Saluki
About the Saluki
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 23-28" |
| Weight | 40-65 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| 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 | $2,000-$3,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,300/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, 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
- First-Time Owners
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Saluki
The story behind the Saluki
The Saluki is among the oldest of sighthound types, with dogs of strikingly similar form depicted in Middle Eastern art dating back thousands of years. Across the deserts from North Africa through Arabia to Persia and beyond, nomadic peoples prized these hounds for coursing gazelle and hare, often hunting in partnership with falcons; they were honored companions in cultures where most dogs were not, sometimes carried on camels to spare their feet. Regional variation produced both feathered and smooth coats. British officers and travelers brought Salukis to England in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, where the breed was standardized; the American Kennel Club recognized it in 1929. It remains both a courser and a companion.
Originally bred for: Gazelle coursing, Desert hunting, Companion. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Saluki
Ancient desert coursers keep almost no fat reserve, so digestibility and quality outrank quantity. Two moderate meals spaced away from running suit them, and the visible hips and ribs of a fit Saluki are correct rather than alarming.
Watch for: Salukis are often described as light, choosy eaters with easily disturbed digestion, and sudden changes tend to produce soft stools. No specific allergy is proven for the breed. Introduce new foods gradually under veterinary advice.
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 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.