Saluki
Ancient sighthound from the Middle East. Sprinter. Cannot be off-lead near roads — will chase and outrun everything. Calm indoors.
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Training tips for a Saluki
Practical, breed-specific advice tuned to a Saluki's temperament, energy and trainability.
House-Training Consistency
Salukis are clean and dignified by nature, so establish a strict toilet schedule and take them to the same spot each time. If an accident occurs indoors, interrupt calmly with a neutral 'no' and immediately escort outside—they respond poorly to harsh reactions but need clear boundaries.
Early Socialisation Essential
Expose your Saluki to diverse people, dogs, and environments during the critical period, but respect their aloof temperament and don't force interaction. Allow them to observe and approach on their terms while gently guiding them past any fearful hesitation with calm leash pressure and forward movement.
Sprint and Settle
Provide daily opportunity to sprint full-speed in a securely fenced area to satisfy their sighthound drive, then engage their mind with scent games or lure coursing. A tired Saluki is a calm indoor companion, but mental boredom leads to selective deafness.
Managing Prey Drive
Accept that your Saluki will chase anything that moves and never trust off-lead recall near hazards—use a long line for exercise and apply immediate leash correction if they lock onto prey during walks. Train a reliable emergency stop indoors first, pairing the cue with a physical tug if needed.
Gentle but Clear
Match your training to their sensitive, independent nature—use well-timed markers and food to build behaviours, but don't hesitate to apply calm leash guidance or a verbal interruption when they choose to disengage. Salukis need a handler who is patient yet quietly insistent on follow-through.
Training guides for a Saluki
Expert-written guides picked for a Saluki's temperament and needs.
How dogs actually learn: the four quadrants explained
Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and everything in between — a clear, honest look at operant conditioning and when each tool is the right call.
Building a rock-solid recall
A reliable come-when-called can save your dog's life. Here's how to build one that holds up around real distractions.
Loose-lead walking: stop the pulling for good
Why your dog pulls, and a step-by-step plan using clear reinforcement to build a relaxed, no-tension walk.
Health & nutrition for a Saluki
What to watch for, how to feed, and how to keep a Saluki in top shape — tuned to this breed's size and build.
Common health concerns
- •Salukis are prone to cardiac issues including cardiomyopathy, so monitor for exercise intolerance, coughing, or lethargy and schedule regular heart checks.
- •This breed can develop hypothyroidism, watch for unexplained weight gain, lethargy, or coat changes and request thyroid panels during annual exams.
- •Salukis have sensitivity to anaesthesia due to low body fat, so always inform your vet of breed-specific protocols before any surgical procedure.
- •Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) is a risk in deep-chested sighthounds, so feed multiple smaller meals and avoid vigorous exercise immediately after eating.
Feeding & nutrition
- •Feed a biologically-appropriate raw diet with 70% lean muscle meat (kangaroo, rabbit, or venison suit their athletic build), 10% raw meaty bones (chicken necks or wings), 10% organ meat (liver, kidney), and 10% vegetables, totalling approximately 400-650 grams daily for a 40-65 lb Saluki.
- •Raw feeding supports lean muscle mass, joint health, and dental hygiene critical for sighthounds, while providing bioavailable nutrients that maintain their low body fat and high metabolism.
- •Divide raw meals into two servings daily to reduce bloat risk in this deep-chested breed, and ensure bones are appropriate size to prevent gulping.
- •If raw feeding isn't possible, choose a high-quality grain-free kibble with named meat as the first ingredient, feeding approximately 2-3 cups daily split into two meals, though this remains nutritionally inferior to raw.
Exercise & weight
- •Salukis require daily opportunities to sprint at full speed in a securely fenced area, as they are built for explosive bursts reaching 40+ mph and need this outlet for physical and mental health.
- •Provide at least one hour of exercise daily including leashed walks and safe off-lead running, but never off-lead in unfenced areas due to unstoppable prey drive.
- •Engage their chase instinct with lure coursing or flirt pole sessions 2-3 times weekly to satisfy their sighthound nature and prevent frustration or weight gain.
- •Balance high-intensity sprints with calm indoor time, as Salukis are couch potatoes at home and don't require constant activity between exercise sessions.
Educational guidance only — not veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed vet for your dog's specific health needs.
Ready to meet a Saluki?
Search animal shelters and rescues across Australia — and consider bringing a certified trainer to your first meet-and-greet.