Page 85 - THE SLOUGHI REVIEW Issue 15

T H E S L O U G H I R E V I E W 8 5

What could be the zoological meaning behind this adaptability? Let's assume it's about the
adaptability of the different types and landraces in their different areas of origin.

If we look at the modern breeds Sloughi and Saluki bred according to a standard, there are

several differences between the two breeds, starting with the origin according to the current
standards. For the Sloughi this is North Africa according to the FCI standard, for the Saluki it
is the "Middle East", which is not clearly defined. One could perhaps say that the Saluki does
not originally occur in North Africa.

Therefore, the term "North African Sloughi" is correct.

It is often assumed that the Middle Eastern Saluki is related to the mummified dog from tomb
TT 50, which is now on display at the Egyptian Archaeological Museum in Cairo. This dog,
however, is more likely to be related to a North African Sloughi type in terms of colour and
coat structure. So far there is no proof of the theory that Salukis, feathered or short-haired,
come from the Egyptian dogs.

Luman, imported to England in 1895 by the Hon. Florence Amherst from
the Nile Delta, Tahawi Bedouin (photo enhanced with AI)

A second assumption about the Egyptian origin is based on the Saluki of Syrian type "Luman"
imported to England at the end of the 19th century. The Hon. Florence Amherst received this
Saluki from Lower Egypt from the Tahawi Bedouins, whose relatives were Anazah and
Shammar Bedouins. They have sent horses from Syria in the 19th century because of their
descent from Mohammed's horses. The Tahawi neglected the horses from North Africa,

probably Berber horses, which the Tahawi had previously had in favour of the Syrian horses
for breeding. A detailed account of these events is described in Sloughi Review 7
"Tohuwabohu". Since the Tahawi also had Sloughis in addition to the Syrian-type Salukis,
evidence of Salukis originating from Egypt is historically at least questionable.