Breed of the week - the SALUKI

From now on, every Sunday, I'll be introducing you to a new breed of dog or cat. Whether you're already a pet owner, want to expand your pet family or are hesitating to acquire or adopt your first animal, I hope you'll find this little blog useful.

This Sunday, in honour of the UAE, I present the “local” breed, the magnificent, enigmatic and powerful Saluki.

Fast and clever, the distinctive Saluki dog breed has been a hunting and guard dog for the desert people of the Arabian Peninsula for 5,000 years. Indigenous to the region, this dog’s speed, intelligence and loyalty make it a breed much beloved by the UAE people. One of the oldest known breeds of domesticated dog, the Saluki comes in two varieties, smooth or ‘feathered’, with its name coming either from the city of Saluk in the Hadramout region of Yemen, where the dog may have first been domesticated, or from the Bani Saluk tribe in Yemen, which may have been the first tribe to domesticate the breed.

Today, Salukis are still known for their incredible speed, intelligence and stamina, traits that make them the perfect hunting companions. They have retained qualities of true sighthounds and may seem reserved to strangers. The often independent and aloof breed may be difficult to train, and they generally cannot be trusted to return to their owner when off-leash..... Training methods have been recommended to be always gentle and patient. Salukis may bore easily and are not an ideal breed to leave unattended for long periods; however, they are well-suited to life in apartments, since they are generally quiet and calm as adults. The saluki does not typically enjoy rough games or activities such as retrieving balls, but does enjoy soft toys. Early socialisation will help prevent timidity and shyness in later life. Given its hunting instincts, the dog is prone to chasing moving objects, such as cats, birds, squirrels, and bugs.

Height	58–71 cm (23–28 in)
Weight	18–27 kg (40–60 lb)
Coat	Smooth and "feathered" or short hair
Color	White, cream, fawn, red, grizzle/tan, black/tan, and tri-color (white, black and tan)
Life span	12–14 years

puppy