All Saluki owners quickly discover that the natural instinct of the breed to chase prey at great speed and over considerable distances is far from being lost. Salukis are designed to run, and run they must. They take any opportunity to do so. Road walking alone is insufficient exercise for Salukis. Yet once off the lead they can be in the next county in seconds. They do not respect the confines of public places or protocol, and will chase any moving objects, and often see small dogs (and cats, of course) as fair game. Like most sighthounds, they can be notoriously disobedient when off the lead, which presents problems given that they can run all day. This quality makes them unsuitable for many people.
A good-sized garden or secure, livestock-free exercise area is needed by Saluki owners who want happy hounds and peace of mind. The fence needs to be around six feet tall, as Salukis can easily clear five feet from a standing start if they have a mind to, and some are remarkable climbers. They are also enthusiastic diggers, and so fencing needs to be sunk well into the ground. In the desert, where constantly shifting sand fills the deepest holes in no time, this presents no problems, but Saluki excavations of rose beds or lawns are not so easily remedied. Keen gardeners cannot expect to enjoy Salukis unless they have some way of keeping them well away from their horticultural endeavours.
While the great outdoors – the natural habitat of the Saluki – can prove problematic for their owners, indoors Salukis are a delight. Clean, virtually odour free, able to curl up in the smallest spaces, disinclined to bark (if sometimes prone to howl), they are easily accommodated, and should be kept as house dogs rather than in kennels. Their affectionate, loyal natures and elegant good looks makes them delightful companions, and their idiosyncratic character, quite unlike any other breed, makes them an interesting talking point and wins them many dedicated enthusiasts.
Although not technically a rare breed, only around 140 Salukis are registered each year with the Kennel Club in the UK, so they are not particularly common place. Prospective owners can expect to wait some time before acquiring a puppy. Puppies should always be obtained from reputable breeders, whose names can be provided by the Kennel Club or the Secretary of the Northern Saluki Club.
@Copyright Helen Graham 2004
This You Tube video provides an interesting insight into live with saluki – www. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lWvfkq2mCw