Easy
Saluki
The Saluki is one of the world's oldest dog breeds, a sighthound from the Fertile Crescent used for coursing gazelle across desert terrain. They come in two coat varieties: smooth (with short, silky hair overall) and feathered (with silky feathering on the ears, legs, and tail). Both varieties are extremely low-maintenance, with the smooth variety requiring almost no professional grooming and the feathered variety needing brushing of its silky feathering.
Coat Type
Smooth Single Coat, or Feathered Silky Coat with Long Ear, Leg, and Tail Feathering
Groom Every
Every 8-10 weeks
Styles Available
3 cuts
Cuts & Styles
Grooming Styles
1
Smooth Standard Bath
A gentle bath with a moisturizing shampoo for fine-coated breeds, thorough drying, and chamois cloth polish. The complete care routine for the smooth Saluki variety.
2
Feathered Tidy
A full bath followed by careful brushing of the silky feathering on the ears, legs, and tail with a pin brush and conditioning spray. No trimming required — feathering is maintained at natural length.
3
Natural Sighthound Coat
Home maintenance with a rubber grooming mitt (smooth) or soft pin brush (feathered) used weekly. Nail check, ear inspection, and a wipe-down between professional appointments.
Expert Advice
Care Tips
- The Saluki's extremely sensitive, thin skin sunburns easily — particularly the silky feathering areas where skin is close to the surface. Apply pet-safe sunscreen to exposed, thinly-haired skin areas during prolonged outdoor activity.
- The feathered variety's ear feathering is long and silky, hanging close to the ear canal — check and clean the ears weekly and brush the ear feathering with a conditioning spray to prevent the fine hair from tangling at the base of the ear.
- The smooth Saluki requires almost no coat maintenance — a weekly wipe with a damp chamois cloth or rubber grooming mitt is sufficient between baths to maintain the characteristic glossy sheen.
- Salukis are lean-bodied with prominent bony prominences; inspect the hips, spine, and elbows at every grooming session for pressure calluses that develop on dogs resting on hard surfaces.
- Nails on a Saluki grow in a gentle curve and should be trimmed every 3-4 weeks; the long, elegant feet of the breed are affected by nail overgrowth more visibly than on stocky breeds, altering the graceful foot shape.
Recommended Tools
What you'll need
Miller's Forge Quality Nail Clipper
Nail CareUsed by professional groomers worldwide. Made of high-quality Italian stainless steel with a heavy-duty spring for clean, sharp cuts.
$10 - $15
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
BrushAn excellent entry-level brush that's easy to clean. Great for removing loose fur and detangling shorter coats.
$15 - $25
TropiClean PerfectFur Whitening & Brightening Shampoo
ShampooNaturally whitens and brightens white coats without bleach or harsh chemicals.
$12 - $18
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Deep Dives
Saluki Grooming Guides
Summer Grooming
Heat management, coat care, and seasonal tips.
Read guide
Winter Coat Care
Cold-weather protection and moisture balance.
Read guide
Shedding Season
Survive the seasonal blowout without losing your mind.
Read guide
Prevent Matting
Detangle, prevent, and protect their coat year-round.
Read guide
Best Brushes
The right tools for this specific coat type.
Read guide
Nail Trimming
Safe nail care frequency and technique.
Read guide
Ear Cleaning
Prevent infections with proper ear care.
Read guide
Bathing Guide
How often to bathe and which products to use.
Read guide
Grooming Cost
What professional grooming should cost for this breed.
Read guide
Hypoallergenic
Shedding, dander, and allergy-friendly coat care.
Read guide
First-Time Owner
Grooming basics for new owners of this breed.
Read guide
Skin & Allergies
Itchy skin, hot spots, and coat-sensitive care.
Read guide
Dental Care
Oral hygiene tied to coat and skin health.
Read guide
Flea & Tick
Parasite prevention without damaging the coat.
Read guide
Pro vs DIY
When to groom at home and when to hire a pro.
Read guide
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