Show time

Judging Salukis 

The few words of the Saluki standard describe a powerful endurance animal, an intelligent highly-bred independent hunter who is built and moves like no other hound. The Saluki should be moderate, never exaggerated, as the standard calls for the Saluki to be balanced and powerful. Saluki movement is light and effortless, sometimes described as having a "dance-like" quality.

The clean, dry aristocratic head is held atop a long, muscular neck which flows smoothly into the topline. The back is fairly broad and the loin muscles are strong with a slight rise, showing suppleness and galloping power. The croup is smooth and flowing and the tail is set on low, but the tail is carried in a gentle curve.

Although not specifically called for in the Saluki standard, Salukis generally measure square, or slightly "under-square" (taller than long). This statement is made from historical research and nearly 30 years of measuring Salukis. Although Salukis can appear slightly longer, this "trick of the eye" is because of their long heads and necks, and their somewhat sweeping rears. However, if the body proportions are actually measured from a point horizontal with the withers straight down to the ground, and from the point of shoulder to the point of buttocks, almost all Salukis measure square, or under. This method is the official AKC method of measuring dogs. The Saluki is not angular like its cousin, the Afghan Hound, but gracefully made and symmetrical, with a powerful rear and hocks low to the ground for the jumping and turning ability needed in a top coursing hound.

The head is that of a noble aristocrat and has the "look of eagles". When viewed from the side, the planes of the head are parallel, with a slight stop. When viewed from the front, the head forms a balanced, chiseled wedge, moderately wide at the backskull and tapering toward the muzzle.     

The ears are set high on the head and are very mobile. The Saluki should have strong jaws and tight, dry lips. The eyes are oval and bright, and should be hazel to dark brown in color, with a keen, intelligent expression. Ear feathering varies greatly in length, but regardless of length should be soft and silky to the touch.

The feathered Saluki also has feathering on the back of the legs and the underside of the tail, which is carried gracefully in a curve when moving. The amount of feathering is unimportant.

Saluki movement is light, effortless and totally balanced front to rear. The Saluki should be moderately angulated so the movement is powerful and collected. This is an endurance hunter and the movement should look like the dog could move for hours without tiring.

There should be no extreme angulations on either end, the standard stating: "The whole appearance of this breed should give an impression of grace and symmetry and of great speed and endurance coupled with strength and activity...."

The Smooth variety is judged the same with the exception of the coat, which has no feathering.

Materials are from: http://www.classicsaluki.com/

 It’s Showtime!

If your saluki is at least six months old, has a regular (not Limited) individual AKC registration, is neither neutered nor spayed, and (if male) has two normally descended testicles, you can compete with your dog in AKC conformation shows. You should first ask your dog’s breeder if he or she believes your dog is show quality. Salukis are easy to show and many people new to the show ring have beaten the old-timers with their salukis. A little preparation helps, though.
We are a fairly small group of exhibitors in Florida and we welcome newcomers to our ranks. If you come to a show please introduce yourself. Do not be shy about asking for handling, training, or grooming advice. We want you to stay!

Show Training
The salukis that trot confidently around the ring are the products of not only good genes and good luck, but also a lot of work. The judge has just a few minutes in which to evaluate each dog; a confident dog will make a much stronger impression than one that tries to hide his attributes. That’s why the handlers make sure their dogs are happy, but that’s easier said than done with most salukis. 
Salukis are not the typical happy go lucky show dog. They tend to be aloof with strangers and many are not motivated by food and don’t fall for toys. They may shrink from being touched by a stranger¾although they should not be shy. They may not jump for treats but should not be dragged around the ring. Judges should understand that many salukis find nothing of interest in the show ring; handlers should try to make the experience as pleasant as possible. Handling classes are a great place to acclimate you and your saluki to the show scene.
Your training time is better spent getting your dog to enjoy the experience rather than to stand like a statue and trot like a robot. Judges are more apt to forgive a moved foot or a leap of exuberance than they will an obviously sad or scared saluki. Make it fun!

Show Grooming
Your saluki will need to be groomed before the show. Grooming consists mostly of keeping the dog’s coat free of tangles and washing the dog before the show. Any good shampoo will do. You can use a crème rinse on the body coat but avoid putting it in the feathering, as it tends to make the feathering too limp. Blow-drying the feathering can add some body to it. Do not cut the whiskers or the long feathering between the toes, as you would in many breeds. If your dog has very long hair under its feet you can cut that to prevent slipping on the floors of indoor shows. You may or may not choose to remove fuzz from the sides of the thighs and shoulders, or under the neck. Most people use a stone for this. You may also choose to neaten up the belly and underline slightly. This doesn’t mean shaving them with a surgical blade; the saluki should look neat, but most of all, natural.  

Ring Procedure
Salukis in the ring are evaluated while standing and while trotting. During the exam the judge is looking for how well the dog conforms to the static descriptions in the standard. While trotting, the judge is looking at the how the dog uses its body.  From the side, the stride should be effortless and light; some disagreement exists among breeders as to the how much reach and drive should be displayed. Most salukis look best shown at an easy trot, but admittedly most are shown at a much faster pace than optimal. Judges also look at the movement directly from the front and rear. The legs should move in a straight line, converging toward the center but twisting neither in nor out. Practice moving in a perfectly straight line with your dog so he won’t be undulating across the ring. Most salukis show best on a loose lead. 

Typically, the dogs in each class will enter and pose while the judge checks looks them over. Then the entire class will trot around the ring once. After that the first dog in line is posed for the judge to inspect. Once the examination is finished, the judge will have the dog trot either directly away and back to him or her, or in a triangle. Then the procedure will be repeated until the last dog has been examined. After that all the dogs are posed again, and the judge may have them all trot around one more time. Finally the judge will place the dogs 1st (blue ribbon), 2nd (red ribbon), 3rd (yellow ribbon), and 4th (white ribbon).
Each class winner within a sex returns to compete in the Winners class for Winners Dog or Winners Bitch (purple ribbon) and points toward the championship title. Reserve Winners (purple and white ribbon), which is like first runner-up, is also awarded. 

Each time a judge chooses a dog as Winners, it wins up to 5 points, depending upon how many dogs it defeats. The required number of dogs to win a certain number of points varies according to the breed, sex, and region of the country.  To become an AKC Champion (Ch) a dog must win 15 points including two majors (defeating enough dogs to win 3 to 5 points at a time). 

Both the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch then compete with the champions for Best of Breed (purple and gold ribbon), and Best of Opposite Sex (red and white ribbon; this is the best dog of the sex opposite to whatever sex dog won Best of Breed). The saluki Best of Breed then competes in the Hound group against the other hound BOB winners. The judges chooses 1st to 4th place in each group, judging on how good a representative of its breed each dog is. The seven group winners then meet for the last showdown: Best in Show.  
At the end of the day, only the dog the judge points to for Best In Show can go home undefeated. But as long as a good time is shared by dog and handler, every dog can go home a winner.

D. Caroline Coile, PH.D.

www.floridasaluki.org

Show Ring

Dog showing is the most popular and established organized activity in which you can participate with your hound. Attending AKC conformation shows or match shows offers you an important opportunity to see other Salukis, chat with people who have Salukis, and increase your knowledge of the breed. In the dog world there is lots of new learning to share. Being part of the dog show scene also widens your circle of friends both human and doggie, and that's always a good thing!

The Saluki Specialty'a conformation show just for Salukis'is, as its name suggests, something special. In North America, the largest Saluki Specialty is the Saluki Club of America's national show held annually in Lexington, Kentucky. With a typical entry of over 400 Salukis, breed seminars and display booths, it's an event to put on your calendar. Regional Saluki Specialty shows are also held in Arizona, California, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Washington, along with two regional shows that change locations yearly. Other countries have their own Saluki Specialties, and many enthusiasts travel north to Canada or abroad to visit these events and view different lineages.

Showing your Saluki to its best advantage requires a certain amount of preparatory work. Fortunately, show handling classes sponsored by local dog clubs are available in most major centers around the country, providing an introduction to the basics of showing for both dog and handler. Your Saluki will learn how to behave in a line up of trotting dogs and to stand and accept being touched all over by a stranger. Classes will teach you showing techniques, offer new ways of looking at things and, at the more advanced levels, fine tune skills. Most successful Saluki owner-handlers still attend classes regularly with their dogs.

Regular practice at home and in your neighborhood will ensure that your show ring performance is up to standard on the big day. By treating show ring training as an enjoyable game, keeping the training lessons short and motivating, you and your Saluki will form a new kind of bond. You will also be laying the foundation for other activities, and many of the commands your Saluki will learn doing show ring exercises will transfer to day to day living. A perfect stand for examination always impresses the vet!

To earn an AKC Championship title, a Saluki must be awarded 15 points, including two major wins, and win under at least three separate judges. Taking Best of Breed allows your hound to compete at the next higher level, the Group. Placing first in the Group puts your Saluki among the other group winning dogs in the very small lineup vying for Best in Show. Many owner handled Salukis have achieved Group placements, some going on to make breed history by winning multiple Best in Shows. The pride of exhibiting your Saluki, well trained in ring etiquette and in gleaming health, to a blue ribbon is a special feeling indeed. With your friends at ringside, it is an afternoon well spent. 

Materials are from: http://www.salukiclub.org/

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