The Saluki | Saluki type and anatomy

"The actual blueprint that comes before the breeder´s eyes is the winning dog he sees in the show ring. This creates a mental picture for him - the projection in flesh of the specifications. However, this animal might have a cardinal strucural fault and win in spite of it beacuse the others are just as bad or beacuse the fancy at that time is emphasizing special characteristics. In such case the breeder is apt to form a mental blueprint that is not sound, and as time passes the fault becomes an earmark of the breed or of his own animals."

- McDowell Lyon, The Dog in Action, 1950 

How did it become a self-evident truth that westerners with around 100 years experience of a dog type with a recorded history of at least 6.000 years suddenly became the only certain source of the so-called truth about the same breed? The westerners who wrote the Saluki breed standard (and who continues to rewrite it) after a limited time spent (mainly with showing the dogs in trot for judges who sometimes don´t know or care about the breeds heritage) with the breed claims to know more about how a Saluki should look like than the villagers and bedouins who - without any standards, but with great knowledge about how a salukitype dog should be built to be able for its purpose - bred Salukis for thousands of years. All of a sudden the country of origin Saluki became wrong, became "not saluki" for many in the west world, some of whom claim "their Saluki" to be the only right, purebred one.

Drawing: Viktoria Guwallius

And maybe this is the truth - that the breed we here in the west regard Saluki has became a whole new breed, apart from the eastern. Or at least, that it in many cases we are slowly developing it into a different breed. As for myself, I would like to see a Saluki true to its origin and purpose. Dog shows and standards is not the way to achive this, they will primarily say something about the dogs´ form and not it´s function. A working breed needs to practice it´s working skills to stay being the same breed. In countries where the original purpose of the Saluki has been forbidden to practise, we have to rely on other methods of measuring. We cannot simulate coursing as it is done under original conditions with the power, speed and endurance that this demands - but can get a hint of our dogs skills trough sports as lure coursing or track racing. And if small hints of the big perspective is our only measurement for stamina, they become even more important, in my opinion. If we loose even the hints, what do we have left to judge if our dogs are still Saluki?

Beacause when come to think of it, what does actually make a Saluki? Is it fancy trot movements and long, glossy feathering at ears and tail? Or is it the ability to turn swiftly, galop for miles and will to hunt? For me, the answer on this question is very obvious. However, some might say that it is what you see that makes the dog, and not the abilities. The western Saluki contains several varations in type, but they have in common that they are all more "streamlined" than their eastern relatives. This fact is not particularly strange, the western Saluki is mostly bred out of a limited gene pool that was imported from the east during a limited time. The eastern dogs varies more in type, but one thing that certainly applies to all of them is their skills as hunters. And so the form follows the function. A working dog would not benefit on having extreme physics. Instead their proprtions are of the moderate kind.

For a healhtier breed, I think we need to look back to the origin and to what truly makes a Saluki. Focusing on abilities rather than looks would benefit our breed a lot. You may notice that I don´t have any standards written on this website. Well, that is beacause I think that standards often takes focus from what is really important.

Appearance is no more than eye appeal. Go under the skin if you would answer the riddle of build and operation! Once we understand the reason for feature and action, and the effect which variations cause, the more truly can we evaluate what meets the eye, and then winnow the important from the less important trends of fancy.

- Josephine Z. Rine, The Dog in Action (Introduction), 1950

Two Salukis of great balance, that holds up very nice when standing naturally. Photos: Viktoria Guwallius

A dog with too much angulation, stretched out and standing relaxed. Note how the outline and knees are depending on being stretched out to achive a balance. When standing naturally the knees will push forward, giving an unbalanced impression and transfering the centre of gravity and thus also the pressure on the joints. This build makes a dog move sneakingly with the hind legs, but when showed in fast trot it makes "flashy" movements. Drawings: Viktoria Guwallius

The Saluki should be built solely for stamina. Its beauty should be of direct consequence to its function. Besides the obvious things as a good temper and health, the Saluki should be made to fit their task of being a sound hunting animal. I think you can learn very much by observing a dogs ability on the field. What I look for in particular is endurance, speed, reversibleness and assessment. A dog stretched out to the max in a showring may display "elegant lines", but I find it much more interesting to look at dogs when they stand relaxed. Do they still hold together? Or does the backline slope above sagging knees? A good dog won´t sag, it will keep it´s balance also when relaxed. Therefor I prefer to see a Saluki that is of moderate proportions. A Saluki sould give the impression of perfect balance. Square form, tall legs, deep chest and a good tuck-up emphasizes that for me. Moderate angulation and a soft arch over the loin is important for the dogs efficiency. The paws shall be slightly oblong and flexible. The eyes can vary in color from light to dark brown. Focus and an alert expression is essential. Smooth or feathered coat does not matter to me, nor do the color and markings. The tail can be with or whithout feathering, the ears can vary in type and placement. The size of the Saluki should also variate. There should be an exotic grace about a Saluki, a sort of celestial presence when being near them.  And last but definitely not least: a good dog is always a good dog - regardless off breeder, lines, country of origin, color and markings. If a individual is sound, able and in good health they always have potential. 

A good rear, note the strength in the knees and stifles. Photo: Viktoria Guwallius	A poor rear and backline, note the difference of balance between the dogs. Drawing: Viktoria Guwallius

"Cliques do form among fanciers, with or without intent, that change popular types of the dogs which they breed. The dog that wins in the show ring is quite naturally the "type of the day". Other breeders and owners become reconciled to this type by association. Had we been raised among tin cans we would not consider them trash. Spring styles may look freakish when first flashed upon us but anything else is old-fashioned by the advent of autumn."

- McDowell Lyon, The Dog in Action, 1950

The development of breeding on appearance alone worries me. Salukis bred solely for the purpose of being showdogs takes focus from the breeds true purpose and can, when breeding on extreme exteriors, also lead to health issues. Heavy as well as non-excisting fronts that corresponds to overly angulated hind quarters, connected via sloping backlines, is not my idea of a breed that is depending on the ability to swiftly galop. The "flashy" trot movements that is connected to theese physics may impress showjudges, but it is far from the energy saving, effortless trot that allows a dog to explode into galop. And if we do not breed for the main function anymore, will there really be any "real" Saluki left for the future?

"The study [of how dog anatomy and locomotion is connected] may not be worthwhile for the man satisfied to purchase show winners on their own and their agents´ judgement, or dogs bred from those winners. [...] This is based on the truism that one need not to be a textile expert to purchase the latest style suit displayed in popular stores. However, the man who is producing or buying dogs will do much better with a sound knowledge of what he is trying to secure; for him it is expedient to become academic."

- McDowell Lyon, The Dog in Action, 1950