Rejoining a Saluki?
Discussion
Hi everyone. A local rescue organisation has got in touch with me about a Saluki who's looking for a home. He's 8months old, and gets on well with other dogs and is quite submissive etc.
They got in touch with me as the new I used to have Afghan hounds, and from what I've read about them their similar in behaviour, and temperament.
Just looking for anyone with first hand experience of them and any advice.
We have a English bulldog who's a typical lazy bulldog so it'll be nice to have someone who enjoys going for walks!
Thanks.
They got in touch with me as the new I used to have Afghan hounds, and from what I've read about them their similar in behaviour, and temperament.
Just looking for anyone with first hand experience of them and any advice.
We have a English bulldog who's a typical lazy bulldog so it'll be nice to have someone who enjoys going for walks!
Thanks.
Hi
I haven't owned (or rather been owned by
) a pure saluki, but I had a saluki/greyhound cross called Benson for several years. He was 6 when I adopted him, so I don't know what they're like as youngsters. I'd heard that salukis can be aloof, especially with strangers, but Benson adored everyone and wanted to be everyone's friend 
He was very vocal, which I understand salukis can be - not in terms of barking but he made lots of little whiny, squeaky, grumbly noises. They were annoying at times but when I lost him the house was so (too) quiet 
He was definitely a dog who thought he should have servants
I remember once he was grumbling and whining and I couldn't work out what was wrong. Once I'd established that his cushion was uncomfortable and had adjusted it for him, he was happy
I have very fond memories of Benson, he was a lovely dog. I would add a photo but Photobucket is down at the moment, so I can't.
If you've owned Afghan Hounds before, you'll know about the issues with sighthounds in terms of prey drive, etc. I don't know whether the saluki you're considering is long or short haired, but if the latter, they have quite thin coats and tend to be even more delicately framed than other sighthounds, so will need coats and fleeces to keep them warm in the rain and colder weather. They tend to have more stamina than other sighthounds, so can need more exercise.
Can't think of anything else at the moment. Hope that helps.
I haven't owned (or rather been owned by
) a pure saluki, but I had a saluki/greyhound cross called Benson for several years. He was 6 when I adopted him, so I don't know what they're like as youngsters. I'd heard that salukis can be aloof, especially with strangers, but Benson adored everyone and wanted to be everyone's friend He was very vocal, which I understand salukis can be - not in terms of barking but he made lots of little whiny, squeaky, grumbly noises. They were annoying at times but when I lost him the house was so (too) quiet He was definitely a dog who thought he should have servants
I remember once he was grumbling and whining and I couldn't work out what was wrong. Once I'd established that his cushion was uncomfortable and had adjusted it for him, he was happy I have very fond memories of Benson, he was a lovely dog. I would add a photo but Photobucket is down at the moment, so I can't.
If you've owned Afghan Hounds before, you'll know about the issues with sighthounds in terms of prey drive, etc. I don't know whether the saluki you're considering is long or short haired, but if the latter, they have quite thin coats and tend to be even more delicately framed than other sighthounds, so will need coats and fleeces to keep them warm in the rain and colder weather. They tend to have more stamina than other sighthounds, so can need more exercise.
Can't think of anything else at the moment. Hope that helps.
We have a Saluki / Grey cross and I also had a Saluki / Grey / Deer Hound cross many years ago. Both wonderful dogs but really quite different in temperament.
My old boy, Brynn, was the most friendly, happy, chilled out and fun loving dog I have ever owned. Our current dog, Bongo, has much more Saluki in him and is a also a total joy but he is much more sensitive and Saliki dominant.
One thing is for sure - they adore their owners and are utterly devoted to you (even if they ignore what you tell them to do most of the time!)
I echo a previous comment about Salikis thinking that the whole world revolves around them! I can also confirm the comment about Slukis being vocal. Most dogs just bark, whine or growl. Our boy has a fully vocabulary and will happily sit and explain to you in detail just how much he wants you to move up on the sofa so he can get on.
Salukis can be quite shy until they know you but as they gets older they relax a lot more with strangers - at least in my experience.
Prey drive is very high and we keep our boy on the lead on walks except when one of the big fields next to us is empty of livestock.
Coats needed in the cold too.
They are not the easiest dogs to train and quite a lot come up for re-homing because the owners are not willing to put in the time and effort. However if you put in the effort you will end up with a wonderful friend and companion.
They are very beautiful dogs too.
Oh and don't get freaked out by the way they lie in their baskets. It's common and known as the Lurcher Roach I think!
Some pics of our boy from pup to now (2.5 yrs old) :-
My old boy, Brynn, was the most friendly, happy, chilled out and fun loving dog I have ever owned. Our current dog, Bongo, has much more Saluki in him and is a also a total joy but he is much more sensitive and Saliki dominant.
One thing is for sure - they adore their owners and are utterly devoted to you (even if they ignore what you tell them to do most of the time!)
I echo a previous comment about Salikis thinking that the whole world revolves around them! I can also confirm the comment about Slukis being vocal. Most dogs just bark, whine or growl. Our boy has a fully vocabulary and will happily sit and explain to you in detail just how much he wants you to move up on the sofa so he can get on.
Salukis can be quite shy until they know you but as they gets older they relax a lot more with strangers - at least in my experience.
Prey drive is very high and we keep our boy on the lead on walks except when one of the big fields next to us is empty of livestock.
Coats needed in the cold too.
They are not the easiest dogs to train and quite a lot come up for re-homing because the owners are not willing to put in the time and effort. However if you put in the effort you will end up with a wonderful friend and companion.
They are very beautiful dogs too.
Oh and don't get freaked out by the way they lie in their baskets. It's common and known as the Lurcher Roach I think!
Some pics of our boy from pup to now (2.5 yrs old) :-
TorqueDirty said:
Benson is a serious dude!
Classic big feet of a Saluki too. I gather it was to help them run on sand as they were originally desert hunting dogs.
They still are used today as hunting dogs in the Middle East.Classic big feet of a Saluki too. I gather it was to help them run on sand as they were originally desert hunting dogs.
I have 2 - a near 12 year b
h and a 2 year male that are both rescues.The female is very dominant, vocal, prey driven but highly intelligent so that she can always be off lead and will never be aggressive to small fluffy dogs,but will insist on a bum sniff once she "captures" them! She will seek out squirrels with a passion and stare at the trees for one coming to ground level for ages, though with good reason as she has caught and killed a number in her younger years when she was lightening fast and could change direction at full speed. However, she has never bitten another dog, even when showing dominance she will occasionally curl a lip and bark but back-off at the same time. To put her historic speed into context, she can still now keep up with the male at full chat, and she is almost 10 years older than him - I could have raced her, but decided that she was meant as a pet an should remain so. They are not known to be intelligent, but mine has passed Kennel Club Good Citizen test with ease.
The male is very friendly to all dogs, not an aggressive bone in his body - all he wants is to play, run and chase squirrels. Unlike the b
h, he is daft as a brush and will stand at the base of the tree waiting for the squirrel to come down! I can still walk him off lead that said, and he is good at his basic commands and recall.They are both fantastic at home, very affectionate (even demanding sometimes) and great with my 6 year old twins. I trust them 100% never to show aggression to a person, so much so they are totally useless as a guarding/protection dog - more likely to want a stroke and a treat than bark at a burglar! They are both very food orientated, which has made the training easy.
Nice photos above, splitting image of mine!!
David
Edited by sumo69 on Sunday 6th November 23:47
Collected him this afternoon. Very timid bless him but settling down, was only saved from the pie keys a week and a half so still has sores and that etc. But he's getting on ok with Eddie both went for a walk together this afternoon and now are asleep in the living room, Eddie (the bulldog), on the sofa, and Ziggy the Saluki on the recliner chair!
Trying to upload a picture so just bare with me as the internet at home may as well be a postal service!
Trying to upload a picture so just bare with me as the internet at home may as well be a postal service!
Fantastic. Well done you!
What a lovely chap he is too. Despite him being a bit nervous just now I'd say the fact that he is already confident enough to get in the chair is a great sign.
Give him a few weeks of love and attention and he will really start to settle down. Great news too that the two dogs seems to be getting along OK right from the start.
TD
What a lovely chap he is too. Despite him being a bit nervous just now I'd say the fact that he is already confident enough to get in the chair is a great sign.
Give him a few weeks of love and attention and he will really start to settle down. Great news too that the two dogs seems to be getting along OK right from the start.
TD
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