Arabian Saluki
About the Arabian Saluki
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 22-28" |
| Weight | 35-55 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,100/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Arabian Salukis may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Arabian Saluki
The story behind the Arabian Saluki
Coursing hounds of Saluki type rank among the oldest documented dog forms, depicted in the art of the ancient Near East and kept across the Arabian Peninsula, Mesopotamia and Persia for millennia. Bedouin owners bred for speed, endurance and heat tolerance, hunting gazelle, hare and fox on open desert, often in partnership with falcons and mounted hunters, and pedigrees were preserved orally with considerable care. Western kennels imported Salukis during the late 1800s and early 1900s and built the show breed from that stock. Interest in preserving original desert-bred lines has grown in recent decades, and organisations in the Gulf maintain registries and racing programmes for Arabian-bred hounds. These dogs remain uncommon outside their homeland, valued chiefly for hunting, racing and cultural heritage.
Originally bred for: Hunting, Coursing, Racing. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Arabian Saluki
Extreme leanness is normal for the type, and desert-bred hounds carry almost no reserve, so a quality energy-dense diet with reliable fat helps hold condition without bulk. Split feeding suits the deep narrow chest, and choosy appetites respond better to routine than to constant variety.
Watch for: Fine-boned coursing hounds are often reported as delicate feeders whose digestion protests at sudden dietary change, and very rich meals upset some individuals. There is no established ingredient pattern for the type. A veterinarian should oversee transitions and assess any persistent digestive problem.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Arabian Saluki
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.