A Saluki is a breed of dog that was developed from sighthounds, which are dogs that hunt primarily by sight rather than strong scent. They were once used by nomadic tribes to run down game animals and were originally bred in the Fertile Crescent. Salukis are sighthounds that hunt by sight more than scent or sound and run their quarry down to kill or retrieve it. They have a long and slender body, with long legs, a deep chest, and a small waist. The breeds gene pool has two coat types: smooth and "feathered". Salukis are generally quiet at home, extremely gentle with children, and good with other dogs. They are swift and agile sprinters who love a good chase and make gentle, dignified, and independent but loyal pets. Salukis are aloof with strangers and require early socialization to encourage a confident attitude. They need access to a large fenced area, as they are likely to take off and not come back. Salukis have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years, which is similar to other breeds of their size.