Do Salukis Shed?
Yes, Salukis shed, but generally less noticeably than many breeds because of their fine, close-lying coat, which doesn't tend to leave the same drifts of hair around the house that a denser double-coated breed does. Feathered areas like the ears, legs and tail shed a little more visibly than the rest of the coat.
Why a Saluki's coat sheds differently
The Saluki's smooth, short coat lacks the dense, insulating undercoat that many breeds carry, and it's that undercoat, shed heavily during seasonal changes, that produces the big, obvious hair drifts owners associate with shedding season in other breeds.
Without that thick undercoat, a Saluki's shedding tends to be lighter and more spread evenly through the year rather than arriving in one or two dramatic bursts each spring and autumn.
It's a similar pattern to other sighthound breeds with a fine, close coat, and it's one of the traits owners researching low-shedding sighthounds often bring up when comparing the Saluki to heavier-coated breeds.
Where a Saluki sheds the most
The feathered fringes on the ears, backs of the legs and the tail carry slightly longer hair than the rest of the body and tend to be where any noticeable shedding shows up first.
Regular brushing through these feathered areas picks up loose hair before it ends up on furniture or clothing, and it's a far quicker job on a Saluki than on a breed with a full double coat.
Some Salukis also carry a smooth variety with no feathering at all, which sheds even more lightly than the feathered type, so the exact amount of grooming needed does vary a little between individual dogs within the breed.
Managing the shedding that does happen
A weekly brush through the coat and feathering is generally enough to keep on top of a Saluki's shedding, rather than the daily routine a heavier-coated breed might need.
A good diet and general coat condition also play a part in how much a dog sheds; a dog on an appropriate, complete diet generally has a healthier, less shedding-prone coat than one that isn't.
Bathing too frequently can actually work against coat condition by stripping natural oils, so most Saluki owners bathe only when genuinely needed rather than on a fixed weekly schedule.
A quick daily check of the feathering during any heavier shedding period keeps tangles from building up unnoticed between the weekly brushing sessions.
Kit for this breed
Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.
Microfibre Pet Drying Robe
A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe that soaks up the wet fast after baths, swims and walks.
From£10.99
Absorbent Microfibre Dog Drying Robe
A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe with a handy front pocket to dry your dog off fast.
From£13.99
Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles
A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.
£18.99
Common questions
- Are Salukis a good choice for someone with allergies?
- No breed is truly non-shedding or fully hypoallergenic, including the Saluki, though their lighter shedding may suit some allergy sufferers better than a heavy-coated breed. Anyone with a genuine allergy should spend time with the breed before committing.
- Do Salukis need professional grooming?
- Most Salukis manage well with regular home brushing rather than needing professional grooming for coat maintenance, though nail trimming and ear checks are still worth doing regularly, at home or with a groomer.
- Why is my Saluki's feathering matting even though the rest of the coat is fine?
- The longer feathered hair on the ears, legs and tail is more prone to tangling than the short body coat, so it often needs a little extra attention with a comb even when the rest of the dog needs very little brushing.
- Does a Saluki shed more in summer or winter?
- Shedding in this breed tends to be lighter and steadier through the year rather than following the dramatic seasonal blow-outs seen in double-coated breeds, though some increase around seasonal changes is normal.
- Do smooth Salukis shed less than feathered ones?
- Generally yes, a smooth-coated Saluki has no long feathering to shed or tangle at all, making it even lower-maintenance than the feathered variety, though both types shed lightly compared with most other breeds.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.