Saluki vs Afghan

Salukis Are Not Naked Afghan Hounds

Two top winners of their day: The Afghan Ch Tryst of Grandeur and Saluki Ch Sundown Alabaster Treasure. Treasure held the Saluki BIS record for many years, and won the group at Westminster.

While the Saluki and Afghan Hound are doubtless close relatives and share many similarities, there are more differences between them that just coat.

Some of the most obvious can be seen in this picture. The Afghan Hound is generally larger, with a straighter topline, more prominent hip bones and distinct tail.

Size: Actually, the Afghan Hound standard puts it toward the top of the saluki standard: Afghan: "Height: Dogs, 27 inches, plus or minus one inch; bitches, 25 inches, plus or minus one inch. Weight: Dogs, about 60 pounds; bitches, about 50 pounds." Saluki: "Dogs should average in height from 23 to 28 inches; bitches may be considerably smaller." In practice most Afghans in the group ring are larger than the Salukis there.

Topline: Again the Afghan standard could accommodate the Saluki requirements but in practice it is far more level. Afghan: "The back line appearing practically level from the shoulders to the loin. Strong and powerful loin and slightly arched, falling away toward the stern, with the hipbones very pronounced; well ribbed and tucked up in flanks." Saluki: "...muscles slightly arched over loin."

Overall, the Saluki is curvier whereas the Afghan is more angular.

Below are some naked Afghan Hounds for comparison. In general the Afghan has a larger head for its body, longer second thigh, and more shallow chest compared to the Saluki.

The head is also very different. The Afghan head tends to be longer, with a greater inclination toward a Roman nose and downface, slightly less stop, and much more depth below the eye and of lower jaw. The Saluki head is more moderate, with equal muzzle to backskull length, parallel planes, and far less depth or inclination to be Roman nosed. A good Afghan head would be a terrible Saluki head!

From the Afghan Hound standard: "The head is of good length, showing much refinement, the skull evenly balanced with the foreface. There is a slight prominence of the nasal bone structure causing a slightly Roman appearance, the center line running up over the foreface with little or no stop, falling away in front of the eyes so there is an absolutely clear outlook with no interference; the underjaw showing great strength, the jaws long and punishing.... The occipital bone is very prominent..."

Sighthound authority Bo Bengtson says: "Both breeds’ heads are long, showing 'much refinement' (Afghan) and 'great quality' (Saluki), which does not mean the heads should be too narrow, but rather that there should be chiseling and veining, with no loose skin. The Afghan head should be evenly balanced with the foreface, while the Saluki standard rather oddly describes the head as 'long and narrow, skull moderately wide between the ears,' which to me sounds contradictory. I would certainly not like to see a Saluki with a skull that’s more narrow than that of an Afghan Hound. Neither breed should have a pronounced stop; the Afghan’s nose is black, the Saluki’s black or liver. The Afghan should have a level bite (with scissors bite not penalized), while there is no reference to the Saluki’s bite, except that the teeth should be 'strong and level.'"

The Saluki has a high ear set; the Afghan Hound standard specifies the ears should be set on level with the outer corners of the eyes, which is much lower than the Saluki ear set.

The Saluki has a large oval eye; the Afghan Hound has a smaller almond (almost triangular) shaped eye.

The Saluki has a moderately sized and shaped foot, somewhat more hare-footed than the Afghan; The Afghan has a large foot both in length and width, and must have thick pads.

The Saluki's tail is set on low; the Afghan's tail is set "not to high"---the carriage differs markedly as the Afghan standard says the tail should be carried gaily. The Saluki standard does not specify carriage but a tail carried like an Afghan would be too high in my opinion.

Temperament is very different. The Afghan is a much busier, livelier dog, and this extends to the show ring where they tend to be much showier. The Afghan tends to fall back on heavy drama when things don't go its way. The Saluki resorts to pouting and shutting down.

Shaved Afghan

Shorthaired Afghan. In both Salukis and Afghans, smooth coat is caused by a dominant gene, and occasionally a mutation occurs resulting in a shorthaired Afghan or smooth Saluki from longhaired/feathered parents.

Saluki vs Afghan Hound: Comparing the Standards

While the Saluki and Afghan Hound are doubtless close relatives and share many similarities, there are more differences between them that just coat. The Afghan Hound is generally larger, with a straighter topline, more prominent hip bones and distinct tail. The saluki is curvier, with softer angles and overall a more moderate look, even in the head. The Saluki has high set mobile ears compared to the Afghan’s low set stationary longer ears. The Saluki has a larger more oval eye.

In the following point by point comparison, material from the AKC standards is in quotes. Other material is opinion.
General Appearance: Both breeds are hunting dogs, with the athletic ability to run down and overcome their prey. The Afghan Hound is more of a leaper, while the Saluki is more of a long-distance galloper. The Afghan standard lists six “striking characteristics:” Exotic or eastern expression, long silky topknot, peculiar coat pattern, very prominent hipbones, large feet, impression of a somewhat exaggerated bend in the stifle due to profuse trouserings. The Saluki standard doesn’t list specific traits, but says: Impression of grace and symmetry, great speed and endurance, strength and activity, to enable it to kill gazelle or other quarry over deep sand or rocky mountains; dignified gentle expression.

Afghan: “The Afghan Hound is an aristocrat, his whole appearance one of dignity and aloofness with no trace of plainness or coarseness. He has a straight front, proudly carried head, eyes gazing into the distance as if in memory of ages past. The striking characteristics of the breed-exotic, or "Eastern," expression, long silky topknot, peculiar coat pattern, very prominent hipbones, large feet, and the impression of a somewhat exaggerated bend in the stifle due to profuse trouserings-stand out clearly, giving the Afghan Hound the appearance of what he is, a king of dogs, that has held true to tradition throughout the ages.”
Saluki: “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 to enable it to kill gazelle or other quarry over deep sand or rocky mountains. The expression should be dignified and gentle with deep, faithful, far-seeing eyes...”

Size: The Afghan Hound standard puts it toward the top of the Saluki standard

Afghan: "Height: Dogs, 27 inches, plus or minus one inch; bitches, 25 inches, plus or minus one inch. Weight: Dogs, about 60 pounds; bitches, about 50 pounds."
Saluki: "Dogs should average in height from 23 to 28 inches; bitches may be considerably smaller." No weight is mentioned, but in general Salukis range from about 50 to 65 pounds for males, and 35 to 50 pounds for females.

Proportions: Both breeds are square, although in practice the Saluki may tend to be a little longer than tall. Neither should ever be long and low. The length from ground to chest should be greater than the distance from chest to withers.

Afghan: “The height at the shoulders equals the distance from the chest to the buttocks.”
Saluki: <no mention>

Topline: The Afghan standard could accommodate the Saluki requirements but in practice it is far more level compared to the subtle arch the Saluki has over the loin. The Afghan topline is more angular due to the prominent hip bones. Either breed may have a hint of vertebra showing, but preferably no more.

Afghan: "The back line appearing practically level from the shoulders to the loin. Strong and powerful loin and slightly arched, falling away toward the stern, with the hipbones very pronounced; well ribbed and tucked up in flanks."
Saluki: "...muscles slightly arched over loin."

Neck: Both have long necks. The Afghan’s may be somewhat longer.

Afghan: “The neck is of good length, strong and arched, running in a curve to the shoulders which are long and sloping and well laid back.”
Saluki: “Long, supple and well muscled.”

Chest: Both breeds should have deep chests reaching to, or almost to elbow, but never below it. Overly deep, broad or heavy chests do not lend themselves to the double-suspension gallop nor to jumping ability. Neither breed should have a prominent forechest.

Afghan: “Brisket well let down, and of medium width… Faults: too much width of brisket, causing interference with elbows.”
Saluki: “Deep and moderately narrow.”

Tuck-Up: A well- tucked up abdomen is essential for a good double-suspension galloper. It’s obviously harder to see in an Afghan but it should still be there. Note that not breeds should have a fairly long loin, essential to the double-suspension gallop and to jumping ability.

Afghan: “well-ribbed and tucked-up in flanks.”
Saluki: <no mention>

Tail: The tails are very different, with the Saluki tail longer, more heavily feathered, and with a more subtle curve. The Afghan tail is generally held high when moving, whereas the Saluki tail is often penalized for high carriage. In both a low tail set is important.

Afghan: “Tail set not too high on the body, having a ring, or a curve on the end; should never be curled over, or rest on the back, or be carried sideways; and should never be bushy.”
Saluki: “Long, set on low and carried naturally in a curve, well feathered on the underside with long silky hair, not bushy.”

Head: The Afghan head tends to be longer, with a greater inclination toward a Roman nose, slightly less stop, and much more depth below the eye and of lower jaw. The Saluki head is more moderate, with equal muzzle to backskull length, wider backskull, parallel planes, less prominent occiput, and far less depth or inclination to be Roman nosed. The Saluki may or may not have a prominent occiput. A good Afghan head is a bad Saluki head!

Afghan: "The head is of good length, showing much refinement, the skull evenly balanced with the foreface. There is a slight prominence of the nasal bone structure causing a slightly Roman appearance, the center line running up over the foreface with little or no stop, falling away in front of the eyes so there is an absolutely clear outlook with no interference; the underjaw showing great strength, the jaws long and punishing.... The occipital bone is very prominent..."

Saluki: “Long and narrow, skull moderately wide between the ears, not domed, stop not pronounced, the whole showing great quality.”

Ears: The Saluki has a high ear set, generally the higher the better. The Afghan Hound standard specifies the ears should be set on level with the outer corners of the eyes, which is much lower than the Saluki ear set. The Saluki’s ears are mobile; the Afghan’s are not. The Saluki’s ear leather is much shorter than the Afghan’s reaching only to the corner of its mouth. The requirement that it lie close to the head is to penalize ears that tend to rose.

Afghan: “The ears are long, set approximately on level with outer corners of the eyes, the leather of the ear reaching nearly to the end of the dog's nose, and covered with long silky hair.”
Saluki: “Long and covered with long silky hair hanging close to the skull and mobile.”

Eyes: The Saluki has a large oval eye; the Afghan Hound has a smaller almond (almost triangular) shaped eye. The Saluki eye can be lighter; although the allowance for hazel eyes is to accommodate chocolate dogs.

Afghan: “The eyes are almond-shaped (almost triangular), never full or bulgy, and are dark in color.”
Saluki: “Dark to hazel and bright; large and oval, but not prominent.”

Nose: The Saluki nose can be liver (not pink!) in chocolate salukis (and these can include chocolates as well as liver-factored reds and creams).

Afghan: “Nose is of good size, black in color.”
Saluki: “Nose black or liver.”

Teeth: In practice the teeth are similar. The Saluki standard is confusing but level means the teeth, not bite, are level and even, neither crooked nor wry. The Afghan standard allows both level and scissors bites.

Afghan: “The mouth level, meaning that the teeth from the upper jaw and lower jaw match evenly, neither overshot nor undershot. This is a difficult mouth to breed. A scissors bite is even more punishing and can be more easily bred into a dog than a level mouth, and a dog having a scissors bite, where the lower teeth slip inside and rest against the teeth of the upper jaw, should not be penalized.”
Saluki: “Teeth Strong and level.”

Forequarters: Front construction should be similar in both breeds. Both should have sloping shoulders with enough angulation to set the leg under the front, rather than have it as a column front. The withers should not be in the neck, nor should the entire assembly be rotated to place the elbows farther back. Note that front angulation of top runners is generally straighter than that seen in trotting breeds.

Afghan: “Forelegs are straight and strong with great length between elbow and pastern; elbows well held in; …pasterns long and straight; pads of feet unusually large and well down on the ground. Shoulders have plenty of angulation so that the legs are well set underneath the dog. Too much straightness of shoulder causes the dog to break down in the pasterns, and this is a serious fault.”

Saluki: “Shoulders sloping and set well back, well muscled without being coarse. Forelegs straight and long from the elbow to the knee.”

Hindquarters: The Saluki standard calls for a more moderate bend of stifle, but be aware that the Afghan’s bend is exaggerated in appearance due to its coat. Unlike the Saluki, the Afghan rear should be slightly bowed from hock to crotch as seen from the rear.

Afghan: “Hindquarters powerful and well muscled, with great length between hip and hock; slightly bowed from hock to crotch.”
Saluki: “Strong, hipbones set well apart and stifle moderately bent, hocks low to the ground, showing galloping and jumping power.”

Feet: The Saluki has a moderately sized and shaped foot, somewhat more hare-footed than the Afghan; The Afghan has a large foot both in length and width, and must have thick pads.

Afghan: “Forefeet large in both length and width; toes well arched; feet covered with long thick hair; fine in texture; pasterns long and straight; pads of feet unusually large and well down on the ground… The hind feet are broad and of good length; the toes arched, and covered with long thick hair.”
Saluki: “Of moderate length, toes long and well arched, not splayed out, but at the same time not cat-footed; the whole being strong and supple and well feathered between the toes.”

Coat: Although it’s the most obvious difference, it’s far from the only one. Note that many spayed/neutered Salukis grow long coats along the same pattern as Afghan Hounds.

Afghan: “Hindquarters, flanks, ribs, forequarters, and legs well covered with thick, silky hair, very fine in texture; ears and all four feet well feathered; from in front of the shoulders; and also backwards from the shoulders along the saddle from the flanks and the ribs upwards, the hair is short and close, forming a smooth back in mature dogs - this is a traditional characteristic of the Afghan Hound. The Afghan Hound should be shown in its natural state; the coat is not clipped or trimmed; the head is surmounted (in the full sense of the word) with a topknot of long, silky hair - that is also an outstanding characteristic of the Afghan Hound. Showing of short hair on cuffs on either front or back legs is permissible...”
Saluki: “Smooth and of a soft silky texture, slight feather on the legs, feather at the back of the thighs and sometimes with slight woolly feather on the thigh and shoulder.”

Color: Many colors overlap. However, chocolate and particolor are found in the saluki but not Afghan. Brindles are found in some Salukis, but the pattern is highly controversial. Dominant black and gray are common in Afghans but not Salukis. Black masks are common in Afghans but rare in Salukis. Grizzle in Salukis is the same as Domino in Afghans.

Afghan: “All colors are permissible, but color or color combinations are pleasing; white markings, especially on the head, are undesirable.”
Saluki: “White, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle and tan, tricolor (white, black and tan) and black and tan.”

Gait: The Afghan has more of everything: More side movement, more lift. The Saluki also has lift, but not to the extent the Afghan does. Neither breed should have low daisy-clipping movement, nor hunker down closer to the ground when it moves.

Afghan: “When on a loose lead, the Afghan can trot at a fast pace; stepping along, he has the appearance of placing the hind feet directly in the foot prints of the front feet, both thrown straight ahead. Moving with head and tail high, the whole appearance of the Afghan Hound is one of great style and beauty.”
Saluki: <no mention>

Temperament: The Afghan is a much busier, livelier dog, and this extends to the show ring where they tend to be much showier. The Afghan tends to fall back on heavy drama when things don't go its way. The Saluki resorts to pouting and shutting down. Although the Saluki standard doesn’t mention sharpness or shyness as faults, they are.

Afghan: “Aloof and dignified, yet gay…Faults-sharpness of shyness.”
Saluki: <no mention>

Summary
A Saluki is not a hair-challenged Afghan Hound. If you are mentally comparing the two as such you are doing both breeds an injustice. They differ in size, topline, tail, head, ears, eyes, angulation, movement, temperament, color and coat. Related—yes! Similar--yes! Different—absolutely!