyes They should be regularly inspected, especially after the dog runs through a wooded area, and if souring appears in the eyes, foreign particles are washed with an antiseptic, weak tea leaves or herbal decoction.
4. Teeth . Greyhounds often develop plaque on enamel and tartar, to avoid this, it is recommended to brush your teeth 1-2 times a week using a brush and a pet shop paste. Additionally, you can give your pet dentistry treats - bones, sticks, preventive toys.
5. Claws Since the saluki are quite active animals, grinding their claws occurs naturally. Usually they are clipped only on rudimentary fifth fingers.

For health and well-being, greyhounds require daily walking and a couple of times a week active activities. Experienced breeders recommend to newly minted owners to consider the option of the pet's participation in sports or pre-sale events.

Breed diseases

The average life expectancy of the Persian greyhounds is 12-14 years, and due to the fact that the breed has retained its original, its members do not suffer from genetic diseases. However, dogs of this breed can still develop the following diseases and pathological conditions:

• hypersensitivity to anesthetics. Dogs of this breed require less preparation than animals weighing the same, since they have a very small fat layer;
• cardiomyopathy - pathological changes in the myocardium;
• hypothyroidism - reducing the level of hormones produced by the thyroid gland.

If we look at the general picture, then the Persian greyhounds are in good health, according to the owners, such pets are rarely sick. According to the American Association of Dog Handlers, only 5% of purebred individuals have any diseases.

How and what to feed

The Persian greyhounds, even among their variety, are rather slender dogs, they consume little liquid and are rather picky in their food. Experienced Arab breeders practice feeding these dogs with natural food. Their diet consists of the following products:

• veal and lamb;
• chicken and turkey;
• fish;
• vegetables with a solid texture;
• unsweetened fruit: apples, pears; citruses are prohibited;
• fermented milk products - no more than 2 times a week kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt;
• eggs - 1 piece in 3-4 days.

In addition, the Arabs believe that the Saluki do not need cereals at all. Representatives of this breed have an intensive metabolism, therefore it is desirable to feed them more often 2 times a day. Regarding supplementation with vitamins, the issue is decided individually after consulting with a veterinarian.

It is allowed to feed Persian greyhounds with dry production rations, but these should be high-quality products - super premium. In addition, the feed must be intended for active dogs.

Dog content

Today, more and more often, owners start saluki for housing maintenance, which is not surprising during a general urbanization. But in this case, the owners must be prepared for all sorts of difficulties.

Ideal accommodation for the Persian greyhound is a country house with a spacious aviary. These dogs need space, their own territory. It should be borne in mind that they are able to overcome the highest fences and can go towards traveling - this is in their blood.

Saluki photos

Saluki Video

Buying a puppy

Saluki is a peculiar breed of dogs, beautiful and wayward. It is recommended to acquire such a pet in a specialized nursery, where they can give a guarantee about the pure breed and health of the animal.

A puppy from a domestic kennel will cost from 25,000 to 50,000 rubles. Also, future owners have the opportunity to purchase a baby from abroad, in this case it will have to pay from 65,000 rubles and more. The best nurseries of the country are:

• Imran, Moscow http://imran-saluki.ru/ru/contact;
• Dioskuri, Moscow http://www.saluki.ru/contact.htm.

Saluki is a living presentation of what dogs looked like several thousand years ago. They retained their appearance, dignity, hunting qualities, pride. Such a pet will be an excellent four-legged friend, but much is required of the owner - respect, love and patience.