MyDogBreeds
Saluki is originated from Iraq but Brittany is originated from France. Saluki may grow 19 cm / 8 inches higher than Brittany. Saluki may weigh 10 kg / 23 pounds more than Brittany. Both Saluki and Brittany has almost same life span. Saluki may have less litter size than Brittany. Saluki requires Moderate maintenance. But Brittany requires Low maintenance
It seems as though the Saluki's origins go far back to ancient Egypt times. The dog is known for its superb hunting abilities.
These dogs have been known in the Middle East and could be found in Iran and Egypt too. Breeding with other dogs was forbidden so the Saluki has remained unchanged for thousands of years.
It has always been known over the centuries for its superb grace and speed as well as endurance. He is capable of that because of the tall, sleek, muscular body and long, narrow head.
The Saluki came to England in the 1900s, and today the dog comes in quite a few variations.
One of the most intense bird dog breeds in existence is the Brittany, bred for hunt. The breed used to be called the Brittany Spaniel, but since the breed is closer to a setter or pointer, that moniker has been dropped. The Brittany is named for the French Province in which they were originally developed. Sometime from the 17th to the 19th centuries, the breed was developed. Images of a very similar dog can be found on 17th century paintings and tapestries. However, the first written description comes from 1850 by a Reverend Davies, describing a hunting episode. The breed was recognized officially in the early part of the 20th century and made a splash at the 1900 Paris Dog Show.
The first official standards were written in about 1907 and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1934.The Brittany is expected to point to and then retrieve birds and other small ground game. Because the Brittany both points and retrieves they are known in the U.K. as a Hunt, Point and Retrieve breed or an HPR, and they have more Dual Champions than the rest of the AKC Sporting group.
There are actually two types of Brittanys in the minds of many breeders. There is the “French” Brittany and the “American” Brittany. When the breed arrived in the United States in 1931 they became immensely popular in a short period of time. In 1942 American Breeders began the American Brittany Club, rewriting the French standard to fit the dog they knew. Today there are definitely difference between the two sub-sets that can easily be seen. The French dog is smaller than the American dog. The American dog is a runner pacing ahead of the hunter while the French dog works more closely with their human companions. Another visible difference is that the French accept black spotted Brittanys, while in the United States a black spotted coat is considered a fault. Both sub-sets are known for their willingness to follow human directions, their eagerness for the hunt, and their agility and speed.
Unfortunately, the European wars took their toll on this breed as they did on many others. Following the second World War, their numbers in Europe were drastically reduced. The French had stop breeding them altogether during the war. It was in this depleted gene pool that the French agreed to accept the black spotted Brittany. Along with the U.S., Canada also does not recognize the black spotted Brittany.
The Saluki is a graceful, elegant looking dog, deep chested and long legged, much like the Greyhound and fairly closely related to the Afghan Hound.
They stand at between 58 and 71cm and weigh between 16 to 29kg. The head is long and narrow, the eyes large and the dog has floppy ears. The tail is long and curved. The coat of the Saluki comes in a number of different colours and these can be fawn, cream, white, tan, some black or it can have a blend of all these colours. The coat of this dog comes in two types - smooth and the feathered type. The fur is always beautifully silky and is considered to be low-shedding.
These dogs are also very fast runners, and if you check the Guinness Book of Records, you’ll see that the Saluki is listed there as being one of the fastest dogs with tremendous stamina.
Th Saluki is a beautiful, quiet, dignified, reserved, loyal dog. You can just see that he is intelligent. He is certainly affectionate with his human family but you wouldn’t call him demonstrative. He isn’t the kind of dog to be wildly prancing around wagging his tail furiously.
He’s the kind of dog that likes to give chase so you’ll need a large garden for him. It’s why he isn’t suited for city life on a small property. The countryside is a far better option for this tall dog.
When he’s not outdoors, he can easily curl up on your sofa for a few hours of utter relaxation. Training and socialization will be necessary for this shy dog as it not only makes him obedient, but it gives him some confidence with knowing how to behave in different circumstances. He’ll get on well with older children, but is fairly indifferent and intolerant to small kids, especially those that are undisciplined and left to climb over him.
The Brittany is much like other hunting dogs – pointers and retrievers – in size and stature. He is solid and strong but not heavy. He is compact with an average size head and floppy ears, docked tails or short natural tails, and expressively intelligent looking eyes. He is athletic, energetic, and alert. He has a long, elastic and free gait. The French dog is smaller and the dog with black spots is accepted. The American Brittany is larger and only a tri-color of orange, liver and white is acceptable.
The Saluki loves his human family, and he’s the kind of dog that wouldn’t like to be owned by one family ad then given away to another later on. That's why make sure when you get your Saluki your intentions are to keep him.
He likes to be comfortable too when they’re not running outside, and a good bed is important to him. Salukis are naturally thin, so make sure not to overfeed him. These are quiet, calm dogs, but over the centuries they've been making reliable, steadfast pets and companions.
The Brittany is particularly trainable and friendly. They love to play and are sweet-natured. They don’t due well with harsh correction though and a stern look will cause them to wither. Socialize them young or they can become shy around strangers. They are loyal and family oriented. They can easily become attached to their humans.
We always mention hip dysplasia as a common dog ailment as so many dog breeds can succumb to this ailment. With the Saluki, hip dysplasia is uncommon. Cancer and cardiac issues are more prevalent with these dogs.
It is sad to realize that dogs are susceptible to the same types of cancer as people are. If the uncontrolled growth of cells in the body isn’t discovered in time, cancer can reach the circulatory or lymph systems and other parts of the body. In fact, cancer is the leading cause of death with dogs. The good news is that it is treatable if you catch it in the early stages.
One of the more common types of cancer in dogs is Lymphoma. This can affect any dog, and at any age too. There are swollen lymph nodes under the neck and the dog can have trouble with breathing and digestion. You’ll notice lumps underneath the dog's skin, abnormal discharges from the eyes, ears or rectum, non-healing wounds, coughing and pain.
The breed is a hardy one and Brittanys are mostly healthy dogs. In Europe 1 in 5 dogs dies of old age and that age is usually 14 or 15 years. They do have a few issues that they may be susceptible to. These would include:
These tall, slender dogs love to run free and it's the kind of dog that will need regular and different forms of exercise.
Provide your Saluki with a comfortable, warm, dry bed with lots of padding.
The Saluki has smooth, silky hair so brush it twice a week to keep it gleaming.
To help your Saluki have a strong immune system, he needs the best food there is. Good food packed with vitamins and minerals instead of preservative and colorants will help him fight diseases like cancer.
Commercially manufactured dog foods can be wonderfully convenient and nutritious if you get the better quality ones. Give him some home-made food too and add it twice a week to the dry kibble. This will provide variety and a tasty treat. Boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach are simple foods – just like dogs want.
Try and include some raw meat occasionally. Fresh, cool water should always be available around the clock.
Don’t overfeed your Brittany. Keep him at hunting weight by feeding a half a cup up to 2 cups per day depending on the size of your dog and activity levels. Serve this in two meals not one.
Ears – prone to infections – make sure that you check them and wipe them out routinely to prevent infections.
Hip Dysplasia – bones don’t fit well into joints – this can be genetic or otherwise, causing lameness and arthritis. If severe it can require surgery to correct.
Epilepsy – mild or serious seizures are possible. This can be genetic/hereditary but is set off by an infectious disease of the brain, head injury, poison, tumor, or metabolic disorder. There is no cure, but medication can be very effective.
Hypothyroidism – Low levels of thyroid hormone – can cause drooping eyelids, obesity, lethargy, mental difficulties or irregular heat cycles or all of this. Medication is available as it is for humans but must be taken daily for the rest of the dog’s life
Canine Discoid Lupus Erythematosus – autoimmune disease that is rare in dogs. Cats and humans can also have it. It is a skin disease and does not become the more serious and deadly Systemic Lupus. The Discoid version of this disease causes loss of pigmentation and a scaling on the nose which can then progress to the skin around the ears, eyes and genitals. There could be ulcerated lesions and tissue death in more severe cases. Sun exposure can make the condition worse.
The Brittany is a hunting dog that acts like a pointer but will retrieve fowl and birds in the water or on land. If you don’t hunt, the Brittany can still be your family dog. They need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. They need a job if they are not going to hunt and expect them to be distracted by every bird they see. Try flyball, agility, FAST CAT, field trials and dock diving. They are very task oriented and have boundless energy. They excel at obedience and confirmation as well.