Saluki Insurance

Saluki is one of the oldest dog breeds and gets its name from the ancient city of Saluki in the Middle East, which no longer exists today. They were considered ‘a gift of Allah’ and were the favoured dogs of ancient Egyptian royalty, with some even mummified alongside Egyptian kings in the royal tombs.

They reached British shores in the late 1700s, and were initially named Persian Greyhound, as they are both lean and share similar physical characteristics, although the Saluki’s coat tends to be fluffier than the Greyhound.

They have a larger heart than most dog breeds, which makes them fantastic runners, though be aware that means they need to be looked after while on walks, as they can take off at great speed. They need a lot of exercise, but should be kept in a fenced area if they are to run off-lead as, sadly, more Salukis die from being hit by a car than from illness.

They have an average life expectancy of about 12 years, but do suffer from some genetic disorders, including eye problems, cancer and thyroid conditions. They also sunburn easily, especially on the nose. More information about the breed can be found on the Saluki Welfare website and the Saluki or Gazelle Hound Club.

They are easy to groom (their coat is only one layer), but are difficult to train. They may not be suitable for families with small children or first time dog owners, as they are quite reserved and aloof and do not take kindly to roughhousing. That said, they are adaptable to most environments (as long as they have a large safe place to run around in) and are loyal and gentle with their family.

Join this group to club together with other Saluki owners to get a great deal on insurance for your athletic regal companion.

By Ronny Lavie