AKC Gazette Articles

August 2003

Breed Comparison

In February 2003, SCOA participated in a comparison of the Saluki and Afghan Hound. At the request of SCOA members, following is a brief portion of the Saluki part of this presentation:

One point to remember when comparing Salukis to Afghan Hounds is that the Saluki standard (and breed history) is inclusive, allowing for a wide variety of colors, coat patterns, and countries of origin; the Afghan Hound standard is exclusive, specifying coat pattern, gait, tail carriage, and country of origin. This contributes to the confusion experienced by some when comparing these breeds.

Salukis have one of the worst standards in existence. How many times have you heard or even thought this? Certainly, the Saluki standard is open to misinterpretation, but the same can be said about many other standards. I am not saying the Saluki standard can be interpreted in many different ways, allowing for an "anything goes" style of judging. If you read the standard AS A WHOLE, you will find it perfectly describes the Saluki as it existed in the early 20th century, and as we hope it will continue to exist for as many millennia in the future as it has in the past.

Let’s start as the Saluki standard starts, with the head. Instead of going over the whole standard, which I'm sure most of you know already, we'll look at a few sections.

The standard says the head is long and narrow. BUT this "long, narrow" head is also moderately wide between the ears. What does this mean? Saluki heads that are only long and narrow are incorrect. Down faced, weak jawed, heads are incorrect. You could encounter a Saluki head wider between the ears than seen in the past; if accompanied by overall length and balance, the head will still be correct. Squinty eyes are incorrect, as are round or bulging eyes, and a look of sheer terror is definitely not deep, faithful, or far seeing.

Looking at the most important part of the Saluki standard, the "General Appearance" This section starts with "An impression of Grace and Symmetry. . ." Some judges and breeders seem to stop there, with the belief that a Saluki need only be graceful to be correct. If you couple that with "Head long and narrow," you might get the impression that a correct Saluki is a lovely piece of porcelain, elegant and refined.

But, read on. ". . .and of Great Speed and Endurance coupled with Strength and Activity to enable it to kill gazelle or other quarry over deep sand or rocky mountains." What does this tell us? Salukis that are bones held together with hair are not correct. Salukis that could masquerade as Ridgeless Rhodesians are also not correct. Salukis of strength coupled with grace and symmetry are correct.

The Saluki Standard does not address movement, you say? Look again in General Appearance. ". . .coupled with strength and activity . . ." What does this say about Saluki movement? Salukis in their native land, doing what they were bred to do, are not evaluated at a trot. We cannot import a tribal landscape into an Armory in Akron, Ohio, nor can most of us run with our dogs, so we must do the best we can.

Let’s talk about "reconnaissance gait." According to those who espouse this as the ultimate movement for Salukis, one releases their hound to hunt, which floats across the level ground at an extended trot, head high, "searching for game."

If you really want to catch something when hunting, which was the original purpose of the Saluki - remember, Saluki history predates rifles - it won't do you much good to have your Saluki "hunting" to the east when the rabbits spring up to the west. Your Saluki will be at your side until released to hunt.

This long, level, large stride is only good on level ground. What about the rest of the terrain - the "deep sand or rocky mountains?" In rougher terrain, the stride shortens, and often lifts. Hind legs come under the body, and forelegs do not extend any further than necessary.

Many other "mysteries" of judging Salukis are easily solved when one remembers the Saluki is a hunting hound of great beauty, not merely a pretty dog that might be able to run

Monica Henderson Stoner
All rights reserved by the author.