About Us
About The Center
With the support of Emirates Falconers’ Club, the Arabian Saluki Center was established in 2001, in Abu Dhabi, to be the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region and the Middle East, with the aim of reviving the desert tradition, whereas one of its important pillars is hunting with Saluki dogs. The center provides care and several specialized services for its visitors and their dogs.
Based on its keenness to preserve the customs and traditions associated with heritage hunting in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Arabian Saluki Center specializes in providing the best breeds of pure Arab hunting dogs for those who wish to acquire them, giving attention and care to them, in terms of raising, training, health care, breeding and cultivation of identification chips, as well as birth registration, issuance of passports and parentage certificates, preparing travel and transportation arrangements in accordance with the approved laws.
Brief History
Saluki is a substantial part of the Arab hunting heritage. Arabs have known it since ancient times. They raised it and sustained its habitat. Its lineage has been known for more than seven thousand years. Saluki hunting hounds are characterized by exceptional endurance capabilities, intelligence and rare loyalty which are highly appreciated and valued by the Bedouins.
Arab believe that the origin of its Arabic name goes back to “Salouq” town which is located in southern Yemen, which has been known for making armours and hunting, and for breeding hunting hounds with extensive experience in hunting preys, and these dogs were attributed to this city because of their status and importance to them.
The Saluki has accompanied traders during their multiple trips throughout the Middle East, thus it was recognized by the nomadic tribes and nomads, they were associated with it, sustained and trained it over the years, and they were keen to present it as gifts to the kings and nobles in many other countries.
The Islamic religion allowed hunting with hounds and references to this were mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah
Recently, many old photos taken of Arab caravans, are shown roaming the desert with their Saluki hound who accompanied them as their shadow, protecting and assisting them to find food.
Establishment
Despite the number of owners and hobbyists who practice hunting with the Saluki hounds in many parts of the world, Saluki hounds today lost the position they occupied in the past. The urban expansion had a major role in changing the nature of the Arabian deserts and concealing the original Bedouin lifestyles in them, which gradually affected the spread of hunting with the Saluki hound, and even started to threat the existence of this rare species of hunting hounds
Hence, practical measures had to be taken to preserve the customs and traditions associated with heritage hunting. The Government of Abu Dhabi has adopted several initiatives aimed at preserving this authentic sport by establishing the Arabian Saluki Center in Abu Dhabi, in 2001, with the support of the Emirates Falconers’ Club. In order to enthrone Abu Dhabi’s efforts, the Center was invited to participate and organize many relevant local and international events.
Objectives
The Center aims to revive the sport of hunting with Saluki hounds, preserve its traditions and authentic breeds with a documented reference for them. It provides necessary information about this ancient sport, the unique characteristics of saluki hounds and how to care for them.
