Saluki - description of the breed and character of the dog

This breed is considered one of the most ancient. One cannot surely tell where they came from. It is precisely known that the Middle East is the birthplace of Saluki. Their unusual appearance can not pay attention to themselves. And their discreet and gentle nature makes these dogs ideal pets and friends for all family members.

From the history of the breed

The countries of the Middle East are the cradle of civilization. They gave the world farming, artwork and dogs of this breed. They are one of the most ancient breeds on the planet. It is believed that Saluki have in mind when the dog is mentioned in the biblical tales. Representatives of the Egyptian nobility commanded to rest these animals next to them in the tombs. Their images today can be found in the drawings of those same tombs.Even now, a long-legged, elegant animal sometimes adorns the carpet in the sheikh's tent.

The graceful and aesthetic salukis are endowed with real Persian power. They are very similar to their descendants of the Greyhounds, but have much larger ears. These animals, like their ancestors, ruled the sands of the merciless Sahara. The inhabitants of the desert consider them ideal pets and the true gift of heaven. This animal is honored by them as much as it can be compared in its value only with purebred horses and camels.

Iran is considered the true birthplace of the Persian greyhound. The name of the breed comes from the city of Salyuk, in the United Arab Emirates. It was formed long before our era and preserved in its original form thanks to the efforts of local breeders. Salukov used for hunting small game and guard houses. These restrained animals could catch prey and hold, waiting for the owner, who killed the victim of the hunt on their own, as the laws of Islam require.

Animals were revered and considered family members - they lived in a tent. They moved such valuable pets with the help of camels and horses.As true gifts of Allah, they were not sold for money, but presented as gifts.

With the help of nomads, they spread throughout the Middle East. In Europe, dogs were brought in the Middle Ages. In the 29th year of the 20th century, they were recognized as a separate breed in the United States. The standards of these representatives were recorded at the Kennel Club in the 23rd year, and in the 66th they were officially approved.

Breed standards

Saluki graceful, sophisticated and graceful dogs. They are proportionally folded, have a powerful and muscular body with long limbs, just perfect for running. Their appearance in itself speaks of their ancient origin, and their eyes express calm and wisdom.

1. Dimensions. Height in withers is from 46 to 66 cm in bitches and 58 - 71 on average in males. The weight of the females are from 16 to 25 kilograms, and the males from 20 to 30.
2. Torso Elongated body with strong, naturally strong muscles. With a powerful and deep chest. The stomach is retracted. In the lumbar region bend. The pelvis is wide.
3. Head. Proportional to the body. Elongated and narrow. Between the ears is narrow and flat. From the forehead to the nose there is a smooth transition. The muzzle is long, gradually tapers to the nose. The maw is strong with a scissor bite.
4. Ears. Have an average landing. On movable joints. Hanging. In a state of calm hang down in the direction of the cheekbones.
5. Eyes. Big size. Almond-shaped. Color from amber to black.
6. Nose. It has a black or dark brown tip.
7. Neck. Muscular Fairly long, with a smooth bend.
8. Paws. Long and smooth, parallel to each other - with pronounced, well developed muscles. The fingers are brought together and fit snugly together. The claws and paw pads are dark in color.
9. Tail. Low set. Long to the hock. With bent up half ring tip. When an animal is at rest, it does not rise above the line of the back.
10. Wool. There are 2 types of saluki: sleek and long-haired. Both species have a characteristic feature - the absence of undercoat. Shorthair more common. They have smooth and silky hair of small length all over the body. Long-haired individuals have longer hair in the area of ​​the ears, throat and back of the hips.
11. Colors. The Persian greyhounds have a wide variety of colors: white, black, cream, red, two-color and three-color.
    The disadvantage is tiger color. It is not characteristic of this breed.

Important! The breed standards clearly indicate that the general appearance of the saluki must be noble, and it must move energetically and beautifully.

Character traits

Smart, balanced and very sensitive dogs are excellent companions. They are fast, strong and durable. They tend to become attached to only one person, but find an approach to all members of the family in which they live.

Fact! Saluki are graceful and restrained, they know how to show tenderness, but they cannot be called obsessive. They are suitable for people who value peace in dogs.

They have excellent guard and hunting qualities. To strangers can be configured aggressively, but rarely attack. But they always warn about the presence in the territory of outsiders with the help of barking.

Saluki training and education must be done from an early puppy age. If the pet is poorly trained and socialized, it can grow disobedient and shy. This can cause destructive behavior in an animal.

Raising Saluki is not as easy as it may seem at first glance. They are distinguished by a certain autonomy and free-thinking. When representatives of this breed are distracted by something of interest, it is unlikely that the learning process will go according to plan. Nevertheless, they should be treated with restraint and think about their actions well. Raising the voice and using physical punishment is simply unacceptable. Positive results will come only after timely praise and “valuable” reward.

With children, saluki tend to get along well. They may well be allowed to play with them. In this case, the child must be explained that the animal will not tolerate rudeness to itself, it should be treated delicately.

Other animals in the house are not a contraindication to get a pet of this breed. But they do best with other dogs, preferably hounds. As for cats and rodents, the Saluki are quite capable of establishing normal relations with them.

This noble and sensitive animal does not tolerate quarrels and scandals in the house. From them they may experience some depression, and even real canine depression.Therefore, living next to this dog requires compromises from the owners.

Maintenance and care

The ancestors of the Saluki presented their descendants and strength to modern descendants. They adapt well to any conditions. And the hosts do not cause much trouble. Due to the absence of undercoat, they do not have a characteristic canine smell. They are distinguished by cleanliness, and they rarely moult.

Grooming
Bathing pets of this breed is not required often. You can do it as needed, using special shampoos. In process of pollution of short-haired representatives it is enough to wipe with the help of a damp rag. Scrubbing their hair also does not require, dropped hairs can be carefully removed with a special glove, brush or comb with rare teeth. Longhair representatives comb a little more often with the help of the same devices.

Walking
These animals require constant walking with sufficient physical activity. Best for them are suitable discovery sites, somewhere in nature.Additional impressions can be provided to the pet from participation in the parade competition.

The Persian Greyhound is a gregarious animal. They prefer to hunt collectively, in several (6-7) individuals. Groups they can pursue anything, including cars. Such a tendency can pose a threat to the dog if, at the sight of a moving object, it takes off and rushes in pursuit. The most common victims of chases are cyclists. People are very scared if a pack of dogs chases after them. With the Persian greyhounds, it is best to stroll with a leash, so that natural instincts do not cause the animal to be in danger.

Important! Saluki do not tolerate low temperatures. In the cold season, the pet should be provided with warm clothing.

Teeth care
The teeth of all dogs are prone to plaque and tartar. Saluki are no exception. To maintain healthy teeth - they need to be cleaned regularly, about once every 7 days. Dog mouthwash care products are sold in specialized stores. In no case should you use human toothpaste,She will cause a pet a complete aversion to this procedure forever. You can purchase special treats for dogs that clean their teeth.

Ear care
The large ears of the Persian greyhound require increased attention from the owners. Their shape contributes to ingress of dirt and dust. Therefore, they must be regularly inspected and cleaned. At home, this can be done with barely damp cotton sponge soaked in warm water or chamomile broth. For the same purpose, special means for instillation of the ears are sold in the veterinary pharmacy.

Eyes
The Persian Greyhound loves to run. And while running, foreign objects and dust can get into your eyes. In this case, they are wiped with a damp cotton pad. They must be periodically examined for the presence of inflammation. This may signal a pet's health problem.

Claw care
Due to the activity of Saluki, her claws grind off independently while walking and running. For this reason, they do not need pruning. Paws should be regularly inspected for the presence of splinters and mechanical damage, wounds and cracks. If they are, then you need to provide adequate assistance to the animal.

Nutrition
All dogs, especially hunting dogs, need the presence of low-fat meat in their diet.Most suitable: chicken, turkey, rabbit, lamb and veal. Meat should make up about 80 percent of all food. Be sure to include cereals, dairy products and boiled vegetables.

For feeding the Persian greyhound suitable fortified food of industrial production and natural food. If the animal eats natural products, then you should additionally include vitamin and mineral complexes in order to preserve the health of your teeth and bones.

Health and life expectancy

As a result of a long selection, the saluks received good health and excellent immunity. They boast a life expectancy of up to 15 years on average. This breed deserves the fact that it is considered one of the strongest and most enduring.

They are less prone to hip dysplasia than other long-legged breeds. This disease is not frequent for them, but rarely can occur. The cause of dysplasia, as a rule, is not a genetic predisposition, but rather an unhealthy diet during the period of active growth and lack of physical activity.

Characteristic diseases inherent to the Persian greyhound:

• Dilated cardiomyopathy;
• Hemangiosarcoma;
• Hypothyroidism.

It goes without saying that the health of dogs depends on the conditions of detention and proper care. It is necessary to carry out all planned vaccinations and regularly treat the animal from parasites. If you suspect any health problems, show the dog to the vet and do not neglect his recommendations.

Interesting Facts

1. Salukis are great runners, they can catch up to several kilometers of their prey, reaching speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour. With short distances, the Persian greyhound can accelerate to 90 km.
2. In the period of the Middle Ages, this breed was in demand among European monarchs. The Saxon duke Heinrich 4 was even imprinted in the company of the Persian greyhound on one of the frescoes.
3. The burials of the ancestors of this breed were found in tombs that were made about 6000 years BC.
4. According to historical facts, Alexander the Great himself was an admirer of the Persian greyhound. He even took them on his trips.

How much and where to buy?

To begin with, you should soberly assess your desires and clearly determine for yourself why you want to make Saluki. It is important to take into account the characteristics of dogs of this breed:

1. Viability and ability to make independent decisions.
2. The animal needs sufficient physical exertion and long walks.
3. Due to their independence, they are difficult to train.
4. Their certain coldness and alienation does not prevent them from being sufficiently attached to their masters.
5. With excellent health, some individuals of this breed may suffer from individual reactions. Special care must be taken with anesthetics.

Breed is not deficient. Their original appearance, discreet character and hunting qualities made the Persian greyhounds popular around the world. It is better to acquire a puppy in a specialized kennel with a long history and good reputation. As a rule, in nurseries not one and not two, but much more individuals are contained. When buying, you should pay attention to the conditions in which animals are kept, to study the pedigrees and communicate with the breeders.

When choosing a puppy, it is important to pay attention not only to its sex and color, it is necessary to take into account its behavior and activity in general. It is better to invite a person who is already a Saluki breeder and has experience in breeding representatives of this breed. A purebred puppy with documents will cost customers from $ 1500 and above. Prices for some individuals are about $ 10,000 and even more.

Important! When choosing this breed, it is necessary to take into account that pets have an increased activity, they require frequent walking and certain physical activities. It is necessary that the rhythm of the owner's life coincides with the needs of the animal.

This is not the best choice for very old people. But they will become wonderful friends to those who like to play sports, and especially - to run.

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