A lot of people do not know this, but most dog historians credit the Egyptians as the first people to domesticate dogs. They boast of some of the oldest dog breeds in the world. In fact, there is a tomb that dates back to 3500 BC that depicts a man walking a dog on a leash.
Many of these ancient dogs have evolved into the Egyptian dog breeds we have on Earth today. Although there are some modern-day breeds that may not be originally from Egypt, they still have strong physical similarities to the ancient breeds from that region.
One of such ancient breeds is the Saluki. If there are any dog breeds older than this, then you can count them on one hand, as they are very few.
They have a long-standing history; one that goes back to over 5,000 years. There are many Saluki-resembling dogs that can be found inscribed on many Egyptian tombstones. Many of those tombstones are still around until this day, so you could go take a look for yourself.
The Saluki breed has a slender but authoritative look, and it is very athletic by nature. They are also very good hunters and they were held in high regard by people of prominence, the ancient Egyptian Pharaohs being among their biggest lovers.
Alexander the great, who is one of the most popular historical figures also held this breed in high regard, as he was known to keep them at his side.
This breed became so renowned, that it was exported to several countries in the Middle East and Asia.
Similar to other sighthounds, the Saluki is a very fast runner and it has a high prey drive. If you have other small furry pets in your home, then keeping the Saluki would be a bad idea, as they are fond of picking on them.
If they get enough outdoor exercise, then they will be much more inactive and calm around the house. If not, they will be in search of activities to keep them busy. Ripping up your sofa and chasing smaller pets are among their favorites.
These dogs can live independently and are not so much of the cuddly type. But if the owner is gone for too long, they may develop separation anxiety.
They aren’t the easiest dogs to train, so you have to exercise them with some patience.