Saluki

Few dogs carry as much history as the Saluki. Dogs that look remarkably like it appear on ancient Egyptian and Sumerian art, and for centuries nomadic tribes across the Middle East bred them to run down gazelle, hare and fox in open desert. That job shaped everything about the modern Saluki: a long, lean body, deep chest, huge stamina and eyes that lock on to movement far away.

At home, many owners are surprised by how calm a Saluki is. Adults are often content to spend much of the day stretched across a sofa, preferably a soft one, because their lean frames feel hard floors keenly. They are affectionate with their own people, but in a quiet, dignified way rather than a bouncy one. With strangers they are usually reserved and aloof rather than unfriendly. They rarely bark, which makes them good neighbours.

The honest challenge is the chase. A Saluki can reach well over 60 kilometres an hour, and its instinct to pursue a fleeing animal is not something training removes. Recall is notoriously unreliable once the eyes have locked on. Most experienced owners only let Salukis off the lead in securely fenced fields, and many hire private secure dog fields for regular gallops. A garden needs tall, solid fencing, because a determined Saluki can clear a low fence with ease. Small pets such as cats, rabbits and guinea pigs are at real risk unless the dog has been raised with them, and even then caution is wise.

Exercise is about quality as much as quantity. A Saluki needs daily lead walks of around an hour plus regular chances to sprint flat out in a safe space. Without that release, some become restless and frustrated. Lure coursing, a sport where dogs chase a mechanical lure, is a wonderful outlet and is offered by many sighthound clubs.

Training needs patience and kindness. Salukis are intelligent but independent, and they were bred to make their own decisions far from their handler. They switch off quickly with harsh methods or boring repetition. Short, upbeat sessions with high-value food work best. They are sensitive dogs, and a calm household suits them better than a chaotic one.

The coat is easy. Most Salukis have a smooth, silky coat with feathering on the ears, tail and legs, while the smooth variety lacks the feathering. A weekly brush and a gentle comb through the feathering, especially behind the ears, keeps it tidy. They shed lightly and have little doggy odour. Their thin skin tears easily, so check for nicks after runs through scrub.

Health is generally good, but there are breed-specific issues to know. Heart disease, particularly dilated cardiomyopathy, is the main concern, so look for breeders who have parents' hearts checked by echocardiogram. Cancers such as haemangiosarcoma occur, and hypothyroidism is recorded. Like other sighthounds, Salukis have little body fat and can be sensitive to some anaesthetics, so make sure your vet knows the breed. Their normal blood values can also differ from other breeds.

Salukis feel the cold. A warm coat for winter walks and soft bedding indoors are not luxuries but basics.

Who suits a Saluki? Calm, patient people who enjoy quiet companionship, can provide secure running space and are happy to keep a lead on in open countryside. Who should think again? Homes with small pets, anyone wanting reliable off-lead walks, and families wanting a boisterous playmate for young children. For the right person, a Saluki is a graceful, devoted and deeply rewarding dog.