Explore the breed's characteristics, health, and history — and find trusted breeders
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Saluki enjoys excellent health, as this ancient sighthound breed is largely unaffected by most hereditary conditions common in larger breeds. Breeders should perform mandatory heart screenings via ultrasound to rule out cardiac issues like cardiomyopathy. Since joint conditions such as hip dysplasia are also rare in this athletic breed, the Saluki is considered an exceptionally robust and healthy dog.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Height
54–71 cm
Weight
16–27 kg
Practical
Typical coat colors
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Saluki, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →The Saluki is a dignified, lightning-fast sighthound—bred in the Middle East to hunt game across endless desert stretches by sight, which makes them extremely athletic and highly independent.
The real vibes check
A Saluki is essentially a noble cat in the body of an Olympic sprinter. At home, they will lie decoratively and almost silently for hours on the softest cushion they can find—but outside, a jumping hare is all it takes for them to switch into uncompromising hunting mode. You aren't getting an obedient command-follower, but an independent spirit who decides for themselves whether working with you is worth the effort at that moment.
The Saluki, also known as the Persian Greyhound or Arabian Greyhound, is a real feast for the eyes. Its slim and graceful physique is the result of thousands of years of careful selection, making it one of the fastest and most agile dogs on the planet. The Saluki is part of FCI Group 10, which includes sighthounds, and Section 1, which includes long-haired or fringed sighthounds. A distinctive feature of the Saluki is its beautiful, streamlined body, which makes it an excellent runner. The breed has long, slender legs and a deep chest that provides enough space for the heart and lungs to deliver enough oxygen during long runs. The dogs have either short or slightly longer hair. Salukis with longer fur often have a silky "fringe" on the ears and tail, while the short-haired version has practically no fringe. In terms of color, Salukis can have a wide range, from white to cream, gold, red, black and silver, often with various patterns and markings too.
The Saluki is one of the oldest dog breeds in existence. Its roots go back thousands of years to the time of the Pharaohs in ancient Egypt. In fact, images of Saluki-like dogs have been found on the walls of pharaohs' tombs, dating back up to 4,000 years. The dogs were bred in the Middle East and were particularly valued for their speed and endurance, which made them excellent hunting dogs. The breed was only introduced to the West in the 19th century and got its name from the Arabic city of Saluki, which means "noble". They were recognized as a separate breed by the English Kennel Club in 1923 and by the American Kennel Club in 1929.
The Saluki was bred as a hunting dog for hunting gazelles and other game in desert regions.
Middle East
Antike
With its proud demeanor and gentle, independent nature, the Saluki is a special dog. He is often described as reserved and reserved, especially towards strangers. But for those For those who are lucky enough to gain his trust, he shows deep affection and loyalty. Salukis are not dogs that constantly seek human attention. While they appreciate the company of their humans, they are also happy when they can spend time alone. That's why they usually learn quickly to stay alone. But despite their independence, they should not be left alone for long periods of time otherwise they may suffer from separation anxiety. Although they are known as calm and easy-going dogs, Salukis also have a lively and playful side. They love to run and play, especially outdoors. Their eagerness to move is a reminder of their days as hunting dogs in the desert. For this reason, Salukis often exhibit strong hunting behavior and should be kept in a safe environment or securely leashed when outside. A garden should be securely fenced in as Salukis can make amazingly high jumps. In terms of their alertness, Salukis are generally not particularly alert dogs. They can be reserved and reserved around strangers, but they are not known to be aggressive or overly protective. Their main drive is hunting and running, not guarding.
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Although Salukis are known for their speed and endurance, they are also excellent jumpers and can leap over obstacles up to 2 meters high.
Salukis are active dogs with a very high hunting motivation. They need lots of exercise and activity. It is a big challenge to stop a Saluki from hunting, so free running is not always possible.
Although Salukis, with their calm and reserved nature, are able to live in urban environments, they require a lot of exercise and mental exercise. A home with a well-fenced yard would be ideal for them. They generally get along well with children and can live with other pets in the same family, but their strong hunting instincts can make them a danger to smaller pets.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Gets on well with children — with adult supervision.
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.!
Salukis are intelligent and trainable, but they can also be independent and stubborn, which can make training a challenge. It is important that training is based on positive reinforcement and requires patience and consistency. Salukis benefit from activities that promote their physical and mental fitness, such as agility, lure coursing, or simply running and playing. However, they also have a high need for rest and should not be overwhelmed. An important aspect of training a Saluki is teaching him to control his natural hunting instincts. This can be achieved through training and offering alternatives such as games and search games.
Salukis are high-energy dogs that require a balanced diet rich in high-quality proteins and healthy fats. It is important that they receive an adequate amount of nutrients to support their active lifestyle. Feeding should be tailored to each dog's individual needs, including their age, weight and health status. Caring for a Saluki is generally quite simple. Their fur is short to medium long and partially has an undercoat. They shed moderately, but regular brushing can help keep their coat clean and healthy. Despite their origins in the hot Middle East, Salukis can adapt well to various climate conditions, including German weather. However, they should be protected from cold in winter as they have low body fat.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding No or minimal hair loss — suitable for allergy sufferers. | No shedding |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.!
Robust
The Saluki enjoys excellent health, as this ancient sighthound breed is largely unaffected by most hereditary conditions common in larger breeds. Breeders should perform mandatory heart screenings via ultrasound to rule out cardiac issues like cardiomyopathy. Since joint conditions such as hip dysplasia are also rare in this athletic breed, the Saluki is considered an exceptionally robust and healthy dog.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
For a long and active life, you should ensure they are raised in a way that is gentle on their joints and schedule regular veterinary check-ups for their heart and thyroid.
Reputable breeders have the parent dogs tested for heart, eye, and thyroid conditions and monitor their lines for hereditary neurological disorders as well as tumor risks.
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Wer sich einen Saluki ins Haus holt, muss sich von dem Gedanken verabschieden, einen 'Kadavergehorsam' wie bei anderen Rassen zu erleben. Wenn ich meinem früheren Hund ein Kommando gegeben habe, hat er sich fast überschlagen, um es auszuführen. Mein Saluki-Rüde hingegen schaut mich erst einmal an und wägt ab, ob sich das Ganze für ihn überhaupt lohnt. Seine Erziehung erfordert unglaublich viel Fingerspitzengefühl, Geduld und eine absolut sanfte, konsequente Hand.
Im Haus ist er ein Traum von einem Hund – extrem ruhig, elegant und er haart kaum. Aber draußen kommt seine wahre Natur zum Vorschein. Der Jagdtrieb ist enorm und kaum kontrollierbar, sobald er etwas laufen sieht. Ein ungesicherter Freilauf ist für uns im Alltag fast unmöglich, weshalb wir regelmäßig auf eingezäunte Windhundausläufe oder die Rennbahn angewiesen sind, damit er sich richtig auspowern kann.
Ich habe die Erfahrung gemacht, dass Salukis oft unterschätzt werden, was ihre Eigenständigkeit angeht. Unsere Hündin hat uns anfangs extrem auf Trab gehalten. Sie ist völlig windhunduntypisch in jedes Schlammloch gesprungen und hat jeden Misthaufen im Umkreis zielstrebig angesteuert. Sie sind eben sehr selbstbewusst und gehen im Zweifel gerne ihre eigenen Wege.
Man muss sich bewusst sein, dass diese Hunde für die Sichtjagd gezüchtet wurden. Das bedeutet, dass man im Alltag immer vorausschauend unterwegs sein muss. Ohne Leine laufen lassen geht bei uns nur in absolut sicheren, hoch eingezäunten Bereichen, da sie im Sprint unfassbare Geschwindigkeiten erreichen und dann auf keinen Ruf mehr reagieren. Trotzdem möchte ich diese stolzen und sensiblen Wesen nicht mehr missen.
Wir halten mittlerweile unseren zweiten Saluki und ich bin immer wieder fasziniert von dieser Rasse. Im Haus sind sie unfassbar sanfte und saubere Mitbewohner, die es lieben, sich auf dem Sofa zusammenzurollen. Fremden gegenüber ist unsere Hündin extrem reserviert und lässt sich von Fremden ungern anfassen – das muss man einfach akzeptieren und respektieren. Sie sucht sich ihre Menschen sehr genau aus.
Die größte Herausforderung ist und bleibt der Bewegungsdrang in Kombination mit dem Jagdinstinkt. Ein normaler Spaziergang an der Leine reicht ihnen nicht, um mental und physisch ausgelastet zu sein. Wir nutzen daher leidenschaftlich das Coursing, um ihren Hetztrieb in kontrollierte Bahnen zu lenken. Gesundheitlich sollte man zudem wissen, dass sie sehr empfindlich auf Narkosemittel reagieren, weshalb man immer einen windhunderfahrenen Tierarzt aufsuchen sollte.
Paraphrased from real owner reports
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Saluki.
The Saluki is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Saluki is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Saluki grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Saluki can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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