One of the most ancient sighthound breeds, bred across the Middle East to course gazelle and hare over desert terrain. Graceful, fast, and reserved, with a strong independent streak and powerful prey drive.
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From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
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Minimum
House with yard + serious daily exercise
House + secure yard + 60–90 min exercise
A large dog can adjust to apartment life only with an athletic owner; most do better in a house with a secure yard and 60–90 minutes of structured exercise daily. Crate-train and supervise free-roam until reliably mannered.
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Recommended
Suburban home + ¼-acre fence + 90 min exercise
House + ¼-acre fenced yard + 90 min exercise
A suburban property with a quarter-acre or larger securely fenced yard, 90 minutes of daily exercise split across walks and off-lead time, and consistent training. Most large breeds peak in this setting.
Sighthounds need safe, fully-fenced space at least a third of an acre for full-speed sprinting — a single 30-second run can be the highlight of their day. Lure coursing or straight-track racing channels their drive; never let off-lead in unsecured areas as recall fails at sight of fast-moving prey.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
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Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
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Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Needs daily opportunity to run at full gallop in a safe, securely fenced area; this breed can reach very high speeds and should never be off-leash in unsecured spaces because of its intense prey drive. Despite the exercise need it is calm and clean indoors and can live in an apartment if galloping outlets are provided. Sensitive to cold; a coat helps in winter.
Diet
Lean by nature with little body fat, the Saluki should look slim, with ribs lightly visible; do not feed to a typical 'filled-out' body condition. Some are picky eaters. As a deep-chested breed there is a moderate bloat risk, so feed measured meals and avoid heavy exercise right around feeding. Sighthounds can be sensitive to certain anesthetics and drugs because of low body fat.
Behavior & temperament
Aloof and dignified with strangers, deeply devoted to its own people. Independent and 'cat-like'; trains best with patient, reward-based methods and never harsh corrections, which it resents. High prey drive makes it unreliable around small running animals and cats it wasn't raised with. Good with calm older children; not a fan of rough handling.
Health
Generally healthy and long-lived for a large breed. Watch for cardiac disease (including cardiomyopathy and murmurs), hypothyroidism, and certain cancers (hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma). Sighthound anesthetic sensitivity requires a vet experienced with the breed. Screening: cardiac evaluation, thyroid panel, and eye exam. Discuss breed-appropriate anesthesia protocols.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Two coat types (smooth and feathered); both are low-maintenance, with the feathered variety needing weekly brushing of the ear and leg feathering. Shedding is light. Provide soft padded bedding, as the bony, lean frame is prone to pressure sores on hard floors. Invest in solid recall training but always rely on secure fencing and a leash near roads or wildlife.
