Saluki Racing at the Falconry Festival Traditionally, they were used for hunting gazelles, hares, foxes and jackals, and today that tradition is mimicked in dog racing. They have been recorded to run as fast as 68 km/h, making them one of the world's fastest dogs on longer distances.
Is the Saluki the fastest dog?
While the Greyhound is credited as being the fastest dog breed up to distances of around 800 metres (2,600 ft), the Saluki is thought to be faster over longer distances. In 1996, The Guinness Book of Records listed a Saluki as being the fastest dog, capable of reaching a speed of 68.8 km/h (42.8 mph).
What is faster a Greyhound or a Saluki?
A feather-footed cousin of the Greyhound, the Saluki has been clocked at nearly 43 mph, a speed recorded in the 1996 edition of the Guinness Book of Records. It may be that over distances of more than half a mile, the Saluki is faster than the Greyhound.
What is the purpose of a Saluki?
These dogs were bred to chase prey over long and difficult ground, so they are not as fragile as they look. Salukis can run 30-35 miles per hour, and some breeders say Salukis can run almost 50 miles per hour, which explains why Arab tribesmen used them for hunting gazelle.
Do they race Salukis?
Practiced in the Arabian Peninsula for hundreds of years, Saluki dog racing continues today, with the dog's tremendous speed creating exciting entertainment. Races are held during heritage festivals and other sport and heritage club events.
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