Saluki

• Bathing: Bathe them every few months, though you can bathe more often if they tend to get dirty. Some Salukis have skin sensitivities, so try a gentle dog shampoo that’s formulated for your pet’s needs, if your vet recommends it. 
• Brushing: Give them a weekly brushing—particularly around their feathered ears, legs, and tail—with a slicker brush to remove any mats. For the rest of their body, a natural bristle brush will do. Excessive hair around the face can be trimmed with grooming scissors. 
• Dental care: Help keep your pup’s teeth in shape by brushing them daily with a dog toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start when they’re a puppy, so they get used to the experience. Get a pro cleaning at your vet once a year. 
• Ear care: Check your Saluki’s ears every day. If there’s redness, swelling, debris, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection. Talk to your vet about how to clean your dog’s ears if they’re prone to irritation or infections.  
• Nail care: Salukis need their nails trimmed once a month. You’ll know it’s time for a pawdicure when you can hear their nails tapping on hard surfaces. 

Training can take a bit of time for these smart dogs, but patience and consistency go a long way. Because of this, Salukis might be a better fit for experienced dog parents.  

Keep your training sessions short and fun, avoid too much repetition so your pup doesn’t get bored, and use training treats to your advantage. 

Training a Saluki puppy is all about socialization. Aim to introduce them to as many new people as possible in their first 12–14 weeks to help get them used to new encounters. They should be exposed to a diverse pool of both humans and other dogs in calm situations to keep the experiences positive.  

Note that these pups are super speedy, and sometimes there’s no training in the world that can squash their instinct to chase squirrels, skateboarders, or just about anything that catches their attention. In that sense, it’s crucial to make sure they’re safely on a leash.  

Because every dog has different dietary needs, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Salukis typically thrive on a diet of high-quality commercial dog food that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, or senior) and meets AAFCO standards. Your vet can help you choose the best dog food.  

These pups can be finicky eaters, so it might take some trial and error to find the right food for them. Ask your veterinarian for advice if you need help, and see if they recommend probiotics during diet changes to help prevent stomach upset.  

Supplements or treats containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and fish oils can also help protect their joints and organs as they age. Ask your veterinarian if your dog would benefit from these supplements.  

Stay on top of treats. While they’re important for motivating your Saluki during training, treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories. 

Another important thing to know about feeding a Saluki: Because of their deep chest, this breed is susceptible to a dangerous condition called bloat. To reduce their risk, pet parents can: 

• Feed their dog using a slow feeder bowl 
• Avoid elevated food bowls 
• Restrict exercise for two hours before and after their Saluki eats 
• Offer at least two meals per day instead of one big meal 

Your brilliant Saluki might seem like a contradiction when it comes to exercise: Yes, they can run up to 40 mph, but do they want to run a marathon? Not really. Do they want to sit at home all day? Absolutely not that, either.  

Ideally, Saluki dogs need an hour of exercise a day, though more could work, too. The key is making sure they don’t get overexerted.  

They’ll enjoy walks on a leash, but those aren’t enough to exert all their energy. These dogs need to run freely in an enclosed environment, like a fenced yard or dog park, at least a few times a week. When they get to stretch their legs, Salukis tend to be happy, placid pups.   

Keep in mind they can become bored and antsy or destructive if they don’t get to stretch their sprinter’s legs at least once a day. Make sure to have some safe dog toys and chews on hand to keep them busy. 

Salukis are intelligent, intuitive, and extremely perceptive, making them highly attuned to others’ emotions. They’re most at ease in a laid-back setting with calm or older kids. These sensitive souls would prefer to avoid chaos or roughhousing.   

They’ll adore a fenced yard, but if you have a nearby dog park where they can safely run free, that’s just as good.  

When it comes to hosting visitors, Salukis won’t necessarily give anyone the side-eye, but they’ll be on the shier side. They tend to enjoy peace and quiet, as well as a stable routine.   

They might tolerate a dog sibling if they don’t have to compete for attention. However, if you have smaller animals at home—guinea pigs and hamsters, take note—your perfect pup might not be a Saluki, as they’re likely to chase these tiny critters.  

Salukis aren’t overly sensitive to heat or cold, but if you live somewhere with a brisk winter season, they’ll appreciate a dog sweater or light layer when the temperatures dip into the 40s or lower. In hot temperatures, they should always have access to shade when you’re outside together. Even better, limit your outdoor time to early mornings and late evenings on those days.