When you come to Florida with your saluki you need to know more about where you’re going than what’s in the tour book. Every place has its own peculiar dangers as well as beauty.  Florida’s beauty is obvious; the dangers may not be until it’s too late. Get to know them.  

Water Hazards
Many salukis enjoy swimming or at least wading as a way to escape the Florida heat, but in Florida that could be a big mistake. 

Alligators: The largest fresh water threat is the alligator. Alligators consider dogs an irresistible delicacy. Alligators prefer any kind of fresh water, but are occasionally found in brackish or salt water, especially near marshes or river mouths. If you walk your dog near any such water, keep your dog on leash and stay away from the water’s edge. If you see an alligator checking out your dog, get away from the shore. If you are walking near water and notice the underbrush or reeds are all mashed down, leave the area. Females build large mound shaped nests in the spring; avoid them!

Cottonmouths: Fresh water is also home to the cottonmouth, or water moccasin. This poisonous snake lives in swamps, lakes, rivers, and ditches—just about any fresh water body in the Southeast. It often basks on the shore during the day, but is more active at night. It can be identified by the light coloration inside its mouth and its way of swimming with its head held out of the water. Its bite can be fatal. 

Snapping Turtles: Another fresh water danger is the snapping turtle. Snappers are aggressive and have bitten body parts off of curious dogs with their sharp beaks. They can reach up to 45 pounds, and are identified by their rough, often algae covered shell, thick tail, mean expression, and angry demeanor.  Snappers are found around muddy-bottomed fresh water with abundant plant life, although nesting females can wander far from water.

Fish:  Most Florida beaches are off limits to dogs, but there may be another reason to not sneak them into the surf.  Salukis can swim, but they aren’t built to be strong swimmers. Even the best swimming dog can’t overcome strong surf or undertows. If a sign says swimming is unsafe for people, it is unsafe for dogs as well. Don’t forget your dog may not be the only animal in saltwater. Stinging jellyfish can be a nuisance, but the Portugese man o’war can be deadly. Sharks can attack dogs just as readily as they attack humans, so keep your dog out of shark infested waters or areas that have a lot of shark bait such as fish schools.

Shoreline hazards: Don’t be lulled into complacency simply because your dog is a landlubber. Shorelines have their own risks. Fishhooks and fishing line can stick in paws, wrap around legs, or be swallowed along with their bait. Sharp shells, coral, and rock jetties can gash paws.  Sand spurs along dunes may not be a danger, but they sure are a nuisance.

Canals: Much of Florida is criss-crossed with canals. It’s very simple for a Saluki to fall or jump into one and then not be able to climb out because of the steep seawall. These canals have currents and they could carry the dog out to larger bodies of water. Remember, too, that Florida also has cold weather. A saluki has little insulation and if left stranded in a canal on a frigid day for long can succumb to hypothermia. Hypothermic dogs can lose the ability to swim with the strength necessary to make it back to shore or stay afloat. 

Woodland Warnings
Though known for its palm trees and beaches, much of Florida is covered in woodlands. And these woodlands are home to many mammals that can tempt your saluki. 

Deer: One of the greatest woodland dangers is the deer. Salukis cannot resist chasing deer and they can do so for miles, across roads, through swamps, and into unknown lands. Don’t forget, too, that in many parts of the country it is illegal for dogs to chase deer and legal to shoot a dog doing so. 

Raccoons, black bears, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, wild hogs, and even Florida panthers roam the Florida woodlands. They will all avoid dogs but will fight back effectively if pressed. 

Hunters: Mammals also attract hunters. If a trigger-happy hunter can mistake a person for a deer, just imagine how easily they could mistake a saluki for one.  Know your hunting seasons and know your hunting areas.  Even when you’re running your dog off-season in a “No-Hunting” area don’t forget about poachers.  It never hurts to have your dog wear a bight hunter’s orange vest such as are available for many hunting dogs, or even a brightly colored coursing jacket.  Not only will these help identify your dog as non-game, but they can help you locate your dog at a distance.  

Poison Ivy: And one more warning: Although dogs don’t get reactions to poison ivy or poison oak, they can carry the irritants on their fur and transmit them to you when you rub it.  Keep your dog away from these plants for your own good!

More Bad Guys
Sometimes it’s the little things that can ruin a day in the Florida sun. 

Fire ants: Florida ants are more than a nuisance. Stay away from abnormally large anthills, and watch where your dog steps. Fire ants are aggressive and actually inject a tiny amount of venom into any animal that encroaches upon their nests. Their stings hurt, and a puppy with lots of stings can die. If you see your dog shaking a foot or pawing at his muzzle, look for ants and brush them off quickly with a firm hand.

Wasps and Bees: Other stinging insects such as hornets, wasps, bees, and yellow jackets also occur in Florida.  If you or your dog is attacked by them, get your dog and run away as fast as you can. You can run faster than they can fly. Do not try to hide in water. They will wait for you to emerge. Get in an enclosed space such as a car, which is disorienting to the few that may get in there with you. Mostly, run!

Snakes: Poisonous snakes are high on most people’s list of dreaded animals. Most rattlesnakes prefer dry areas, often retreating in burrows, dense vegetation, hollow logs, or rock outcroppings. Most are primarily nocturnal but may also be active in the daylight during colder months. Rattlesnakes make a characteristic rattling sound as a warning, but unfortunately few dogs are warned off by it. Their venom has proven fatal to many dogs.  Although their bite is extremely poisonous, coral snakes have little mouths and are less likely to bite.  Seek immediate veterinary treatment for any poisonous snakebite.

Toads: The giant marine toad of south Florida is typically 4-10” long and is primarily nocturnal. It secretes a toxic substance from the large paratoid glands behind its eyes that can burn eyes and sicken dogs, even proving fatal to small dogs and puppies.

Microscopic Maladies 

Rabies: Your dog should always be current in its rabies vaccinations before embarking on vacation. If you plan to camp or hike, you risk coming across a rabid raccoon, fox, or other animal that could infect your pet. Because rabid animals can act fearlessly and be present in unusual areas your dog has a greater chance of confronting one.  If you do see a wild animal acting strangely, get yourself and your dog away from it and report it to authorities if possible. 

Heartworm: Another widespread microscopic danger is heartworm, carried by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes prefer warm, wet areas—in other words, the entire state of Florida. Your thin-haired saluki needs to be on heartworm preventive if you plan to travel in Florida, and to stay on the preventive for at least two months after possible mosquito exposure. Salukis that live in Florida should stay on preventive year-round. 

Tick-borne diseases: Ticks carry several potentially fatal diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), erhlichiosis, and  babesiosis.  . Erhlichiosis has been reported in almost every state, but most cases come from the southeast and southwest. Babesia is also found mostly in the southeast. Lyme disease is seldom reported in Florida. Despite its name, RMSF has been found in almost every state and is most prevalent in the mid-Atlantic seaboard states, especially from April to October. Lyme disease is seldom found in Florida.

Weather Warnings

Heat:  Florida’s not called the Sunshine State for nothing. It is hot and humid.  Dogs cannot cool themselves as effectively as humans, and even desert dogs can succumb to heat prostration—especially if they run at saluki speeds. Exercise your saluki early in the morning and provide plenty of shade and cool water during the day.  Many salukis like to lounge in kiddy wading pools in hot weather. 

Hurricanes: Don’t take Florida weather extremes lightly. Heed hurricane warnings early; shelters provided for people do not accept animals. Contact a club member for help if you find yourself in such a crisis. Florida also has tornadoes. But no earthquakes or volcanoes!

Lightning: Lightning kills more people in Florida than in any other state. It kills dogs too. Thunder can also frighten dogs and cause them to run away. Seek shelter in a building or car at the first sign of a thunderstorm, and make sure your dog cannot escape. If your dog is afraid of thunder, seek advice from a behavior counselor, book, or your veterinarian about working to overcome this fear. Drug therapy can help; sometimes just putting a fearful dog in a car and driving around for the duration of the storm is the easiest short-term solution. 

Safety First

Despite this long list of potential dangers, your dog is probably just as dangerous to wildlife as they are to your dog.  Don’t let your dog destroy nature, wildlife, or any vacation spot. Don’t take stupid chances. Even if your dog is street smart and obedient at home, you never know what could happen when your dog is in unfamiliar territory.  Dogs have run away in fright from pounding surf, strange sights, overwhelming tourists, or other loose dogs. They can become intoxicated with the excitement of the woods or beach. Once on the run, they can become easily lost. They can give chase to wild animals that can lead them into the path of traffic. They can wander into agricultural country and be shot by suspicious farmers or ranchers, or into the wilds and be shot by trigger-happy hunters. Before you unhook the leash, be absolutely certain you know where every road is, every marsh is, where every conceivable danger to your dog is. 

Finally, remember your dog can be in greatest danger while in your car. Use a cage or a doggie seatbelt to restrain and protect your dog when traveling. Don’t leave your dog in the car in hot weather. Don’t leave your dog unattended anywhere, even in the car, where dognappers could break in and snatch him. Remember the most dangerous animal is the human.

Enjoy your saluki in Florida! There may be dangers, but there’s even more fun….