Saluki (species) (English spelling)

Japanese: サルキー[種]（英語表記）saluki

A hunting dog originating from Central Asia. It is said to have originated from the Sumerian Dog from around 7000 BC, and is known as the oldest dog in the world along with the Norwegian Elkhound. The Arab lords of Central Asia used it as an essential hunting dog for gazelle hunting, and protected its bloodline as their most valuable possession. In fact, until the beginning of the 20th century, it was so expensive that it could not be bought or sold, and was treated as a more valuable item than jewels. To hunt gazelles, a hawk is first released, and when the hawk spots the prey and begins to circle, a sulky is released as a signal. The hawk and the dog work together to corner the prey and allow the hunter to kill it.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

原産地が中央アジアの獣猟犬。紀元前7000年ころのスメリアン･ドッグを基礎犬として出発していると伝えられ，ノルウェジアン･エルクハウンドとともに世界最古のイヌとして知られる。中央アジアのアラブ民族の領主たちがガゼル猟に必須の猟犬，また最高の財産として血統を守ってきた犬種である。事実，20世紀の初めころまでは売買の対象とならないほど高価な犬で，宝石以上の貴重品扱いであった。ガゼル猟にはまずタカが放たれ，タカが獲物を発見して旋回し始めると，それを合図にサルキーが放たれ，タカとイヌが相呼応して獲物を追いつめ，猟師にしとめさせる役割をはたす。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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