Animal Talk with Pecker: The Saluki (Domesticated Edition)

We here at Animal Talk have scoured the globe to bring you the dopest animals in the game. So why would we come here to pimp a domesticated animal? Because it just so happens that this domesticated animal is wild af. Meet the Saluki.




This speedster originated in the Islamic-Arab world, so you already know it’s savage (and possibly unfit for the Western world – but that’s for another time). The Saluki is a sighthound with the distinctive features of sighthound breeds, such as a deep chest, long legs, and a slim, muscular physique. The largest examples of the breed reach about 28-30 inches at the shoulders and weigh 60 pounds. The Saluki coat comes in two varieties: smooth and feathered. Whether smooth or feathered, the Saluki is silky smooth. Silky smooth to the touch and silky smooth on the track. The appearance of the Saluki has been described as one of grace and symmetry.




The greyhound, with its powerful acceleration, is considered the fastest dog breed up to distances of 800 meters. The Saluki can not only reach similar speeds as a greyhound, it can maintain those speeds for incredible distances, gliding effortlessly at near-top speed for over 5 miles. It is considered one of the fastest land animals in the world past 800 meters. It was also listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest dog, reaching a speed of 42.8 mph.




The Saluki originated in the Fertile Crescent and has been found depicted on pottery dating back nearly 6000 years. They are also depicted on Egyptian tombs from the Middle Kingdom (2134 BC – 1785 BC). The Saluki is a working, hunting dog and was bred to hunt gazelle, hare, fox and jackal. Nomadic tribes would hunt with Salukis in a variety of ways, sometimes throwing the dogs off the back of a camel while running at full speed, and sometimes using hawks in tandem to gouge out the eyes of gazelle while the Salukis gave chase. If you think that sounds like some savage, amazing, gangster arse stuff, that’s because it is.




These ancient pooches have only become faster and more lit as breeding practices have improved. Through the 1900’s to present day, the top dogs of this breed have been seen as status symbols in the Arab world, with yearly races being held in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. They are also popular coursing dogs. Where quarry (commonly gazelle and springbok) is released in the open desert, and a pack of Salukis is turned loose to pursue the quarry for miles at a time, reverting to their natural, turnt up instincts.






In a world where certain segments of our population value pitbulls as an exemplar of man's best friend, let us never overlook the swift, beautiful, elegant, and deadly Saluki. Gather your friends and family and tell them what you've seen here. And never forget where you were when you discovered the dopeness of this breed.

Join me in celebrating the Saluki.