I saw a show a few months ago " Hounds of the Hunt' - mostly about the Saluki.I do think alot of the info is also applicable to ours. (as was to my former Borzoi & Afghans). it was on at 4am, so Don didn't see it and yesterday I was trying to find something online about it. I came across a similar story though - it stated that the Saluki raised in 'their' original enviroment usually live to 21, yet in Europe - usually up to 11 - 13. I am questioning if perhaps these things may factor in: pollution, diet, vaccines, consistency of exercise, healthier routine - where they work for their meals.. After over 25 yrs of dealing with dogs, I've yet to meet with a large breed sighthound who lived to 21..or near that.
Any thoughts?
Cassandra

Question is what the original environment for salukis is. I really doubt that hounds living in the middle east (must be that they refer to as original environment) get that age. Specially not if they must hunt for a living.
Pollution is nut just only a local problem, it is global enough to be provable in the Antarktis where no real human settlements are any kind near.

There is a difference in islamic years and gregorian years (which we use in the west); the islamic year is slightly shorter, but the difference, if the 21 years were measured in islamic years does not explain the difference. 21 islamic years are approximately 20½ gregorian years.