Saluki

Saluki

Salukis, sometimes known as Persian Greyhounds or Gazellehounds, are elegant, streamlined aristocrats of the dog world. They belong to the sighthound family and originated in Persia now known as Iran to sight, course and catch hare, fox, and gazelle in the harsh terrain and climate of the desert.Today, Salukis are graceful pets who compete in the show ring and in lure or open field coursing. Some Salukis participate in obedience or agility trails,and some also make good therapy dogs due to their gentle nature. Salukis are generally calm and dignified and rarely bark unlessthere is good cause. They make excellent watchdogs though they are quiet in the house.This graceful dignified dog has always been a much prized possession of the Arabs.

His highly developed hunting instinct, and the speed wirh which he moves over all types of terrain, suit him well for work in the Middle East where sheiks have carefully kept records of this breeding and hunting abilities for hundreds of years.This dog is not really the ideal pet for the average family he can be naughty in the house if left alone, and he very easily becomes bored. He is highly strung, very sensitive, very intelligent, and extremely affectionate to those he loves.

General Appearance* Gives impression of grace, symmetry and of great speed and endurance, coupld with strength and activity.Expression dignified and gently with faithful, far seeing eyes.

Characteristics* Og great quality with uniqueshaped foot necessary for hunting natural terrain.

Temperament* Reserved with strangers but not nervous or aggressive. Dignified, intelligent and independent.

Head and Skull* Head long and narrow, skull moderately wide between ears, not domed, stop not pronounced, whole showing great quality. Nose black or liver.

Eyes* Dark to hazel, bright, large and oval, not prominent.

Ears* Long and mobile, not to low set covered with long silky hair, hanging close to skull. Bottom tip of leather reaches to corner of mouth when brought forward. Provided ear is covered with silky hair which may grow only from top half, the standard is complied with but longer hair also correct.

Mouth* Teeth and jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i. e, upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck* Long, supple and well muscled.

ForeQuarters* Shoulders sloping and set well back, well muscled without being coarse. Chest deep and moderatrely narrow, when viewed from front not an inverted V. Forelegs straight and long from elbow to wrist. Paternsstrong and slightly sloping. Not round boned. Humerus sloping slightly backwards.

Body* Back fairly broad, musscles slightly arched over lion, but never roach backed. Brisket long and deep, not barrel ribbed or slab sided, with good cut up. Sufficient length of lion important.

HindQurters* Strong hip bones set wide apart. Stifle moderately bent with well developed first and second thigh. Hocks low to ground.

Feet* Strong and supple of moderate length, toes slightly webbed, long and well arched, two inner toes considerably longer than two oter toes on all four feet. Not splayed outy or catfooted and feathered between toes. Front feet point forward at ver7 slight angle when standing.

Tail* Set on low from long and gently sloping pelvis. Carried naturally in curve. Well feathered on underside but not bushy. In adults not carried above line of back except in play. Tip reaching to hock.

Gait Movement* Light, lifting, effortless showing both reach and drive, body lifting off ground with long, flat strides, not flinging itself forward. No hackney action or plodding.

Coat* smooth, of silky texture, feathering on legs and back of thighs and between hock and heel. Puppies may have slight woolly featthering on thigh and shoulder. Feathering on troat permissible but not desirable. Smooth variety as above but without feathering.

Colour* White, cream, fawn, golden red, grizzle, silver grizzle, deer grizzle, tricolour white, black and tan, black and tan and variations of these colours, i.e. black fringed fawn, black fringed red not brindle.

Size Dogs* 58. 4 - 71.1 cms * 23 - 28 ins * at shoulders, bitches, proportionately smaller.

Faults* Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note* Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.