I was a little shocked too, until I learned the story and became good friends
with the breeder's sister who is the one who brought the dogs to the US. I
had offered Randa more for the pup I adopted, but she would have nothing of it
(at this time). Future litters, I can't be sure. (Note: I am cross posting
to Caid to save an email.)
First off, Randa wasn't sure how people would take to the pups. So, finding
excellent homes for them is the first priority, and so she only brought a few.
And she got a steal on shipping from Saudi -- $500 or so, so that's her
current fee. You all know how dangerous things are getting over there, so
there
was a safety factor too. She was an American in Saud, and has returned to the
States with her husband. She brought a few pups with her that her brother
bred from a bedouin dog named Jamil, and a pup Randa bred named Sharita. For
those of us in the SPDBS (Society for the Perpetuation of the Desert Bred
Saluki), this was fabulous. It's not often we have DB pups from their COO
brought
here. However, there aren't many of us in the US, and so not everyone had room
to take them. Also, as with everything, there were people who were looking
for dogs with CH blood in them -- most Bedouin dogs are only CH in the minds of
the Bedouins. Which means only those of us who want to perpetuate that, want
these dogs. I can't show Na'amah in specific AKC events, but I can course her
-- and I plan on it!
Now, I joined the SCA because I know there are others who, like me,
appreciate where we've come from in order to better understand ourselves. So I
thought
to share the news of this pup (and possibly future puppies) with you all. I
wanted everyone to know that I have no personal profit from this, though, so
no one would think I am peddling puppies. The idea is to find them the best
homes possible -- homes that will appreciate them in every way. And I have to
tell you, my Naya is so awesome, but there is a trick (or more) to owning big
sighthounds such as these. However, my kennels are desert bred kennels, and my
hope is that I can help spread knowledge about these dogs in terms of their
COOs, so I guess I do have a bit of a reason for sharing the news of the pups.
For those interested in more historic background on this deal -- the Bedouin
traditions of the care and feeding of salukis has stuck hard with the British
and Americans living in Saudi and other ME countries. Materalism is a thing
of the West, which I (and my friend Randa) do enjoy the positives of, but there
is a down side to it. We tend to forget what is important in life -- could
you imagine offering a cup of water to a neighbor who understands that you are
giving them something more costly than gold? Salukis are the bread and butter
of a nomadic tribe's life, and because these dogs are blessed of Allah, they
are considered the greatest GIFT the family has. Giving of that gift to
others increases your own worth in the eyes of Allah. Caring for these dogs in
a
traditional manner and using them in manners *close to* what they were
originally intended is a very pious act, in my book, and even if you aren't
Islamic, I
think most of us can understand that concept.
There is a HUGE misunderstanding among many Americans in terms of what is
worth owning, and what is not. Modern saluki ownership in America has mainly
catered to the show ring, and certain breeders breed *to* the ring. I know of
breeders who put down pups who don't show show quality characteristics. I know
breeders who sell dogs that they think won't make a CH after their name for
much less, and have such dogs fixed before they go to their homes -- which they
call "pet homes" as though CH salukis aren't pets too. If you go to shows or
look at pictures of these show dogs, many of them are what a friend of mine
calls "tube bodies" with obnoxious amounts of feathering. Many of them are
pretty, but salukis are such a diverse breed that it has done a horrible thing
to
the mindset of people who WANT salukis. They look for supermodel thin
Hollywood type dogs, and not for function, ability, or varied beauty. Which
means
the salukis in the ring get more attractive, but might not be anything like
their desert bred ancestors. The sad end of this is that salukis born and bred
outside the US have not been considered purebred according to AKC standards,
and
were locked out of AKC registries -- I could get into this, but it's a long
and sordid story.
So, I won't get into a long story about the history of the Society for the
Perpetuation of the Desert Bred Saluki, but they (specifically Elizabeth
Dawsari, etal) have made it possible for desert bred pups to gain CRN numbers
and to
eventually be bred to American bred dogs and their pups (depending on
breeding) will be AKC registerable. So, when pups are brought over from Saudi
and are
registered in the Saudi Arabian Kennel Club, it means nothing to most
Americans. The ability to some day have them registered here thus has a double
edged
sword. More people may want to own them, but the desert breed is being bred
out of them at cost in some cases for American ideals of beauty. Which may
not be all that bad, but there are other qualities that are being forgotten.
Like the general ability to course prey with legs long but well musculed, the
tonal agility to pace and pack hunt, the eyes of a sharp sighthound, the
breadth
of ribcage for deep breathing and power, and the strong jaws of hunting dogs.
So, that's the long version, with a little more. ;>
I would LOVE to hear about the histories of other sighthounds as well, by the
way! Putting up reseach for "breeds" in the files portion of the list would
be an excellent idea.
Jonneth
In a message dated 12/30/2004 6:40:05 PM US Mountain Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
hard to belive that someone is willing to GIVE away a DB Saluki and just
wants reimbursment for shipping. I've been on a waiting list for the
past two years for a pup from one stud (and will gladly wait another two
years too for a pup from this one stud!!!)
(sigh) but I do so love my Saluki and wouldn't trade him for anything.
Wish I could course him, but he has no interest in chasing a plastic bag
Jennifer and the "Half Tailed Pack"
~CBD Therapy Dogs~
Its amazing how one being can change the course of your life forever...
http://community.webtv.net/CBDTherapyDogs/doc
http://www.GRR-Adopt.org
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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