Standard FCI

`AFGHAN HOUND - 10th Group` (FCI # 228) - Standard current since 1987		`SALUKI - 10th Group` (FCI # 269) - Standard current since Nov.2000
CHARACTERISTICS
Eastern or Oriental expression is typical of breed. The Afghan looks at and through you		BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY Salukis vary in type and the variation is desired and typical for the breed. The reason for the variation is the special place held by the Saluki in the Arab tradition and the immense size of the Middle East area where the Saluki has been used as a hound of the chase for thousand of years. Originally each tribe had Salukis best suited for hunting the particular game in its own area, but by Middle East tradition, Salukis are not bought or sold but presented as marks of honour. It follows that those presented as such to Europeans and brought to Europe came from a wide variation of terrain and climate and vary accordingly. The British 1923 standard was the first official European breed standard for the Saluki and was drawn up to cover all these original types of Saluki.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
Gives the impression of strength and dignity, combining speed and power. Head held proudly		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. Smooth variety: the points should be the same with the exception of the coat which has no feathering. IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: The length of the body (from the point of shoulder to point of buttock) is approximately equal to the height at the withers, although the dog often gives the impression of being longer than he really is.
TEMPERAMENT
Dignified and aloof, with a certain keen fierceness		Reserved with strangers, but not nervous or aggressive. Dignified, intelligent and independent
HEAD / SKULL
Skull long, not too narrow with prominent occiput. Foreface long with punishing jaws and slight stop. Skull well balanced and mounted by a long top-knot. Nose preferably black, liver permissible in light coloured dogs		HEAD: Long and narrow, the whole showing nobility CRANIAL REGION: Skull: Moderately wide between ears, not domed Stop: not pronounced FACIAL REGION: Nose: Black or liver brown
EYES
Dark for preference, but golden colour not debarred. Nearly triangular, slanting slightly upwards from inner corner to outer		Dark to hazel and bright, large and oval, but not prominent. The expression should be dignified and gentle with faithful and far-seeing eyes
EARS
Set low and well back, carried close to head. Covered with long silky hair		Long and covered with long silky hair, set on high, mobile, hanging close to the skull
MOUTH
Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissors bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square on the jaws. Level bite tolerated		Teeth and jaws are strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite
NECK
Long, strong with proud carriage of head		Long, supple and well muscled
BODY
Back level, moderate length, well muscled, back falling slightly away to stern. Loin straight, broad and rather short. Hip bones rather prominent and wide apart. A fair spring of ribs and good depth of chest.		The length of the body (from the point of shoulder to point of buttock) is approximately equal to the height at the withers, although the dog often gives the impression of being longer than he really is. Back: Fairly broad Loin: Slightly arched and well muscled Croup: Hipbones set wide apart Chest: Deep, long and moderately narrow. Neither barrel ribbed nor slab sided Underline: Well tucked up
FOREQUARTERS
Forelegs straight and well boned, straight with shoulder viewed from front; elbows close to rib cage, not turned in or out. Shoulders long and sloping, well set back, well muscled and strong without being loaded.		Shoulders: well laid back, well muscled without being coarse Upper Arm: Approximately equal in length to the shoulder blade and forming a good angle with it. (A helping note about angles: according to the Club FALAPA's comments over the standard, the ideal scapulo-humeral angle should be about 135^o and the angle of the omoplate to the horizontal is about 65^o) Forearm: Long and straight from elbow to wrist Pasterns: Strong and flexible, slightly sloping Front Feet: Feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched, not splayed, but at the same time not cat-footed; the whole being strong and supple; feathered between the toes
HINDQUARTERS
Powerful, well bent and well turned stifles. Great length between hip and hock with comparatively short distance between hock and foot. Dew claws may be removed		Strong, showing galloping and jumping power Upper and lower thighs: well developed Stifle: moderately bent Hocks: well let down Hind feet: Similar to front feet
FEET
Forefeet strong and very large both in length and breadth, and covered with long, thick hair, toes arched. Pasterns long and springy, pads well down on the ground. Hindfeet long, but not quite as broad as forefeet; covered with long thick hair		Feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched, not splayed, but at the same time not cat-footed; the whole being strong and supple; feathered between the toes
GAIT / MOVEMENT
Smooth and springy with style of high order		Smooth, flowing and effortless at trot. Light and lifting showing both reach and drive without hackney action or pounding. ("The Saluki is not a trotter but a galloper. He must have a good breathe, without apparent effort, every step must give the impression to be an impulse for the next one, he must be able to sustain a good pace on long distances" - excerpted from the Club FALAPA comments over the Standard)
TAIL
Not too short. Set on low with ring at end. Raised when in action. Sparsely feathered		Long, set on low and carried naturally in a curve, well feathered on the underside with long silky hair, not bushy. In adults not carried above the topline. Tip reching at least to the point of the hock
COAT
Long and very fine texture on ribs, fore and hindquarters and flanks. In mature dogs from the shoulder backwards and along the saddle hair short and close. Hair long from forehead backwards, with a distinct silky top-knot. On the foreface hair short. Ears and legs well coated. Pasterns can be bare. Coat must develop naturally.		Smooth and of a soft, silky texture, feathering on the legs and at the back of thighs, feathering may be present on the throat in adults, puppies may have slight woolly feather on thighs and shoulders. The smooth variety has no feathering.
COLOUR
All colours acceptable		Any colour or combination of colours is permissible. Brindles are undesirable.
SIZE
Ideal height: dogs 68 - 74 cm (27 - 29 in), bitches 63 - 69 cm (25 - 27 in)		Height at whiters: Average between 58 - 71 cm (23 - 28 inches), bitches proportionally smaller
FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree
NOTE
Males should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum
Saluki FCI Standard 1997 and 2000: Compare