This graceful, dignified dog always been a much-prized possession of the Arabs. His highly developed hunting instinct and the speed with which he moves over all types of terrain suit him well for work in the Middle East, where sheikhs have carefully kept records of his breeding and hunting abilities for hundreds of years.

Although this is a very old breed, it was not seen in Britain until 1840 and was not officially recognised until 1923. Two possibilities for the origin of the name are that it was taken from the long-gone Arabian city of Saluk or from the town of Seleukia in ancient Syria.

The Saluki is not really the ideal pet for the average family – he can be naughty in the house if left alone and he very easily becomes bored. He is highly strung, very sensitive, very intelligent and extremely affectionate to those he loves.