Looking for a dog
book? We have hundreds of dog books listed, Titles
include works on individual breeds, activities,
health and nutrition. You can find the best in dog
training, behavior, natural health, agility,
clicker training, problems, and other dog related
topics.
The Saluki is a breed of dog that is a member of the sighthound family, that is, hounds that hunt by sight rather than scent. The Saluki is one of the oldest dog breeds known, and originally came from the Middle East, where it was used (and is still used to some extent) by the Bedouins for hunting hare and gazelle.
Temperament: Modern Salukis retain the qualities of
hunting hounds. They may appear reserved and uninterested.
They learn quickly but can get bored with repetition, so
training sessions should be short and varied. Salukis need
regular exercise, but behave quietly indoors.
They do not bark much but "sing" when they feel
that something is wrong or when a member of the family is away
for a long period of time. They get along well with children,
but must be respected when they want to be left alone and
rest. Salukis have a fairly long life span, living an average
of 12-13 years.
Sensitive and intelligent, the Saluki should never be
trained using force or hard-handed methods. They are usually
quiet and don't bark unless there is a reason.
History: The Saluki, commonly known as the Royal dog
of Egypt, is perhaps the oldest known breed of domesticated
dog. The Saluki appears on the Egyptian tombs of 2100 B.C. and
was so esteemed that his body was often mummified like the
bodies of the Pharaohs themselves. Many early stone
inscriptions depict the young King Tutankhamen hunting with
his pair of royal Salukis. The remains of numerous specimens
have been found in the ancient tombs of the Upper Nile region.
The Saluki has historically served as a courser, a speedy
hunting dog that operated in packs. Bedouin valued their
Salukis highly and wanted them to be beautiful and to possess
hunting qualities. Salukis slept with their owners in their
tents to be protected from the heat of the day and the cold of
the night. As the desert tribes were nomadic, the habitat of
the Saluki comprised the entire region from the Caspian Sea to
the Sahara. Naturally the types varied somewhat in this widely
scattered area-mostly in size and coat.
Salukis were first brought into England in 1840 and were
known as Persian Greyhounds. There was no real interest
however, until the Hon. Florence Amherst imported the first
Arabian Saluki in 1895 from the kennels of Prince Abdulla in
Transjordania. In Persian-speaking countries the Saluki is
called the tazi, or "one who gallops."
As is the case with some other pedigree breeds in the
United States, including the Basenji and Portuguese Podengo,
the current population of Salukis is descended from a small
number of founders introduced into the country within the last
100 years, and must be carefully mated to avoid inbreeding.
However, the original dogs imported into the US came from
throughout the whole Middle East, a vast geographical area,
unlike most other breeds that come from very small areas, so
salukis have the largest genetic base among purebreds.
Recently, the AKC (American Kennel Club) has allowed the third
generation of COO (Country of Origin) salukis to be registered
after inspections by recognized judges so the DNA base will
increase even more as more dogs are imported.
Miscellaneous:
The Saluki is used as the mascot for the Southern
Illinois University sports teams.
Unlike other dogs, salukis are not viewed as being
"unclean" by the Bedouin.
While Saluki coats come in a variety of colors, the
grizzled pattern is the most common and affords the most
opportunity for a dog to bear the "kiss of
Allah" or a white diamond pattern on its forehead.
In Arabic countries most dogs are referred to as kelp
(meaning dog) but salukis are referred to as salukis; this
is because of their royal background and their 'clean'
living habits, and is also due to their value (capital and
sentimental).
HeyDogs is an easy to use site that keeps both dog professionals and dog enthusiasts up to date on the latest information on dogs. You can find the best in dog training, behavior, natural health, agility, clicker training, and other dog related topics
Looking for the perfect
Dog name? Dogs names for your new Puppy.
Browse thousands of Dog names, names for both male
and female dogs, Start looking by clicking on a
letter!
Hi Cats is a website you can find extensive information on all Cat Breeds, Articles, Health, Books, Photos, Desktop Wallpapers, Posters, Training, Cats names, Links and more.
HeyDogs.com Dog Breeds Information
Guide menu 
