Saluki Grooming

Saluki dogs have short, silky coats that are pretty simple to maintain. Some Salukis have a bit of feathering on the legs, tail, and shoulders--and these might require a bit of extra attention, such as combing them to avoid tangles. Otherwise, though, overall Saluki grooming isn't difficult at all.

See the Coat Care section below for plenty of details on brushing and bathing.

In addition to its coat, a Saluki will need regular care in other areas. Brush the dog's teeth 2-3 times per week with a regular toothbrush to minimize plaque, tartar, and bad breath; clean the dog's ears monthly with canine ear cleaning solution (available at pet stores or online); and if your Saluki's nails click on hard surfaces, they need a trim--which you can do with standard nail clippers.

Overall Saluki grooming doesn't take a lot of effort--and likewise, maintaining these dogs' coats (both the smooth and feathered varieties) isn't very time-consuming.

Brushing a Saluki will only need to happen once or twice per week. These dogs don't shed much, so constant brushing to collect dead hairs isn't required. To brush your Saluki: first wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle, then use a bristle brush or grooming glove to go through the coat section by section, brushing in the direction of hair growth. If your Saluki has featherings, you can use a greyhound comb to smooth them out and work out any tangles you might find.

Saluki baths are rarely necessary. Dogs of this breed are known for keeping themselves pretty clean, so you'll only need to bathe your Saluki if the dog gets especially dirty or stinky; most owners just give their dogs a wipe-down with a damp cloth every few weeks. If you do plan on bathing a Saluki, though, be sure to use canine shampoo, as the kind made for humans has a different pH and will irritate the dog's skin.

And Saluki coats are simply too short to sport any hairstyles other than their natural ones--so no haircuts are required.

Though it's easy for owners to learn how to perform all aspects of Saluki grooming themselves, it's a good idea to take the dog to a professional groomer at least once. The groomer can give the dog a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom a Saluki at home.