Iricho de Moreau   (Photo E. Moreau-Sipiere).   

MOROCCO,

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 graceful 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

Photos:  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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Tel: (903) 348-5792   
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