Also known as the Persian Greyhound or the Gazelle Hound, this breed is revered by Muslims, who refer to it as El Hor, The Noble One. It has been used since ancient times to bunt hare, fox and gazelle.
The Saluki is one of the oldest pure breeds in the world, dating back thousands of years. It is claimed that it even pre-dates ancient Egypt, carvings of it from 7000 BC having been discovered during excavations in Sumer. In Egypt itself it was known as the Royal Dog and was depicted in carvings and on many painted walls, dating from as early as the third millennium BC. When one of these treasured hunting companions died, its Egyptian owners went into deep mourning and frequently had their beloved dogs mummified, wearing their ornate collars. In the tomb of Tutankhamun, the king is shown with his favourite hounds, which appear to be Salukis.
Like all sighthounds, this breed has the typical elongated greyhound shape, but its silhouette is distinctive because it is adorned with ‘feathered’ ears, legs and tail.
In temperament the Saluki is a loyal and courageous servant, affectionate without being demonstrative, vigilant but not aggressive. It has an independent spirit and is aloof with strangers. It enjoys the comforts of home when it is resting, but when working is prepared to hunt at high speed over rough and difficult terrain. It is an unusually intelligent breed and demands to be treated as such. If it is ill-treated it will retaliate.
Its intelligence and independence are essential because of the way it is used on the hunt. A small pack of the dogs (two to six individuals) is sent off against game and has to act with cunning and skill to effect a capture. The dogs are required to pursue the prey, racing at incredible speeds, take it by the throat and hold it down until their master arrives to perform the required ritual kill.
A frequent hunting method involves the combination of dogs and birds of prey. The dogs are carried on camels or horses by Arab hunters on whose wrists are perched hooded falcons. The falcons are released to fly high in the sky to search for prey. Once they have succeeded, they circle in the sky and this is the due to the Salukis that a herd of gazelle has been located. The dogs are then released, whereupon they race towards the spot, often covering several miles (6-7 km) in the process. The human hunters follow on horseback or camel and eventually catch up with their swift hounds, who, by the time they have arrived, have caught and held their quarry.
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