Saluki at a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height
- 58–71 cm
- Weight
- 16–29.5 kg
- Life expectancy
- from 12 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog. Not assessed yet: Barking.
Is the Saluki right for you?
Like every breed, the Saluki is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You enjoy long walks and an active, outdoor life.
- You would prefer a dog that tends to shed little.
- You would like a coat that is fairly easy to look after.
Consider another breed if…
- The dog would regularly be left alone for long working days.
- You cannot offer well over an hour of exercise every day.
- You live in a flat or a small home.
- You have young children at home.
How would the Saluki fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Saluki
The Saluki is a graceful, athletic sighthound with a soft, smooth coat. Most have feathering, or longer hair, on the ears, legs and sometimes the throat, while the smooth variety lacks it. Salukis are admired for their elegance, gentle temperament and light, lifting movement, and they are typically independent, intelligent and loyal.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Large
A large dog.
- Exercise
Very high
Usually needs several hours of activity or work a day.
- Energy level
Very lively
Very lively and usually keen to be busy.
- Grooming
Weekly
The coat usually needs brushing about once a week.
- Shedding
Low
Tends to shed little, though every dog sheds some hair.
- Trainability
Independent
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps.
- Good with children
Older children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
- Good with other dogs
Varies
Varies with the individual dog.
- Good with cats
Strong chase instinct
Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals.
- Suits first-time owners
Experienced owners
Best with an experienced owner.
- Barking / vocality
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Time alone
Prefers company
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
The breed is one of the oldest in the world, and its precise origins are unknown. It was greatly prized by the Bedouin alongside their Arabian horses, and sheikhs kept careful breeding records of their hounds' hunting skills. Salukis hunted hare, fox and gazelle, often with riders on horseback and with falcons working alongside them.
Because they hunted across different terrain, the breed varies in type: desert and mountain Salukis differ in size and substance. The name is thought to come from the ancient Arabian city of Saluk or the Syrian town of Seleucia. In ancient Egypt the Saluki was known as the Royal Dog.
Saluki temperament
Salukis are usually gentle, quite sensitive dogs. They bond closely with their family and are quietly affectionate, without being demonstrative. With strangers they tend to be reserved, aloof and uninterested.
They do not enjoy being handled roughly, fussed over when they have not asked for it, or living in a loud, chaotic house. Between exercise sessions they are generally laid-back and relaxed indoors. They dislike being left alone.
Size and appearance
Salukis are large, slender dogs. Adults typically stand 58–71 cm at the shoulder, with females slightly smaller, and weigh around 16–29.5 kg.
The coat is short and smooth, with or without feathering. Many colours are accepted, including cream, fawn, gold, red, grizzle, white, black and tan, and particolours.
How much exercise does a Saluki need?
Salukis need more than two hours of exercise a day, including free running. They are specialist sprinters with a strong chase instinct, so they need to run somewhere safe and enclosed, where they cannot come to harm if they set off after a squirrel or rabbit.
Once the chase instinct kicks in, it can be very hard to get their attention back.
Training a Saluki
Salukis tend to have a cat-like attitude to training and often seem to think it is beneath them. Even basic training, and especially recall, is not always easy.
- Use reward-based training and plenty of patience.
- Socialise early, ideally in a puppy class with other calm, quiet dogs.
- Work hard on recall, but never rely on it near distractions: the thrill of the chase can override even good training.
- If your Saluki will live with cats, look for a breeder who raises puppies with cats, or make introductions very slowly.
Saluki grooming
Weekly brushing is usually enough for the coat, but feathering on the ears and legs needs attention more often, as it tangles and mats easily. Salukis shed fairly little.
Living with a Saluki
Salukis bond well with their family but do not enjoy noise or disruption. They usually suit quiet households with older, respectful children, or adult-only homes. Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
Other dogs
Varies with the individual dog.
Cats and small pets
Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals.
Flats and smaller homes
Usually needs a roomy home.
Garden
A garden is helpful.
Being left alone
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
First-time owners
Best with an experienced owner.
Saluki health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
Some health problems are recognised in the Saluki, and the Royal Kennel Club asks breeders to prioritise genetic diversity. Knowing about these conditions helps you ask a breeder the right questions; it does not mean every Saluki will be affected.
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL)
A storage disease that can damage nerve cells. A DNA test is available, and since January 2025 imported Salukis must be shown to be clear or carriers before they can be registered, to protect the UK population.
Heart problems
Salukis can be prone to heart disease, including dilated cardiomyopathy, in which the heart muscle becomes progressively weaker and cannot pump properly.
Haemangiosarcoma
A malignant tumour of the cells lining the blood vessels.
Hip dysplasia
The hip joint develops loosely, which eventually leads to arthritis.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland produces less hormone than it should.
Gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat)
Listed among the conditions the breed can be prone to.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Saluki home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Saluki cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Saluki home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 12 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Saluki
If you have decided the Saluki suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Saluki
Salukis do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Salukis looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
There are no Saluki adverts at the moment.
Find Saluki adverts for sale and for adoption on Mypetzilla now.
Similar breeds you may want to consider
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Loyal, gentle, clever, protective, athletic, courageous and stubborn.
View breed guide
Saluki FAQs
Is the Saluki good with children?
Usually better with older, calmer children. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the Saluki live in a flat?
Usually needs a roomy home. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the Saluki need?
Very high: usually needs several hours of activity or work each day. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
Does the Saluki shed?
Tends to shed little.
How much grooming does the Saluki need?
Typically: about once a week.
Is the Saluki easy to train?
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Can the Saluki be left alone?
Usually copes only with short periods alone. Build up time alone gradually.
Is the Saluki good with cats?
Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Saluki live?
Typically from 12 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Saluki get?
Adults typically stand 58–71 cm at the shoulder and weigh 16–29.5 kg.