Page 153 - THE SLOUGHI REVIEW - ISSUE 13

T H E S L O U G H I R E V I E W 1 5 3

The 'Ideal Sloughi' by Auguste Le Gras, early 20th century

Hare, fox and jackal/Golden wolf are, from the communal, family point of view, enemies
and pests to the families of man and Sloughi, as well as their herd animals and fields.

The gazelle, however, is the game to be hunted according to the Greek and Roman idea of
competition, the Agon. As Xenophon and Arrian have already pointed out, hunting is
regarded as the training and education of young men and the preparation of fighters for
war. The competition between hunter and hunted also allows the game to escape. It is

treated with respect.

The Sloughi has all the necessary qualities of the successful hunter. He has good eyes that
see far, he hears excellently, he smells excellently and his sensory system is very
sensitive. He is a mentally strong, instinctive dog.

He hunts with his human as a lone hunter as well as in companionship with other
Sloughis and hounds. He is always cooperative and there is no jealousy among the dogs.
His outstanding abilities are coordinated and focused by his intelligence and are essential
for the successful fast hunter. He tracks the game, sometimes assisted by Bracken or
Rateros and when the game flees he moves on to the final hunting sequence, the fast
tracking, retrieving and holding of the game until the hunter arrives, accompanied by the
shaking of the game.

However, this intelligence must also be encouraged and further trained and ultimately
shows itself in the free and proud handling of a full family member.