Saluki vs Greyhound NZ: Two Ancient Sighthounds — and Why the Greyhound Is Often the Practical Choice

The Saluki and the Greyhound are both ancient, slender, elegant sighthounds built for speed. They attract a similar type of NZ owner — someone who appreciates a graceful, calm indoor dog that transforms outdoors. They're meaningfully different in what you can realistically expect from each, and for NZ owners, the Greyhound has a significant practical advantage.

At a glance

NZ Greyhound advantage: adoption — and what changed on 1 August 2026

Commercial greyhound racing in New Zealand has closed. The Racing Industry (Closure of Greyhound Racing Industry) Amendment legislation ends commercial greyhound racing from 1 August 2026, dissolves Greyhound Racing New Zealand, and hands the wind-down — including rehoming — to the Greyhound Racing Transition Agency, which is expected to operate until around July 2029.

For anyone choosing between these two breeds in NZ, that makes the practical picture more lopsided than ever. Roughly 1,400 ex-racing greyhounds are moving into pet homes, and the nationwide Greyhound Rehoming Project coordinates the three agencies placing them: Greyhounds As Pets (GAP), May Hounds and Nightrave Greyhounds.

• Greyhound: adoptable as an adult with a known temperament. GAP's adoption fee is currently $450, and dogs go home with a pet passport recording their vaccination, desexing and registration tag.
• Saluki: no equivalent adoption pathway in NZ; registered breeders are the primary source at $1,500–$3,500.

Adoption still involves a matching assessment — no agency promises that every greyhound suits every household, and cat compatibility in particular is judged dog by dog. But with racing over, this is the easiest moment there has ever been to give a retired racer a home in New Zealand — see adopting a retired racing greyhound in NZ for the application process, costs and settling-in plan.

Trainability difference

Greyhound (trainability 4/5): More trainable than most sighthounds. This reflects the consistent handling and basic obedience training that forms part of the GAP transition process. Greyhounds respond reasonably well to positive reinforcement for basic commands and household manners.

Saluki (trainability 3/5): More independently-minded. The Saluki is one of the older independent sighthound types — they hunted cooperatively with humans rather than under human direction, and their training reflects this. Commands are understood but selectively applied.

Both breeds: Recall in off-lead NZ environments is genuinely challenging. Both breeds will chase small animals, native wildlife, or anything that moves rapidly. Secure fencing and leash management at DOC areas, beaches (particularly where shorebirds or seals are present), and unfenced parks is essential for both.

Lifespan: Saluki significantly ahead

The Saluki's lifespan of 10–17 years is notably longer than the Greyhound's 10–13 years. This reflects the Saluki's ancient heritage and lack of extensive inbreeding for racing performance.

For NZ owners who are choosing a longer-term companion, the Saluki's upper lifespan range is meaningful — a healthy Saluki can live into its mid-to-late teens.

Temperament and family

Greyhound (kids 5/5; other pets 4/5): GAP-transitioned Greyhounds are assessed for their suitability around children and other animals. Many are calm, gentle giants in the home — they may be the least demanding large dog available, spending most of their time sleeping. They tend to be good with other dogs.

Cat compatibility: Greyhounds vary significantly in their small-animal prey drive. Adoption agencies assess dogs for "cat status" — some are considered cat-safe, others are not. Raise it early with whichever agency you apply through, because it narrows which dogs you can be matched with.

Saluki (kids 4/5; other pets 3/5): Also gentle and family-friendly, but with slightly higher prey drive and more independence. Their relationship with small animals (cats, rabbits) requires careful introduction and is less predictable.

Health: Greyhound the edge

Greyhound (health 2/5 — fewer concerns): Generally robust and relatively free from serious inherited conditions. GAP dogs have a medical history available.

Saluki (health 3/5 — moderate concerns): Some lines are prone to certain cardiac conditions and eye issues. Lifespan is long, but health variability is greater.

One vet-room fact that applies to both

Sighthounds are not physiologically average dogs, and it matters whenever either breed needs surgery or even a routine dental. Clinical guidance on breed-specific anaesthesia notes that sighthounds run a higher packed cell volume and lower serum albumin than other breeds — so results that look abnormal on a standard reference range may be normal for them — and that they carry very little body fat (around 17%, against roughly 35% in a typical dog), which means they lose heat fast and need active warming through a procedure. They also metabolise some anaesthetic drugs slowly: thiobarbiturates are avoided, and propofol recoveries are often slower.

Any NZ vet who regularly sees ex-racing greyhounds will already work this way. If yours doesn't see many, say "sighthound" out loud before the pre-med.

*General information only — not a substitute for your vet's clinical judgement.*

Which is right for you?

Choose a Greyhound if:

• You're interested in adopting a retired racing dog via GAP NZ (a genuinely rewarding and accessible route in NZ)
• You want a more trainable, kid-compatible sighthound
• Budget is a consideration (GAP adoption is much lower cost than purchasing a puppy)
• You live with other dogs and want better cross-dog compatibility

Choose a Saluki if:

• You specifically want a puppy with known breeding history
• The Saluki's longer potential lifespan (up to 17 years) is important to you
• The Saluki's slender, exotic middle-eastern appearance specifically appeals
• You're prepared for a more independently-minded dog

Both are unsuitable if:

• You want a reliable off-lead dog around small wildlife (both have strong sighthound prey drive)
• You live in a home without a securely fenced outdoor area
• You want a highly obedient, command-responsive dog

Related guides

• Adopting a retired racing greyhound in NZ
• Greyhound vs Italian Greyhound NZ
• SPCA on the greyhound racing ban deadline
• Irish Wolfhound vs Scottish Deerhound NZ
• Best dog breeds for lifestyle blocks and farms NZ
• Find a breed tool
• Compare breeds tool

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References

• Dog Control Act 1996: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1996/0013/latest/whole.html
• Department of Internal Affairs, Racing policy — commercial greyhound racing closes from 1 August 2026; Greyhound Racing Transition Agency oversees closure and rehoming, checked 2026-08-25: https://www.dia.govt.nz/resource-material-our-policy-advice-areas-racing-policy
• Greyhound Rehoming Project (run by the Greyhound Transition Agency), About — a coordinated, nationwide effort to rehome racing greyhounds, checked 2026-08-25: https://greyhoundrehoming.org.nz/about
• Greyhounds as Pets NZ, Adoption process (current adoption fee $450; pet passport with vaccination, desexing and registration), checked 2026-08-25: https://greyhoundsaspets.org.nz/adoption/adoption-process
• American Kennel Club, Greyhound, checked 2026-08-25: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/greyhound/
• American Kennel Club, Saluki, checked 2026-08-25: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/saluki/
• Clinician's Brief, Special Considerations for Breed-Specific Anesthesia (sighthound PCV, body fat and drug metabolism), checked 2026-08-25: https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/breed-specific-anesthesia

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*Profile scores sourced from PetMall breed profiles. Adoption availability and requirements change as the rehoming programme progresses — check greyhoundrehoming.org.nz or greyhoundsaspets.org.nz for current information. Cat suitability is assessed individually for greyhounds placed in homes with cats. Not a substitute for veterinary advice.*