Saluki Dogs
Types
- The feathery (Hadba) with long hair distributed all over his body from the tips of his fingers to his ears and to the end of his tail. It is known as the feathery for the abundance of hair on his body.
- The Smooth (Hess) with thin hair, where the hair is evenly distributed over his body and a bald (hairless) aspect, which is what inspired the Arabs to call it Hoss, a sign of the smoothness of his skin like a pebble.
Overall, there are many breeds of Saluki dogs, whereas more than 200 breeds are distributed within the categories of small hounds, working hounds, companion hounds, and hunting dogs for tracking.
These strains are spread in various parts of the world under various and different names. Within the breeds of hunting dogs, saluki dogs come of many types and colours, and their names are pronounced in different ways according to the region and people, in order to distinguish them from others
Breeds
Its native habitats are the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Iraq. It has many strains, the most important of which are in the region, and in the Arabian Saluki Center in Abu Dhabi, which are:
- The Smooth (Hess): Shadeed/Thibyan/Tarrah/Qannas
- The Feathery (Aryash): Lehaq/Dhibyan/Khattaf
The Arabian Saluki Center in Abu Dhabi owns more than 50 of the best Arabian Saluki dogs.
Its native habitats are North Africa (Morocco, Libya, Algeria and Mauritania), and is limited to one kind; The Smooth.
TazyIts native habitat are Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan and Russia, and limited to one onekind; The Feather
AzawakhIts native habitats are Mali, Central Nigeria, Goa and Jorma, and limited to one kind; The Smooth.
TRAINING
Saluki dogs starts training after turning three months, and they begin to participate in hunting trips once they reach their first year of age and become able to run very fast.
The Bedouin man distinguishes the highbred Saluki by several qualities and characteristics; its nose is characterized by black or dark brown stamp, his teeth must have a “laughing” impression revealing strong jaws, in addition to multiple signs and spots that reveal his highbred and distinctness. A white tail tip reveals a skilled hunter. A whitened neck reveals a very fast Saluki, and the lint between the toes and the pad protects it from hot sand, sometimes, the feet of a Saluki are treated with henna, which provides them with greater protection against the heat.
The attractive feature of the Saluki is the fragrant smell emitted by a gland at the back of its head.This trait is another reason for the Bedouin to cherish the Saluki dog, and to distinguish it from other species of its kind.
RACING &
HUNTING
Due to its intelligence and loyalty, the hunting dog was one of the most significant and oldest methods of hunting wild preys for the people in the Arabian Peninsula desert, as the Arabian Saluki is loyal to its owner, has distinctive characteristics and instinct in hunting
Their high speed and exceptional endurance make them an excellent method for hunting and racing.
They are often used on falconry trips. Saluki dogs which participate in these trips are tamed from young age and trained to work together during the hunt.
Saluki dogs play an important role during hunting trips, due to their ability to find prey that was struck by a falcon, hiding in bushes, tall grass, or in other hideouts.Thus, falcons and salukis cooperate to catch the hiding prey, as the falcon locates the prey from above and guides the dog to its place to catch it.
Saluki races, which began hundreds of years ago in the Arabian Peninsula, continue to this day, as their high speed makes it both entertaining and exciting. These races are held in heritage festivals, and other sporting and cultural events.
Physical Characteristics
Saluki can run at speeds of up to 75 km/hour, and they can maintain that speed for up to 3 miles. The weight of adult dogs is about 20 kg. These dogs are characterized by a long body, slender stature, with high eyebrows, a flat and high chest, a rectangular mouth, long and broad ears, and they are among the finest dogs for having an extraordinary ability to sniff by virtue of his long nose.
There are two main types of purebred Arabian Saluki hounds, which are Smooth (Al-Hoss), which light-hair covering its entire body, and Feathery (Al-Arish) with thick hair.
Special Features
The Arabian hound is used in the hunting sports with the participation of falcons, it is also used for surveillance and guarding. It lives from 16-18 years, it is inherently loyal, guards its master and protect his home and never hunt without his master’s order.
