Saluki

The Saluki does well on a high-quality dog food. Commercial or home-prepared diets both work, with home-prepared meals made under your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to your dog's life stage: puppy, adult, or senior. Feed twice daily, morning and evening, and keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

Appetites vary widely, from skimpy to gluttonous. A big eater will often help itself to other dogs' food as well as its own, so feed Salukis separately from other dogs in the household to keep them from gaining excess weight. Watch how much your dog eats, since some put on weight as they age. If that happens, cut back on portions or treats.

Follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging, and ask your vet to set the right portion for your dog's ideal body weight and life stage. Salukis are prone to obesity, so measure portions and limit treats. Learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not, and check with your vet if you have any concerns.

These are very athletic dogs. To support the joints, your vet may suggest a joint supplement in the early adult years. Talk to your vet before giving any supplements.

The Saluki has a smooth, short coat that grooms easily with a weekly brushing. Salukis are very clean dogs and known for having no doggy odor. They need no special skin care and only need a bath when dirty.

Routine Saluki care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing. Salukis are not as prone to ear infections as some breeds, but they can develop them, especially with allergies or water in the ears after a bath. Clean the ears with a routine cleaner that contains a drying agent, ideally after a bath or other water activity. If your Saluki has allergies, ask your vet how often to clean the ears.

Salukis can have clear or brown eye discharge. This is normal, as the eyes water to keep their surface clear of air particles. Wipe it away gently with a warm, moistened washcloth, since discharge left uncleaned can lead to tear staining. The fur around the eyes stays short and does not need trimming.

The Saluki is an energetic, active breed that needs daily exercise to stay healthy. Plan on at least two hours of activity a day. Daily walks on a leash keep both hound and owner fit in body and mind, and these dogs love to run.

Salukis are happy to run in a well-fenced yard or take long walks and runs with their people, and they excel in canine sports such as agility and lure coursing. Good fencing keeps them safely away from traffic.

Salukis may try to escape or chew destructively when bored or unhappy, so they need secure fencing, safe toys, and chew items.

The Saluki benefits from three kinds of training. Crate training gives the dog a safe place to be confined at home or while traveling, and it helps a puppy feel secure alone and stay out of trouble. Basic obedience teaches manners in the home and community. Start young, and you can also train a Saluki to hold still for nail trims and daily teeth brushing.

Salukis are independent and stubborn, which makes them challenging to train. They would rather be free to do as they please. They need early socialization, and starting obedience classes in puppyhood with positive-reinforcement methods works well. A Saluki may not suit a first-time owner.

Salukis can be good companions for adults and prefer a calm, quiet environment. They can do well with other dogs when socialized early, but their hunting history means they may view cats, guinea pigs, and other small pets as something to chase. The Saluki loves the people it knows and tends to ignore strangers. It bonds so closely with its family that it dislikes being left alone all day and may turn mischievous during long absences.