Saluki

What is a Saluki?

The Saluki is an ancient breed of hound often considered one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, with ancestors dating back to 7000–6000 BCE. Historically known as the “royal dog of Egypt,” the breed was favored by pharaohs for hunting gazelles and was also kept by Bedouin nomads to hunt hare.¹²

Physically, the Saluki is a slender, graceful sighthound with long legs, a narrow body, and a silky coat that appears in either smooth or feathered varieties. They are known for being quiet, loyal, and gentle, though they possess a strong instinct to chase prey, making leashes essential. Despite their history as swift sprinters, they are generally sedate indoors and enjoy a moderate energy level.¹

The name “Saluki” is derived from the Arabic salūqī, referring to the ancient Arabian city of Saluq. While historically revered as “el hor” (the noble one) in Middle Eastern cultures, they remain a distinct and elegant breed today.²¹

Where did the Saluki breed come from?

The Saluki originated in the Fertile Crescent, a region spanning from northern Egypt across northern Arabia and into the Middle East. Ancestors of the breed may date back to 7000–6000 BCE, and the dogs were frequently depicted in the art, pottery, and tombs of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.²¹

The name “Saluki” is derived from the Arabic salūqī, which refers to the ancient Arabian city of Saluq. While they were known as the “royal dog of Egypt” and favored by pharaohs for hunting gazelles, they were also widely kept by Bedouin nomads to hunt hare for sustenance. Unlike many other dogs in the region, the Saluki was held in high regard in Islamic culture, often referred to as “el hor” (the noble one) and welcomed into homes and tents.²¹

What does a Saluki look like?

The Saluki is a graceful, slender, and sleek sighthound that shares a similar build to the Greyhound. They are characterized by their long legs, narrow bodies, and long, drop ears.¹³

Key physical features include:

• Size: They stand between 23 and 28 inches (58–71 cm) at the withers and typically weigh between 38 and 65 pounds (18–29 kg).¹
• Coat: The breed comes in two varieties:
  • Feathered: Features longer, silky hair on the ears, tail, and sometimes the back of the legs (britches) or between the toes.¹
  • Smooth: Features very short hair all over the body.¹
• Coloration: Their coats appear in a wide range of shades, including white, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle, sable, and black and tan. These colors may also appear with varying amounts of white markings.¹

Overall, the Saluki presents an elegant and hardy appearance, reflecting its ancient history as a swift hunter.¹⁴

What was the Saluki originally bred to do?

The Saluki was originally developed as a sighthound, a type of hunting dog bred to pursue game over long distances by relying on its keen vision rather than scent.¹⁴

Their historical roles included:

• Hunting for Royalty: Known as the “royal dog of Egypt,” they were favored by pharaohs specifically to hunt [gazelles].¹
• Subsistence Hunting: More commonly, Bedouin nomads utilized the breed to hunt hare and other prey to provide food for their communities.¹

Unlike many other hound breeds that work in packs, the Saluki was developed to hunt independently. Today, they retain their swift sprinting ability and are still used in some regions for coursing events.⁴¹