Sighthound Large size 18-27 kg

Saluki

A graceful, sensitive sighthound that is calm at home but needs secure sprinting space - its intense prey drive rules out off-leash areas and small pets.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
18-27 kg, 58-71 cm tall
High
Activity
Bursts of hard sprinting; calm indoors
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Independent but sensitive and bonded
Moderate
Handling
Aloof and independent; responds to gentle methods
Low
Coat care
Silky coat needs only occasional brushing
Moderate
Fit with kids
Reserved; better with older, calm children
Low
Other pets
Very high prey drive toward small animals
Moderate
Health burden
Bloat and cardiac risk

The Saluki typically weighs 18-27 kg, stands 58-71 cm, and lives 12-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you have regular access to a large, securely fenced area for sprinting,
you appreciate a quiet, dignified dog that shows affection on its own terms,
your household is calm - no shouting matches, no rough handling,
you accept a dog that hears your recall and weighs its options.

Do not consider this breed if…

you want off-leash hikes - a Saluki chasing a deer is gone in seconds,
you have cats or small pets it was not raised with,
you want an eager-to-please, obedience-style dog,
your home is loud or handled with a heavy hand - this breed shuts down.

A typical day with a Saluki

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    Long leashed walk; unhurried, nose and eyes working
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Sleeps on the softest surface it can claim
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short stretch-the-legs outing
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Sprint session in a fenced field or lure coursing, 2-3x weekly
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Second calm walk; quiet time near the family
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Ten more hours of elegant sleeping ahead

Temperament and training

Prey drive Very high
Sensitivity Very high
Independence High
Calm indoors Very high
Reserve with strangers High
Eagerness to please Low
Common owner mistakes
Unclipping the leash in open country just once - that is all it takes · Using harsh corrections on a breed that responds by withdrawing · Assuming calm indoor behavior means sprint needs are optional

Family and environment

Kids Conditional
Gentle but easily overwhelmed; best with older, calm children.
Dogs Good
Usually peaceful, happiest with other sighthounds.
Cats Poor
A running cat triggers the chase; risky even when raised together.
Apartment Conditional
Quiet and clean indoors, but sprint outlets must exist nearby.
House with a yard Suitable
Fence must be high - Salukis jump and scale surprisingly well.
City Conditional
Manages on leash; finding safe sprint space is the challenge.
Countryside Conditional
Ideal space, but wildlife everywhere means leash discipline.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) Raised risk in large sighthounds
Bloat (GDV) Feed smaller meals, avoid exercise right after eating
Dilated cardiomyopathy Heart-muscle disease; screening advised
Hypothyroidism Manageable with daily medication once diagnosed

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Glamorous cousin with the same independence
Afghan Hound
A glamorous, aloof sighthound for owners who love grooming and can accept a dog that runs on its own agenda rather than yours.
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Easier-going sighthound, adoptable as a retiree
Greyhound
The original 70 km/h couch potato - calmer indoors than most small breeds, with a hard-wired chase instinct that never fully switches off.
View profile →
Smaller, more biddable sprint companion
Whippet
A quiet apartment sprinter: 30 minutes of running, 23 hours of couch - just never trust it off leash near small animals.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Saluki cost?
Expect roughly $1,500-$2,500 from a health-testing US breeder; the breed is uncommon, so a wait is normal. Lifetime costs are moderate for a large dog - the coat is cheap to keep and many Salukis stay lean and healthy into their teens - but a single emergency like bloat surgery or cancer treatment can run $5,000-$10,000+, so insurance or a real reserve makes sense.
Can a Saluki ever be let off leash?
Only inside secure fencing. A Saluki can exceed 65 km/h and was bred to chase moving animals across open ground independently; no amount of recall training reliably beats that instinct at distance. Fenced fields, sighthound runs, and lure coursing are how owners give them safe speed.
Are Salukis affectionate?
Yes, but on cat-like terms. A Saluki bonds deeply to its people and often to one person especially, yet it dislikes rough handling, may ignore strangers entirely, and shows love by quietly leaning or sleeping against you rather than by exuberant greeting. If you want a dog that lives for your approval, this is the wrong breed.
Is a Saluki hard to live with indoors?
The opposite - indoors it is one of the easiest large breeds: quiet, clean, nearly odorless, and asleep most of the day. The hard part happens outside: it needs genuine sprint opportunities several times a week, thin skin and little body fat mean it wants soft bedding and a coat in cold weather, and counters are within easy reach of that long neck.