IT'S SHOW TIME!
This slim-framed, sleek, and intelligent gazelle-hunter makes a loyal and courageous family companion
HUNTING FOR PLEASURE!
From the dawn of their relationship, dogs and humans have worked and played together successfully. Most dogs are natural enthusiasts for chasing and running, and people the world over learned early on how to exploit these inclinations for hunting and sports.
Primitive people used dogs to help them catch game for food, but with the rise of civilizations, hunting with dogs developed into a sport as well, although usually only for the wealthier members of society. As paintings dating back nearly 3000 years depict, the Ancient Egyptians hunted with dogs very similar to some of today's big eared sight hounds.
By medieval times in Europe, hunting with dogs of various types was the passion of Kings and landowning nobility. Swift running hounds, resembling greyhounds and harriers, were sent after smaller game; but dangerous quarry such as bear and wild boar required larger hounds.
Today, hunting of live game with hounds is illegal in some countries, but the excitement of chase lives on in drag-hunting, in which the pack follows a trail of artificial scent.
SALUKI RACING FOR FUN
Saluki racing really is only for the dedicated with intensive training involved and the cost of professionally run racing kennels
Dog racing has been a popular means of entertainment for centuries. Several breeds, including Salukis, race as they chase an artificial lure around a track until they cross the finish line.
Racing has its origins in hunting and coursing way back before the Christian Era. Saluki-type dogs have been with man for centuries, and certainly existed at the time of the Ancient Egyptian pharaohs. They were bred for speed. Early races would simply have involved seeing which dog was first to catch the prey (which was then destined for the pot).
The races subsequently developed into competitions.
Classic Saluki racing in UAE is a specialist sport, although amateurs can get involved and can be very successful. Training is highly intensive and not normally undertaken at home. Even though privately owned, most Salukis are kept in racing kennels where they will be trained to get them physically fit to race. Other breeds also race, although not in such a commercial fashion.
COURSING
People have come up with many ways of using dogs in sport, among which trials of speed have been the most enduring. Racing has its origins in hunting and coursing way back before the Christian Era. The difference between coursing and racing is that it requires more than simply speed. Historically, the fastest of dogs was of little practical value if he could not control his speed enough to turn after a hare, or could only sustain his speed for a short distance. The dogs are scored on speed, enthusiasm, agility, endurance, as well as some other attributes depending upon whether it is open field coursing or lure coursing.
Open Field Coursing
The sport of coursing, in which competing pairs of fast sighthound such as Saluki are sent in pursuit of hares, was popular for nearly 2000 years before being made illegal in most European countries. Today you can still find this sport allowed in some countries.
Well exercised, strongly built, muscular, healthy and tough dogs are required for open field coursing. Such event entails some dangers and usually ends in the break down and death of the quarry. For people who do not agree with such aspects, the sport of lure coursing provides an alternative.
Lure Coursing
Lure coursing is a similar course only with an artificial lure. Usually a toy rabbit is attached to the rally and moves at high speed around the course. Another artificial lure found mostly in European countries are white plastic garbage bag or plastic stripes that is dragged around a system of pullers. Dogs chase in pairs, and are scored on their speed, agility, endurance and enthusiasm.
On the coursing or racing events, your Saluki will wear a lightweight coursing "shirt" while competing; you can get one at the trial. Some dogs have muzzles on them, not because they bite, but for the reason that they catch the lure at the end of the race and simply won't let go!
Lure Coursing
CONFORMATION
Showing your Saluki can be an absorbing and even addictive hobby. Competitive people who like a difficult challenge find the ever present possibility of exhibiting and winning with a really great dog is both exciting and stimulating to the extent of changing their lifestyle. Confirmation shows evaluate your Saluki according to the official breed standard . A judge examines each dog from the tip if its nose to the tip of its tail, feeling it's body structure, making sure it has no defects, studying its way of moving, and looking at the total picture it creates so there must be symmetry and balance. I am sure that if you got a show quality Saluki you will want to show her. Before you get involved in show ring or any recognized activities, your priority must be to ensure that your Saluki is properly registered with Kynological Federation of Emirates and has been transfered into yours/owners name. All professional dog shows in United Arab Emirates are held under the KFE rules and regulations and if the dog is not registered, entries to the show will not be accepted.
Salukis are easy breed to show. There is no special grooming required however even the best dog needs a little work before showing off. At the same time as learning yourself, your dog has to learn her role. She needs to learn to be handled by strangers as the judge will pass his hands over the dogs entire body, and most difficult, she will have to tolerate having her mouth opened and her teeth looked at. Practice posing your Saluki with all four feet pointing forward, legs parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground, and head held high. With the time, she will succeed walking and trotting at the corrects speed and style. Will also be at ease with all the bustle and noise of a big show. You are welcome to join our handling classes and participate in matches. Matches are informal events where everybody learns: puppies, handlers, even the judges.
AGILITY
Salukis have bin winners at agility contests, where dog and trainer compete against the clock as they proceed through a canine obstacle course. At the trainer's command, the dog navigates through jumps, ramps, and hurdles; runs through a tunnel; crosses a seesaw; and finally weaves through a line of poles. Scoring is based on time and fault deductions.
The fun is not only for handler and dog, but also for spectators who get to see some of the greatest trained dogs in the world compete for the fun of it all. Agility is open to any dog purebred or not but who loves a challenge and a good romp.
OBIDIENCE
The Saluki is an avid learner and with patience can be trained for competition in obedience trials. Trials are often held in conjunction with conformation dig shows, but many are held individually. The goal of obedience competition is prove the dog's steadiness and good manners as it works with its owner. Novice competition begins with such excesses as walking properly on leash, sitting, and lying down on command. The requirements increase in Open competition and reach advanced levels in Utility competition, where the dog will be required to follow vocal and hand signals, jump obstacles, and recover an item touched by the owner (among other exercises)
Salukis are not seen in the obedience ring in as high numbers as several other breeds, such as Golden Retrievers.