Post by charmingnancy on Jan 13, 2009 14:36:33 GMT -5
Saluki
Group: 2- Hounds
Origin: Middle East
Purpose: The Saluki has historically served as a courser, a speedy hunting dog that operated in packs. They often hunted in tandem with falcons which locate the prey and for the dogs to run down.
Description:
The saluki is perhaps the oldest known breed of domesticated dog. As a purebreed type, its history can be traced back thousands of years. A study published in the May 21, 2004 issue of Science confirms the Saluki's antiquity through DNA analysis identifying it as one of the earliest breeds to diverge from wolves.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
The whole appearance of this breed 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 mountains. The expression should be dignified and gentle, with deep, faithful, far-seeing eyes.
Coat: Smooth and of a soft silky texture, slight feather on the legs, feather at the back of the thighs and sometimes with slight woolly feather on the thigh and shoulder.
Colour: White, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle, and tan tricolour (white, black and tan), black and tan, or any of the aforementioned colours and white.
Head: Long and narrow. Skull moderately wide between the ears, not domed, stop not pronounced, the whole showing great quality. Nose black or liver. Teeth strong and level; eyes dark to hazel and bright; large and oval, but not prominent; ears long and covered with long silky hair, hanging close to the skull and mobile.
Neck: Long, supple, and well muscled.
Forequarters: Shoulders sloping and set well back, well muscled without being coarse. Forelegs straight and long from the elbow to the knee.
Loin and Back: Back fairly broad, muscles slightly arched over loin. Chest deep and moderately narrow.
Hindquarters: Strong, hip bones set well apart and stifle moderately bent, hocks low to the ground, showing galloping and jumping power. Feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched, not splayed out, but at the same time not cat-footed; the whole being strong and supple and well feathered between the toes.
Tail: Long, set on low and carried naturally in a curve, well feathered on the underside with long, silky hair, not bushy.
Smooth Variety: In this variety, the points should be the same with the exception of the coat, which has no feathering.
Size:
Dogs should average in height from 23-28 inches (58-71 cm), and
Bitches may be considerably smaller, this being very typical of the breed.
Temperament:
A true Saluki retains the qualities of hunting hounds and may seem reserved and aloof. They learn quickly but can get bored with repetition, so training sessions should be short and varied. Sensitive and intelligent, the Saluki should never be trained using force or hard-handed methods.
Salukis need regular exercise, but can behave quietly indoors. They are usually quiet and don't bark unless there is a reason, but they will "sing" (a high pitched howl, with oscillating volume) when they feel that something is wrong or when a member of the family is away for a long period of time. This "singing" can also be for bonding in the family (pack) group. There are salukis that have been taught to "sing" on cue. Salukis can get along well with children and can become protective, but the family must respect the dog's need for quiet and peaceful time alone to rest.
Health:
The Saluki is a very healthy breed. The biggest problem to worry about is their sensitivity to anesthesia as a result of their low levels of body fat. The Saluki tends to have large litters. Litters of ten puppies are not at all unusual.
Average Lifespan:
Salukis have a fairly long life span, living an average of 12-13 years.
History:
Salukis appear on Egyptian tombs from 2100 B.C. The dogs were so esteemed that they were often mummified like the bodies of the Pharaohs themselves. Numerous Saluki remains have been found in the ancient tombs of the Upper Nile region.
The name 'saluki' comes from the name of the ancient Arabian city 'Saluq'.
In Muslim cultures, dogs are often seen as unclean. A saluki, however, is given a different status by the Arab culture. The breed is treasured by the Bedouin for the white spot on the dog's chest. The Bedouin value them, breeding them for both beauty and hunting qualities. A saluki, instead of being viewed as unclean, often sleeps in tents with their owners, to be protected from the heat of the day and the cold of the night.
Salukis were first brought into England in 1840. There was no real interest however, until the Hon. Florence Amherst imported the first Arabian Saluki in 1895 from the kennels of Prince Abdulla in Transjordan. King Abdullah's hounds were probably originally from Kurdish areas of Syria.
Salukis have the largest genetic base among purebreds. Recently, the AKC (American Kennel Club) has allowed the third generation of COO (Country of Origin) salukis to be registered after inspections by recognized judges so the DNA base will broaden.
Although the greyhound is widely viewed as being the fastest dog breed with a top speed of around 45 mph (72 km/h), the Saluki is said to be faster, with top speeds of 48 mph (77 km/h). Testing this has proved difficult as Salukis show no interest in electric hares and therefore won't race greyhounds on a track. However, as their original use was for hunting desert gazelles with top speeds of up to 50 mph, the speed claim could be true.
Sources:
CKC
Wikipedia
Pictures:
Photobucket
Group: 2- Hounds
Origin: Middle East
Purpose: The Saluki has historically served as a courser, a speedy hunting dog that operated in packs. They often hunted in tandem with falcons which locate the prey and for the dogs to run down.
Description:
The saluki is perhaps the oldest known breed of domesticated dog. As a purebreed type, its history can be traced back thousands of years. A study published in the May 21, 2004 issue of Science confirms the Saluki's antiquity through DNA analysis identifying it as one of the earliest breeds to diverge from wolves.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
The whole appearance of this breed 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 mountains. The expression should be dignified and gentle, with deep, faithful, far-seeing eyes.
Coat: Smooth and of a soft silky texture, slight feather on the legs, feather at the back of the thighs and sometimes with slight woolly feather on the thigh and shoulder.
Colour: White, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle, and tan tricolour (white, black and tan), black and tan, or any of the aforementioned colours and white.
Head: Long and narrow. Skull moderately wide between the ears, not domed, stop not pronounced, the whole showing great quality. Nose black or liver. Teeth strong and level; eyes dark to hazel and bright; large and oval, but not prominent; ears long and covered with long silky hair, hanging close to the skull and mobile.
Neck: Long, supple, and well muscled.
Forequarters: Shoulders sloping and set well back, well muscled without being coarse. Forelegs straight and long from the elbow to the knee.
Loin and Back: Back fairly broad, muscles slightly arched over loin. Chest deep and moderately narrow.
Hindquarters: Strong, hip bones set well apart and stifle moderately bent, hocks low to the ground, showing galloping and jumping power. Feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched, not splayed out, but at the same time not cat-footed; the whole being strong and supple and well feathered between the toes.
Tail: Long, set on low and carried naturally in a curve, well feathered on the underside with long, silky hair, not bushy.
Smooth Variety: In this variety, the points should be the same with the exception of the coat, which has no feathering.
Size:
Dogs should average in height from 23-28 inches (58-71 cm), and
Bitches may be considerably smaller, this being very typical of the breed.
Temperament:
A true Saluki retains the qualities of hunting hounds and may seem reserved and aloof. They learn quickly but can get bored with repetition, so training sessions should be short and varied. Sensitive and intelligent, the Saluki should never be trained using force or hard-handed methods.
Salukis need regular exercise, but can behave quietly indoors. They are usually quiet and don't bark unless there is a reason, but they will "sing" (a high pitched howl, with oscillating volume) when they feel that something is wrong or when a member of the family is away for a long period of time. This "singing" can also be for bonding in the family (pack) group. There are salukis that have been taught to "sing" on cue. Salukis can get along well with children and can become protective, but the family must respect the dog's need for quiet and peaceful time alone to rest.
Health:
The Saluki is a very healthy breed. The biggest problem to worry about is their sensitivity to anesthesia as a result of their low levels of body fat. The Saluki tends to have large litters. Litters of ten puppies are not at all unusual.
Average Lifespan:
Salukis have a fairly long life span, living an average of 12-13 years.
History:
Salukis appear on Egyptian tombs from 2100 B.C. The dogs were so esteemed that they were often mummified like the bodies of the Pharaohs themselves. Numerous Saluki remains have been found in the ancient tombs of the Upper Nile region.
The name 'saluki' comes from the name of the ancient Arabian city 'Saluq'.
In Muslim cultures, dogs are often seen as unclean. A saluki, however, is given a different status by the Arab culture. The breed is treasured by the Bedouin for the white spot on the dog's chest. The Bedouin value them, breeding them for both beauty and hunting qualities. A saluki, instead of being viewed as unclean, often sleeps in tents with their owners, to be protected from the heat of the day and the cold of the night.
Salukis were first brought into England in 1840. There was no real interest however, until the Hon. Florence Amherst imported the first Arabian Saluki in 1895 from the kennels of Prince Abdulla in Transjordan. King Abdullah's hounds were probably originally from Kurdish areas of Syria.
Salukis have the largest genetic base among purebreds. Recently, the AKC (American Kennel Club) has allowed the third generation of COO (Country of Origin) salukis to be registered after inspections by recognized judges so the DNA base will broaden.
Although the greyhound is widely viewed as being the fastest dog breed with a top speed of around 45 mph (72 km/h), the Saluki is said to be faster, with top speeds of 48 mph (77 km/h). Testing this has proved difficult as Salukis show no interest in electric hares and therefore won't race greyhounds on a track. However, as their original use was for hunting desert gazelles with top speeds of up to 50 mph, the speed claim could be true.
Sources:
CKC
Wikipedia
Pictures:
Photobucket