Saluki

FCI standard Nº 269

Origin
Middle East / FCI Patronage
Translation
Proposed by Mrs Karin Hedberg (Sweden), Mrs Ute Lennartz (Germany)
Dr. Alain Campagne (France)
Mr. Terry Thorn (Great-Britain)
Raymond Triquet, as President of the Standard Commission of the F.C.I.
Group
Group 10 Sighthounds
Section
Section 1 Long haired or fringed Sighthounds
Working
Without working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI
Friday 08 April 1966
Publication of the official valid standard
Wednesday 25 October 2000
Last update
Wednesday 29 November 2000
En français, cette race se dit
Saluki
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar
Saluki
En español, esta raza se dice
Saluki
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd
Saluki

Usage

Hunting and coursing hound.

Brief historical summary

Salukis vary in type and the variation is desired and typical for the breed. The reason for the variation is the special place held by the Saluki in the Arab tradition and the immense size of the Middle East area where the Saluki has been used as a hound of the chase for thousands of years. Originally each tribe had Salukis best suited for hunting the particular game in its own area, but by Middle East tradition, Salukis are not bought or sold but presented as marks of honour. It follows that those presented as such to Europeans and brought to Europe came from a wide variation of terrain and climate and vary accordingly. The British 1923 standard was the first official European breed standard for the Saluki and was drawn up to cover all these original types of Saluki.

General appearance

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.
Smooth variety : the points should be the same with the exception of the coat which has no feathering.

Important proportions

The length of the body (from point of shoulder to point of buttock) is approximately equal to the height at the withers, although the dog often gives the impression of being longer than he really is.

Behaviour / temperament

Reserved with strangers, but not nervous or aggressive. Dignified, intelligent and independent.

Head

Cranial region

Head
Long and narrow, the whole showing nobility.
Skull
Moderately wide between ears, not domed. 
Stop
Not pronounced.

Facial region

Nose
Black or liver brown.
Jaws and teeth
Teeth and jaws are strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite.
Eyes
Dark to hazel and bright, large and oval, but not prominent. The expression should be dignified and gentle with faithful and far-seeing eyes.
Ears
Long and covered with long silky hair, set on high, mobile, hanging close to the skull.

Neck

Long, supple and well muscled.

Body

Back
Fairly broad.
Loin
Slightly arched and well muscled.
Croup
Hipbones set wide apart.
Chest
Deep, long and moderately narrow. Neither barrel ribbed nor slab sided.
Underline and belly
Well tucked up.

Tail

Long, set on low and carried naturally in a curve, well feathered on the underside with long silky hair, not bushy. In adults not carried above the topline except in play. Tip reaching at least to the point of hock.

Limbs

Forequarters

Shoulders
Well laid back, well muscled without being coarse.
Upper arm
Approximately equal in length to the shoulder blade and forming a good angle with it.
Forearm
Long and straight from elbow to wrist.
Pastern
Strong and flexible, slightly sloping.
Forefeet
Feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched, not splayed, but at the same time not cat-footed; the whole being strong and supple; feathered between the toes.

Hindquarters

Generality
Strong, showing galloping and jumping power.
Upper thigh
Upper and lower thighs well developed.
Stifle
Moderately bent.
Hock
Well let down.
Hind feet
Similar to front feet.

Gait and movement

Smooth, flowing and effortless at trot. Light and lifting showing both reach and drive without hackney action or pounding.

Coat

Hair
Smooth and of a soft, silky texture, feathering on the legs and at the back of thighs, feathering may be present on the throat in adults, puppies may have slight woolly feather on thighs and shoulders.
The smooth variety has no feathering.
Colour
Any colour or combination of colours is permissible. Brindles are undesirable.

Size and weight

Height at withers
Average between 58 - 71 cm (23-28 inches), bitches proportionally smaller.

Faults

• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

Disqualifying faults

 Aggressive or overly shy dogs.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

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