The Saluki Centre Abu Dhabi is dedicated to man’s best friend, more specifically ‘salukis’; a breed of dogs found in desert terrains. This variety of dog is sometimes referred to as the Persian Greyhound, with reference to the olden day name of Iran.

Salukis are sight hounds, which use superior vision and speed to hunt prey as opposed to the usual scent and hunt of most other types of dogs. They are long legged, have lean bodies and come in an assortment of colours such as sandy brown, jet black with white and chocolate brown with black. History reveals that Salukis have indeed been the best friends of the Arabs for many centuries and been their travel partners up and down the Silk Route. They are inscribed on Egyptian tombs, referred to in the Bible and Koran and seen in Iranian rock art. The loyalty of salukis and their ability to withstand the rugged desert terrains made them invaluable to their masters.

The Saluki Centre is a dedicated centre that teaches people about the proper upbringing of salukis and how to groom and care for them. Further, the tradition of sight hunting as was practiced thousands of years ago with the assistance of these hounds was taught with the hope of continuing the age old convention in the region. However, subsequent to the prohibition of unlawful hunting, salukis have been featured mostly in races and beauty shows. The annual beauty pageants are not a frivolous display of better fur or stronger legs, but a comprehensive show of grit, character and loyalty of the hound as well. To find a thoroughbred saluki, it is this centre that you should visit as they have records of the pure bred animals and offer advice on breeding.

Dog lovers will find themselves pulling away from the captive accommodation Abu Dhabi to visit the Saluki Centre. Though many a hotel in Abu Dhabi is unlikely to allow pets, a relaxed tour of the desert dog centre should cheer up all the animal fanatics. Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi makes an ideal base from which to explore the region and experience the many fascinating sights and sounds it has to offer.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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