Collection: Personalised Saluki Gifts

Known as the Royal Dogs of Egypt, the Saluki has always been prized for its beautiful and elegant appearance. Add to this their prowess at canine sports and they have achieved a cult super dog status over the years. The Arabs bestowed the name of The Noble on the Saluki. One of the suggestions for the origin of the breed name is the Arabic word for hound. Other suggestions include the city of Saluk in Yemen or Seleukia in Syria.

Beloved for their exotic appearance, the Saluki is rather like a Thoroughbred racehorse, highly strung and very selective about who he makes friends with.

One of the oldest canine breeds on the planet, representations of the Saluki have been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 2100 BC – that’s more than 4,000 years ago and even further back in time to the Sumerian Empire. The Pharaohs used the Saluki to hunt hares and gazelle.

Revered as hunting dogs for their speed and athleticism, the Saluki was equally prized for its beauty and graceful appearance. Sometimes called the Persian Greyhound or the Gazelle Hound, this breed was common across much of the Middle East for centuries. However, the Saluki didn’t make an appearance in the UK until 1840 and then appeared in greater numbers after the First World War when they came back with British officers from the Arab countries. They were recognised and registered by the Kennel Club in 1929.

The Saluki is only suitable for experienced owners as their temperaments are not the easiest to manage; They are highly strung and will chase anything, even large animals like deer with an incredible turn of speed, so secure fencing even in a country environment is essential.

Calm and gentle in the home, the Saluki is not aggressive and may be quite timid and reserved. They can be family pets but are best suited to older children rather than toddlers.