Oriental (oriental) greyhounds. Greyhound dog breeds Eastern Greyhound breeds

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Oriental or oriental greyhounds - breeds common in Asia and North Africa. All of them are very ancient and are used mainly for hunting hares, gazelles and wild boars "in a sighted way". Greyhounds are deeply respected among the peoples inhabiting these territories. They are considered the breadwinners of the family and are taken to the hunting ground. Dogs of these breeds were impossible to buy, they were brought as a gift to especially respected people. Hunting with a greyhound was considered the privilege of the nobility. Individual breeds are discussed in more detail below. oriental (oriental) greyhounds.

Eastern greyhound breeds

An ancient breed, the origin of which is the Sinai Peninsula. Afghan hounds were widespread on the territory of many states, but since the Europeans got acquainted with this breed in Afghanistan, the breed received the corresponding name. They were used for hunting big game and were highly prized for their courage and independent thinking. They were quite aggressive, European kennels worked to soften the Afghan Hound's temperament and succeeded. These beautiful, elegant dogs have a distinctive personality. But they love their family very much and are immensely devoted to it. They can learn poorly because they are independent and stubborn, although they are very smart. Also, do not forget that dogs of this breed require daily and careful grooming in order to look really good.

Goes into the distant past. When and how did it arise? There is a legend in the east, which was recorded by A. Tchaikovsky in 1879. Once King Suleiman ibn Daud (biblical Solomon), according to the command received from the Almighty, ordered all creatures to gather so that each of them could express their needs and desires.

At the call of the king, all the animals gathered, except for the hedgehog. Enraged by the disobedience, Suleiman ibn Daud turned to the assembled animals with the question: "Who will go in search of the disobedient?" Two volunteered - a horse and a dog.

The horse said: "I will find the recalcitrant, but I will not be able to grab him, for that my height is too great and my nostrils are not protected from needles." The dog said: "I am not afraid of the spiky needles, but my muzzle is too wide and I will not be able to push it into the hedgehog's lair if he hides there before I grab it."


After listening to all this, Suleiman replied: "You told the truth. I do not want to disgrace the horse by reducing its height, it would be a bad reward for diligence and obedience. I would rather add beauty to the dog in order to reward it for its shown zeal." Having said this, the king took the dog's face with both hands and stroked it until it became completely thin and sharp. Then everyone present saw that the dog had turned into a slender graceful greyhound. Both volunteers immediately set off in search and soon presented the stubborn hedgehog to the king. Considering obedience and execution of orders to be the highest dignity of every creature, the chosen one of God told the horse and the dog: "From now on you will be companions of man and the first after him in the face of God."

This is a legend, but what do the researchers say about this?

Saluki - the oldest breed, formed in the north of Africa and the Middle East - in Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Egypt and other countries of the North African coast. Saluki occupies an intermediate position between its closest relatives - the North African slyugi greyhound (or servant) from Morocco and Tunisia, the Tuareg greyhound from the southern Sahara, and the African greyhound, both of the plain type (bel-murray) with a thin coat and the long-haired mountain type.

The division of the greyhounds of North Africa, the Near and Middle East into three main breeds (Saluki, Slyugi and Azawakh) is to a certain extent artificial and carried out in a Western manner. For all their variability, eastern greyhounds of different regions often do not differ much from each other - it is quite obvious that they all belong to the same type of dog. There is no doubt that the Central Asian and Kyrgyz taigan also have common ancestors with the Saluki and other greyhounds of the eastern group.

The appearance of a greyhound meant little to its owner: the dog required speed, strong constitution and endurance. The type of coat, eye color and skull width still have little meaning in the eyes of a nomadic hunter.

Eastern, or lop-eared greyhounds belong to a very ancient subgroup of the greyhound group. They are characterized by drooping ears, a tail drooping down with a rigid ring at the end - the last vertebrae often grow together. They can withstand a long chase in hot climates (sometimes reaching speeds of up to 50 km per hour) and although less frisky than western greyhounds, they are more enduring and adapted for running over a greater distance.

Eastern greyhounds search for the animal not only with the help of sight, but also use their instinct. Eastern greyhounds have a calm attitude to the caught animal, near which they wait for the hunter, or even serve him prey.

The ancestors of this breed are most likely from North Africa. In the middle of the 19th century, the opinion prevailed among dog handlers that all greyhounds were descended from the Egyptian hound with large erect ears and a characteristic lean silhouette. Moreover, some researchers were inclined to think that the exterior of this group of dogs was influenced by their possible relationship with the Abyssinian desert wolf (Canis simensis), lean and ankle.

The origins of this type of dog can be traced back to the surviving ancient Egyptian mummies and gravestones. The most ancient mummy of a greyhound dog is more than 9000 years old. In the 7-6 millennium BC. the type of this breed is already fully formed. Their images have been preserved since ancient times, when there were no pharaohs in Egypt yet.

For example, the head of a hound from 6000 - 5000 BC, carved from ivory, has reached us, and its long neck is decorated with a collar. Reflected in the monuments of ancient Egyptian art and hunting scenes - on a bas-relief dating from about 2500 BC, three greyhounds are depicted pursuing a gazelle. On the walls of the tombs were found images of greyhounds of red and red-piebald colors, the collars of which are decorated with precious stones. They were used to hunt antelopes, wild donkeys and hares.

In the classic works of L.P. Sabaneev, published at the end of the 19th century, it is indicated that the homeland of these dogs should be considered Northeast Africa and, above all, Ancient Egypt... According to L.P. Sabaneeva, the ancestor of all modern greyhounds was the legendary namesake - the pharaoh's greyhound, distinguished by large erect ears and a ring-shaped tail.

Wide dispersal of greyhounds to the west by L.P. Sabaneev associated with the migration of the Aryan tribes from the Middle East to Europe, which took place over three thousand years ago, and to the east and south along the African continent a little earlier, thanks to the founding of African colonies by the Phoenicians. Thus, all modern greyhound dogs, according to this scientist, to one degree or another, descended from ancient Egyptian ancestors.

More cautious about the origin of greyhounds was Professor S.N. Bogolyubsky (1959), the largest authority in the field of studying the breed formation of domestic animals - he admitted for the Eurasian greyhounds both the possibility of an independent origin and their emergence from North African forms.

Later researchers agreed that the ancestor of modern greyhound breeds is the Saluki, which was formed among the ancestors of the Arabs in the X-VII millennia BC. Thus, it should be about two different breedsah greyhounds and two centers of their breeding: thesem, with erect ears, originating, perhaps, from Asia Minor, in the deepest antiquity came to Egypt, and the Arabian fold-eared Saluki - to North Africa.

Later, starting from the II millennium BC, thesemus lost their privileged position in Egypt (some, as it is believed, related breeds survived in isolation on some islands of the Mediterranean Sea), and the Salukis with Arab conquerors spread throughout Europe and Central Asia, giving the world almost all the breeds of greyhounds known now. These or similar views on the origin of greyhounds were adhered to by V.I. Kazansky, classic of Soviet cynology A.P. Mazover, as well as a number of Western dog handlers (J.-F. Couraud, H. Glover, E. de la Morena, and others).

The principled separation of the Egyptian greyhound breeding center from the Arabian one, however, seems arbitrary. On ancient Egyptian murals there are sighthound dogs with drooping ears, reminiscent of modern ones. On the other hand, island dogs of the Mediterranean with erect ears (Maltese, Ibiza dogs, etc.), similar to eastern greyhounds, were not necessarily brought there by the Phoenicians. They could have got to these islands together with Arab settlers in the 9th-11th centuries, when the fleets of Muslim states threatened the existence of Byzantium and landed troops on the shores of Italy. Be that as it may, the group of oriental greyhounds, the ancestor of which is now believed to be the Arab Saluki, is one of the oldest surviving to this day.

For the era of late antiquity, the sources about these dogs are few and scattered; at this time, various breeds of western greyhounds are formed, which push the eastern ones into the background. They again entered the wide historical arena at the beginning of the Middle Ages, thanks to the emergence of Islam and the aggressive campaigns of the Arab tribes. The modern name of the breed is also associated with the Arabs.

It is not known exactly where the name "Saluki" came from. Perhaps from the Arabic word for herring, which means to tear the skin. The most plausible, however, seems to be the version according to which the name of the breed originated from the name of the ancient city of Seleucia (in Arabic - Salaukiyya) in present-day Iraq (its ruins are located south of Baghdad). Thus, the Saluki is originally a "Seleucian dog".

The words "saluki" and "slugi" in essence, mean the same thing, only in different dialects. In Persia, as well as in Asia Minor and Central Asia, greyhounds of this type from ancient times were called differently - tazy, tazi.

Most likely, this name is also associated with the Arabs-conquerors, whose troops stationed in these regions bore the name "taji" - crown, from the Arabic "taj" - a crown, crown. In Europe (primarily in Great Britain), the Saluki are also called the gazelle dog and the Persian greyhound.

The Bedouins of the Arabian Peninsula have preserved the ancient breed in their nomads and improved it in the extreme conditions of the desert. Here the excellent hunting qualities of the breed were revealed to the maximum. Rub al-Khali is the most deserted part of these places and the best hunting area, which to this day remains a stronghold of Saluki breeding. Hunting takes place from October to March, when it is quite cool and humid, but best time for her - spring.

Saluki were trained to hunt for a wide variety of prey: jerboas (desert rats), hares, foxes, jackals, wild cats, gazelles, deer, partridges and other birds. They often hunted in cooperation with falcons, when vigilant birds tracked down their prey and circled above it, and swift-footed greyhounds hurried to their target, sometimes many kilometers away, while the hunter followed them on a horse or camel. Bedouins used a mixture of henna and vegetable oil to strengthen the feet of hunting dogs - this was necessary in the hot rocky desert.

Among the nomadic Arabs, the Saluki were always surrounded by love and veneration. One of the Muslim jurists even made a special explanation that Muslim prohibitions do not apply to Salukis. In any case, the eastern greyhounds from ancient times were considered by Muslims to be "pure" animals, in contrast to herding dogs.

The name dog ("al qalb") was never used in relation to them. They were called "al hur", which means "pure", "noble". Greyhounds enjoyed special privileges in the Muslim world: after stroking the saluki, an orthodox Muslim can then sit on a prayer rug or go to prayer in a mosque, having performed only those ablutions that he wishes. At the same time, he does not lose his bodily purity, as it happens when in contact with things or animals that are considered unclean - for example, with a dog of any other breed.

A greyhound dog was valued no less than a wife or a horse, and not without reason - after all, often a hunting dog was the breadwinner of the family. It was considered unacceptable to leave the Saluki on the street or lay it on the ground. They were allowed to live in the same dwelling with a person - on the female half of the tent, in a special place, fenced off by a curtain, where the saluki lay on a soft mat.

In cities, special platforms were built for the Saluki over the rooftops of houses so that they could rest in the cool and not be bothered by insects. The Saluki were surrounded by the special care of women who sewed them warm blankets for the winter and light raincoats that protected them from overheating and flies for the summer, and women often fed orphaned puppies with their own milk.

The death of a beloved dog was perceived as a great grief, and the Saluki could change the owner only in one case - if the dog was presented as a valuable gift. Selling saluki was not accepted - they were given only to friends or relatives, but with the right to receive any gift in return.

Since it was believed that the saluki were given to people by Allah for entertainment and benefit, they always occupied a privileged position in the Arab world - they were allowed, for example, to eat the same food as the owner. The greyhounds' food was nutritious and light, consisted mainly of meat. In addition, the Arabs gave them a nutritious mixture of dates pounded into dough and camel milk.

Animals caught by the Saluki were considered acceptable for consumption by devout Muslims, unless the Saluki themselves tried to eat them; while referring to the following hadith (a statement by Muhammad, recognized as a guide for a true Muslim):

"Abu Hurayrah says that the Messenger of Allah said:" If someone maintains a dog, excluding a shepherd, hunting or guard dog, he must deduct daily kirat (small coin) from his property in return. And so - with respect to anyone who maintains a dog not for hunting or guarding the herd. Hunting for the purpose of earning a living, earning income or sustenance is permitted. But this is undesirable if it is done solely for recreation or entertainment. It is permissible to use any dog \u200b\u200bor other animal suitable for hunting for this.

However, two conditions must be met. First: all dogs should be released from the leash with the words "In the name of Allah!"; and second: the dog, thus released, must be taught the rules of hunting, but if the dog begins to eat the caught animal, such an animal becomes illegal for humans, even if it was previously legal. "

In ancient times, poems and songs were composed about the Saluki. One of the earliest mentions of the Arab greyhound can be found in poems composed by Abu Nuwas, a ninth century Arab poet. In one of the poems of Abu Nuwas, written in honor of the Saluki, he describes her remarkable qualities:

How can I glorify the Salukian who belongs to me?
His hunting luck will never run away from him!
All the goodies I have, my hunting trophies
His merit and prey, my guest is fed up with his labors.
When, throwing away the slumber, my dog \u200b\u200bgoes hunting -
Gazelles tremble in terror, the deer trembles in despair ...

In other brilliant lines, Abu Nuwas describes the movements of the greyhound:

So she flew like an arrow,
As if she wanted to get out of her own skin;
Like the lightest cloud in the blue of the sky
A weightless body swept over the ground.

The memoirs of the Syrian emir Osama ibn-Munkiz, a contemporary of Saladin and Richard the Lionheart, provide interesting information about hunting from the Saluki during the Crusades. In his Book of Edification, he devotes a separate section to the description of various interesting cases on the hunt, which he witnessed throughout his long life.

The passion for hunting was passed on to Osama from his father Murshid, an avid hunter and dog lover. Every second day he devoted entirely to hunting, thinking it over like a military campaign - up to forty servants, numerous dogs, hunting birds and cheetahs performed with him. "My father," writes Osama, "organized the hunt as if it were a battle or some other important matter. None of the participants was distracted by conversations with their comrades, their only concern was to spot an animal or a bird ... When we left the gates of the city , we had all the equipment for hunting - nets, bows, shovels and hooks for tearing holes.With us were hunting birds of various breeds, as well as cheetahs and dogs ... None of the rangers, grooms or squires was allowed to lag behind and hesitate in chasing game ".

The dogs of medieval feudal lords, like the Bedouin dogs, often hunted in conjunction with hunting birds. Here is how Osama describes one of the ways of such a hunt: “Emir Shihab ad-Din, the ruler of the Jabara fortress, gave my father a dog trained to let gazelles under a falcon. She showed us amazing things.

Hunting with falcons happens this way. First, the "first" is lowered, it grabs the gazelle's ear and beats it with its wings. Then the "assistant" is released, which attacks another gazelle, and the second "assistant" - on the third, in the same way they release the fourth falcon, and each of the "assistants" attacks one gazelle from the herd. The "first" continues to hit its gazelle, while the others drive the rest away from it and leave them. The dog follows flying falcons and attacks only the gazelle on which it sees a sitting falcon. "

The world is changing, the way of life of the Bedouins is changing, but they still have an ardent commitment to hunting and Saluki hunting dogs. The fate of this breed in different countries The Middle East is different. Saluki has been highly regarded for centuries and continues to be appreciated today. Even in countries where hunting is prohibited by law, nevertheless, Salukis are highly valued and in constant demand: the Bedouin may not have work and land, but considers it a matter of honor to have a great hunting dog.

The fate of the purebred greyhounds of Saudi Arabia was happy. In the interior regions of the country, some of the tribes still lead a patriarchal lifestyle. To this it must be added that hunting and breeding greyhounds remain an indicator of nobility and well-being for city dwellers, who are often ready to shell out any amount for a purebred puppy of a renowned line. For example, the Jordanian King Abdallah and the King of Saudi Arabia Ibn Said (1880-1953) were connoisseurs and connoisseurs of this breed.

But not everywhere the attitude towards greyhounds remained so favorable. In Israel, for example, the situation of the Saluki and their masters can be called disastrous. Hunting with greyhounds and hounds is prohibited in Israel. The police shot many dogs that the Bedouin hunted illegally. Current situation Israeli Bedouins are similar to that occupied by the indigenous peoples who have been pushed back onto the reservation. Many of them were unable to adapt to modern conditions life. Unburdened by constant work, they freely dispose of their time, engaging in poaching.

The hunters stopped spending whole days on horseback under the scorching sun. They drive off to a place where no one will see how they set their dogs on a hare or a gazelle. Hunting is done mainly for sporting interests and in order to compete, whose dog is faster.

Shotguns are not used. Judging by the story of the Bedouin Sultan Abu Rekiek from Tell Sheba, hunters still strictly adhere to ancient customs: “We can hunt all night. we give the meat to the dogs. "

The first Saluki entered Europe along with the Knights-Crusaders, but mixed with other greyhounds. In the 19th century, Salukis began to be exported to Europe from Syria, and in 1840 Hamilton Smith brought several Salukis from Persia to England, where they were displayed as exotic animals in London's Regent Park. In 1874 the breed was first mentioned in the Kennel Club studbook and calendar under the name "Persian Greyhound". In 1897, Florence, daughter of the English Egyptologist Emherst Hackney, took up the breed seriously. Florence fell in love with this breed while traveling with her father to the East. At her request, Colonel W. Jennings-Bramley brought from Egypt two puppies, which he chose from the Sheikh of the Tahavi tribe in the Egyptian desert of Salih.

At an exhibition in Europe, the Saluki appeared in 1900 under the name "gazelle dog". In England, the Saluki were recognized as a breed in 1923, after Brigadier General F.F. Lanz introduced a black and tan male named Sarona Kelb and a piebald bitch Sarona Rizkhan brought from Iraq. In 1927, the breed was recognized in the United States. In 1954 a club of Arabian horse lovers was organized in Europe, which at the same time became a club of Saluki lovers. In England, more than a hundred dogs were shown in the rings at that time, which were of different types, since they came from different regions of their vast homeland. They were conventionally divided into small, medium and large, as well as long-haired and smooth-haired.

In Russia, in 1887, at an exhibition in Moscow, Saluki (tazy) Grumis was presented, which received a silver medal. This greyhound came from the dogs of the Teke Khan. However, breeding of the breed in our country began only in the 1990s after the import of European-bred Saluki.

It was on the basis of the European population that the modern saluki standard was formed; Believe it or not, many real, indigenous populations of Eastern Greyhounds that do not meet this standard are not recognized by the Kennel Clubs that exist today.

Kirill Retz

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