The Saluki is the oldest known breed in the world: its history dates back approximately 9000 years to ancient Syria. From there, the breed spread to Egypt, Persia, India and Afghanistan. Originally a hunter of fox, hare and gazelle, the Saluki was the dog of choice for those in positions of royalty or nobility. The sheiks presented the Salukis as gifts of honour to travelers from abroad and by the year 1100 the breed began to appear in several European countries. As in its country of origin, the Saluki gained favor and popularity among royalty and several works of art depict the cherished Salukis with their masters. Today the Saluki is known for its fine companionship.

Appearance
The whole appearance of the Saluki should give an impression of grace and symmetry and of great speed and endurance coupled with strength and activity to enable it to kill gazelle or other quarry over deep sand or rocky mountain. The expression of the Saluki should be dignified and gentle with deep, faithful, far-seeing eyes.

Character
The elegant Saluki makes a distinguished companion, is loyal, affectionate and, because of its keen sense of hearing, makes a good watchdog. Salukis get along well with children, but must be respected when they want to be left alone and rest. Salukis should sleep inside in all but the warmest climates; they do best as indoor dogs with access to a yard. They can play in snow and cold weather but should not be expected to spend extended time in the cold. The Saluki must have a soft bed, or it could develop calluses. A Saluki in proper weight is naturally thin; however, this breed tends to be a picky eater, which can result in a very thin-looking dog. Many people not familiar with the Saluki wrongly assume that the dog is not being fed properly!
 

Temperament
Modern Salukis retain the qualities of hunting hounds. They may appear reserved and uninterested. The Salukis learn quickly but can get bored with repetition, so training sessions should be short and varied. Salukis need regular exercise, but behave quietly indoors. They do not bark much but "sing" when they feel that something is wrong or when a member of the family is away for a long period of time. The Salukis have a fairly long life span, living an average of 12-13 years.

Sensitive and intelligent, the Saluki should never be trained using force or hard-handed methods. They are usually quiet and don't bark unless there is a reason.

Salukis should not be allowed off leash. Their strong prey drive can lead them to chase deer and other animals, and they can be difficult to stop, seemingly becoming "drunk" with running. Adequate fencing for Salukis is a must as they can easily jump a five-foot fence. Scientists maintain that these dogs need to eat some more red meats such as lamb. Also, the Salukis are not very good in water, or snow. This is from the National Veterinary Scholars.

Exercise/Training
Daily exercise is essential for the Saluki, preferably in the form of free running in a safe, enclosed area. The Saluki’s exercise needs can also be met with long leash walks or jogging. Playing and obedience are very good types of mental exercise. 15 minutes obedience and playing with your Saluki will be more useful for the dogs exercise then an hour walk on the leash can provide.

Color
The coat of the Saluki can come in various colors such as white, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle and tan, tricolour (white, black and tan), and black and tan, or variations of these colors.

Grooming
The smooth coat of the Saluki needs only occasional brushing to remove dead hair, but the feathered coat needs combing once or twice a week to prevent matting. A good nutrition and regular brushing keeps the proper coat shine and the skin healthy. Bathing doesn’t harm the coat of the Saluki as long as you use a good quality shampoo that doesn't dry the skin and coat and is formulated for a canine coat. The ears of the Saluki should be kept clean and regularly inspected as well.

Any breed described as "good with children", the dog must be accustomed to children. Any dog that is not well socialized with children will not behave predictably around them. As with all dogs, they should never be left alone with young children.