Saluki Cross rescue

[BonniePrincessBilly]

We're looking at adopting a rescue and my eyes have been drawn to a young male (one year) Saluki cross. I don't know the breed and ive never owned a sight hound and wondered if anyone can tell me about their experiences or what I need to consider

We both work from home, live in the countryside with a one and a half year old lab-spaniel cross who adores other dogs. No cats or kids to consider. Thanks

I love salukis - do you know what the cross is, or are they a standard lurcher with salukish bits? People often describe saluki types as stand offish, but this isn't true, its that they bond really strongly with one human in the household and everyone else gets the 'you are very nice but not My Person'. Even with their person its not the fawning attention you'll be used to with a lab/spaniel. Its a very quiet, leaning on you love that runs very deep.
Recall training can be very hard work as they don't give a toss about pleasing you by obeying commands, but you can reach an understanding by use of the right treats. But they can run at 30mph+ for a long time should they get sight of something and your reward isn't sufficient so it is crucial to work really hard on it and use a whistle so you have a chance of turning them at a distance.
My 13 yo ddog is saluki greyhound ish and the most wonderful dog, and I've fostered full salukis, collie x saluki (do not recommend, bless him he is a wonderful dog but its not a good combo), and lots of salukish lurchers and I love them, but I do see what some people find off putting about the more restrained love.

I have a saluki x. Probably crossed with collie/gsd or similar. Her traits are fairly typically saluki as far as I can tell.

She's very sociable with dogs. Especially adores ones that are biggish and up for a play, so labs are on that list. She's gentle with people. She can come across as aloof. People want to say hi to her a lot as she's pretty, and she'll let them, but won't make them feel like they're the best person in the world wagging like crazy. She's more interested in giving people a curious sniff. She's affectionate but it's a quieter affection than your average dog. Some people call them cat like (she's at her most 'doggy' when playing with other dogs). She has a very high prey drive for squirrels, rabbits, cats and foxes. She loves to run and it's truly a sight to behold—so joyful. She loves playing with toys and is food motivated. She's an independent thinker. She has recall, but only because I put a lot of effort into making coming back to me something she actively wants to do—it did not come naturally. She's very easy at home, likes to chill out a lot. She's not yappy. She doesn't pull on the lead.

Probably our biggest challenge is the prey drive, as I simply don't think it will ever be overcome, so I need to be aware of chase-triggers on walks. The recall was tough too, but we got there, providing there's no prey.

Thanks so much, both. Your dogs sounds lovely. Its the recall that I need to really think about. I'm used to running my lab/spaniel pup in resting farmland where she gets to go nuts- but her recall is excellent. We do have an enclosed dog park nearby too for more contained running.

I'm not sure what this rescue saluki is mixed with. Although I hear you about collie mixes! We had a collie cross rescue for ten years. (Cross mostly with men and possibly with a cattle dog of some kind). I did a lot of work with her trauma triggers and she was the most loyal dog with me but, it was a lot of work in those early years.

Our current pup is an utter delight but she needs company and we'd put in the work for the right rescue.

The only thing I'd say is speak to the rescue as quite often sighthounds with high prey drives come with lead restrictions meaning you agree to not let them off lead in public areas. This was the case when I was looking with the RSPCA/SSPCA and Dogs Trust. I ruled out sighthounds purely because of this - I know they love to run and my back garden is not big enough to be the only place they can run free. This might not be the case for your dog or your rehoming centre, but is something to check.

I've got a Pod and "quiet affection" is such a lovely way to describe it

This was my beautiful boy on his favourite chair. He was a saluki cross lurcher. Ran like the wind for precisely 3 minutes then trotted home for a few hours of snoozing twice a day. Used to climb under the duvet from the bottom of the bed to sleep between me and DH. I miss him.

We have a saluki /deerhound cross... She can walk through a field of sheep and cares not one jot. Ignores completely.. We have 2 dcats. She is scared of 1 of them. Her recall is perfect.. She is a bloody food thief.

Pic for tax purposes..
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Thanks @noctilucentcloud - these are the things we need to consider. We'll speak to the rescue centre and see what they say.

Also: loving the pics and personal stories. Thank you. 😍

If the dog has only just turned one he might give you a shock as that can be the worst stage for recall, esp for dogs who are wired to be independent. But I do think, depending on the cross maybe, that it should be possible to teach.

I'd be honest with the rescue. They should have an idea of his willingness to learn, his independence, how strongly he bonds, whether he likes to stay close, if he's food motivated etc

Photo tax, in her winter coat that's she's just shed absolutely everywhere (maybe not an issue with most saluki xs)

We have an 18 month old saluki greyhound mix. He's the first dog I've owned as an adult so I don't have much to compare with but he is lovely, affectionate in his own way, and has okayish recall, especially if he is running around with his friends in the park - they all stick together. He seems to love me and DH equally in different ways, DH is for wrestling, I am for cuddles when he feels sad.
Dog tax below.