Saluki
薩路基犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Saluki is one of the oldest of all breeds, the slim, leggy desert sighthound that hunted gazelle with the Bedouin and their falcons. Called "El Hor", the Noble One, it is serene, dignified, gentle and independent — clean, quiet and low-odour indoors, but a swift and determined hunter outside that must be walked on lead and only run free in a securely fenced space. Sensitive by nature, it responds to patience and reward-based training, not harsh handling.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 58–71cm |
| Weight | 18–29kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–17years |
| Breed group | AKC: hound FCI: 10 |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Short coat |
| Shedding | 2/ 5 |
| Exercise | 60–150min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 4/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 1/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Heart conditions
Certain heart conditions are reported in the breed; breeders may have breeding stock examined by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested dogs of this breed are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Cancer
Certain cancers are reported at higher rates in the breed. Ask your vet about regular check-ups and about any new lumps.
Immune-mediated conditions
Immune-mediated conditions are reported in the breed. Ask your vet if your dog has unexplained illness.
Behaviour
The Noble One — serene and independent
The CKC says the Saluki is serene, dignified and independent, a demeanour captured by its Arabic name El Hor, "The Noble One"; it is capable of great speed and endurance with deceptive strength, loves to run and, like all large sighthounds, needs regular, safe, supervised exercise and access to running space.
Always on lead; fence and toys against boredom
The AKC advises daily walks always on a leash and a well-fenced yard to keep this runner away from traffic, and warns that a bored or unhappy Saluki can be an escape artist or destructive chewer, so good fencing and safe chew toys are a must. Crate training, basic obedience and sports such as lure coursing give it the structure and mental work it needs.
Temperament
The AKC summarises the breed's temperament as "dignified / gentle / independent-minded".
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Saluki
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Saluki (Hounds)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Saluki
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 12 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Saluki (standard no. 269, group 10)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's "Living with a Saluki" page describes a gentle, dignified, sensitive and reserved hound that responds best to kindness, patience and positive training; it is clean and sheds little, but it is a hunter that will run after — and sometimes catch — anything fuzzy that moves, is too fast and clever to catch if it slips out the door, and is not to be trusted off lead outside a securely fenced area. Early, ongoing socialisation is stressed because Salukis can be aloof with strangers, and owners are warned they tend to claim beds, sofas and chairs.”
— Saluki Club of America — Living with a Saluki via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Saluki — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Saluki — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Saluki — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Saluki — FCI standard no. 269 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Living with a Saluki — Saluki Club of America — Saluki Club of America (public breed pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.