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Morocco: Country where the Standard is kept
The F.C.I, the worldwide Federation of National Dog Clubs, cites
Morocco as
the breed's homeland. The standard is kept in Rabat, Morocco.
Photo: Thomas Kosmalsky
The Sloughi" is the North Africa Sighthound but is also
called the Arabian sighthound, the noble hunting companion of the
Berbers. The countries of origin of the Sloughi are considered
to be Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. The
Sloughi came to the Maghreb with nomadic Arabs who used to hunt
gazelles, rabbits, foxes, jackals, and wild pigs. The Sloughi
is a grateful long-distance runner with great endurance and speed.
Below: Photo Ermine Moreau-Sipiere 
"Gone are the days of the great sultans and sheiks who,
until the beginning of this century, had in their service famous
Sloughi kennels of 60 animals with the corresponding horses and
a host of servants. The hunting prohibitions of the twentieth century
in Morocco resulted in a near repression of the breed"
(Windhunde by I. & E. Schritt).
However, during a trip to Morocco in May 1997, where I have
been invited by His Majesty King Hassan II of Morocco (to whom we
have sold several Arabian horses), as the representative of the
Sloughi in the USA and as the President of the ASLA (the American
Sloughi Association, Inc.), I had the opportunity to talk
about this breed with Authorities such as the "Minister of Agriculture
of Morocco", the "Governor of the Province of Setat", and Dr. Abderrahim
el Baroudi, President of the "Societe Centrale Canine Marocaine"
and President of the "Club Marocain du Sloughi". The latter
assured me that the number of Sloughis in this Country is growing
(10,000 in 1997!) despite the mortal enemies as the epidemics, the
years of dryness, the poverty of the owners, the lack of hospitality
of the environment and during the French occupation, the right of
shooting a Sloughi on sight (if hunting) by the French and Moroccan
administrations.
Photo: Thomas Kosmalsky
Since 1984, at the special Sloughi meetings in the breeding
areas, organized by the "Club Marocain du Sloughi", 300 to 500 Sloughis
are inspected. "The Country is large and the passion for the
Sloughi deeply rooted".
Photo: Dr. Abderrahim El Baroudi, taken
in the area of Safi (South of Morocco)
In Morocco, the Sloughi is raised
all over the Country but especially in the area of Had Court and
Chemaia. The traditions are kept from father to son. The board members
of the "Club Marocain du Sloughi" go very often to visit the breeders,
with their 4x4 vehicles, to access to the areas difficult to reach.
The dogs are vaccinated for free by the Official Veterinary Services
of Morocco...
Photos: Thomas Kosmalsky
Photo: Ermine Moreau-Sipiere
Photo: Ermine Moreau-Sipiere
Photo: Ermine Moreau-Sipiere
Photo: Ermine Moreau-Sipiere
The Minister and the President congratulating the author
for her dedication and work with the Sloughi in USA (Morocco
- May 1997).
Photo: TV reporter.
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Copyright (c) 1997
by Ermine Moreau-Sipiere. All rights reserved.
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