Page 84 - THE SLOUGHI REVIEW Issue 15

T H E S L O U G H I R E V I E W 8 4

Tadeusz Ajdukiewicz (Polish painter) 1852 - 1916, In a Turkish courtyard, 1884

DISCUSSION OF FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES

There are a few basic questions, the answers to which could help us make a decision. A

decision whether it is a Saluki or a Sloughi.

Firstly. Zoologically, the current classification is that the wolf, Canis lupus, is the progenitor
of dogs, Canis lupus familiaris.

Dr. Dominique de Caprona writes on this question: "Canis lupus familiaris, all breeds can
interbreed. Within this subspecies there are breeds because they are domesticated / under the
influence of humans. Canis lupus famiIiaris is a subspecies of Canis lupus, the wolf. Let's not
confuse the terms."

In Sloughi Review 13 we have examined various backgrounds to the question of
domestication. From these backgrounds, Dr. Erik Zimen defines the species in such a way
that they develop in sexually isolated groups with free mate choice. At the same time,
however, he does not define a landrace as a separate race in the sense of the category. Dr.
Dominique de Caprona writes about this: "what Zimen is probably alluding to is the genetic
drift that occurs in isolated populations."

However, it must be pointed out at this point that there are profound physiological

differences between the various types of dog. For example, sighthounds have a significantly
larger heart than other types of dog and their haematocrit is very viscous. In addition, there
are other differences that need to be discussed elsewhere.