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Saluki Gazelle Hound Database and Breed Information ExchangeUK SALUKI (GAZELLE HOUND) BREED STANDARD The current UK Saluki Breed Standard. If you wish to view a photo of the Saluki showing the points of the breed standard click here
SALUKI (GAZELLE HOUND)
General Appearance Gives impression of grace, symmetry and of great speed and endurance, coupled with strength and activity. Expression dignified and gentle with faithful, far-seeing eyes.
Characteristics Of great quality with unique shaped foot necessary for hunting natural terrain.
Temperament Reserved with strangers but not nervous or aggressive. Dignified, intelligent and independent.
Head and Skull Head long and narrow, skull moderately wide between ears, not domed, stop not pronounced, whole showing great quality. Nose black or liver.
Eyes Dark to hazel, bright, large and oval, not prominent.
Ears Long and mobile, not too low set, covered with long silky hair, hanging close to skull. Bottom tip of leather reaches to corner of mouth when brought forward. Provided ear is covered with silky hair which may grow only from top half, the standard is complied with but longer hair also correct.
Mouth Teeth and jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck Long, supple and well muscled.
Forequarters Shoulders sloping and set well back, well muscled without being coarse. Chest deep and moderately narrow, when viewed from front not an inverted V. Forelegs straight and long from elbow to wrist. Pasterns strong and slightly sloping. Not round boned. Humerus sloping slightly backwards.
Body Back fairly broad, muscles slightly arched over loin, but never roached backed. Brisket long and deep, not barrel-ribbed or slab-sided, with good cut up. Sufficient length of loin important.
Hindquarters Strong hip bones set wide apart. Stifle moderately bent with well developed first and second thigh. Hocks low to ground.
Feet Strong and supple of moderate length, toes slightly webbed, long and well arched, two inner toes considerably longer than two outer toes on all four feet. Not splayed out or cat footed and feathered between toes. Front feet point forward at very slight angle when standing.
Tail Set on low from long and gently sloping pelvis. Carried naturally in curve. Well feathered on underside but not bushy. In adults not carried above line of back except in play. Tip reaching to hock.
Gait/Movement Light, lifting, effortless, showing both reach and drive, body lifting off ground with long, flat strides, not flinging itself forward. No hackney action or plodding.
Coat Smooth, of silky texture, feathering on legs and back of thighs and between hock and heel. Puppies may have slight woolly feathering on thigh and shoulder. Feathering on throat permissible but not desirable. Smooth variety as above but without feathering.
Colour White, cream, fawn, golden red, grizzle, silver grizzle, deer grizzle, tri- colour (white, black and tan), black and tan and variations of these colours, i.e. black fringed fawn, black fringed red not brindle.
Size dogs: 58.4-71.1 cms (23-28 ins) at shoulders; bitches: proportionately 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.
Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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