Persian greyhound

the oldest dog in the world

A mirage in the desert, a creature with winged fringes like a plumage, a white angel similar to a cloud that twirls between sky and sand: the Saluki, the oldest dog in the world of which we have certain evidence. Elongated eyes, made more intense by the black pigmentation, a kajal given to him by mother nature to make his dreamy look absolutely irresistible. Wild nature of a great hunter, difficult for a prey to escape them. In other moments, an affectionate and very sweet creature who expresses all his joy of life in fantastic runs, incredible jumps like flights, wild games with other dogs. Gift from Allah, held in high regard for thousands of years. Tutankhamen himself owned two white ones for hunting. His figure has always been associated with the nomadic populations of Asia, North Africa and the world of the sheikhs, of whom he has always been the most faithful companion over the centuries. Even the famous painter Canaletto was not immune to the charm of the Saluki and portrayed some in his paintings depicting the ships of oriental merchants arriving in Venice.

In Florence Cosimo I dei Medici had a Saluki seal engraved in his ring, now preserved in the Bargello Museum.

With passion and love, Patrizio and I select almost exclusively particolor Saluki, white and cream. These shades make its irresistible charm divine. Admiring white Saluki running on the sand along the sea, playing with the waves or in the green of the meadows creates an absolutely wonderful and almost unreal colour scheme. At night they are floating ghosts, benign spirits that move in absolute silence. In groups they are hopelessly magical like the echo of an ancient poem passed on by the desert wind.

Francesca Zampini