AKC Gazette Articles
February 2000
SALUKI EDUCATION
In a bygone era, when life was possibly lived at a slower
pace, those who wished to learn about a breed of dog
could do so by apprenticing themselves to an expert,
or by finding a mentor willing to take them under wing. One would spend hours
in discussion, at a kennel or ringside, until the breed was understood in depth.
Whether we don’t have available experts, or whether people no longer
have the necessary time to invest, breed education is now the responsibility
of the
parent clubs.
The Saluki Club of America approaches education as a multi faceted undertaking.
Depending upon the needs of those seeking knowledge, SCOA offers introductory
breed information; in depth historical and/or health data; and study groups for
judges and breeders who seek a greater knowledge of our ancient hounds.
Introductory information is available
on the SCOA web page, from the Public Education chair, the
Desert Bred Education Committee, and through the Breeder
Referral
Committee. On a direct level, local breed clubs such as San Angeles Saluki
Club and Saluki Club of Greater San Francisco participate in large Pet
Fairs, setting
up a booth to introduce the public to the Saluki. By the end of these three
day events, volunteers can explain the difference between skinny and lean
in their
sleep and the public knows the basic requirements for Saluki ownership.
In October, SCOA, in partnership with San Angeles Saluki Club,
put on the first
annual “Day
of the Saluki, Sighthound of the Desert,” to benefit the Kellogg
Arabian Horse Library of the California Polytechnic University. Although
not much
time had been given for preparation, an enthusiastic group pulled together
to produce
an introduction to our breed. Many attendees were Arabian horse breeders,
and some had owned Salukis in the past.
Some activities offered were an introduction to the history of the breed, giving
a frame of reference to the age of the Saluki breed relative to events in the
history of civilization; videos Saluki activities in the field; preliminary lure
training using a pole and bag; and a demonstration of Salukis in. Although the
only a small number of people attended, the event proved an excellent training
exercise for future seminars of this sort.
Future events featuring Saluki Education
include: Judge Education has made plans for the presentation
of the Saluki Standard at the March 2000
Dallas/Fort
Worth
Shows. At the 2000 National Specialty in Lexington in June the Desert
Bred Education Committee plans a tenth annual exhibition of Country
of Origin
descendants; Breed/Health
education will address the Care of the Athletic Sighthound; the Judge
Education Committee will hold ringside mentoring and a Judge’s Study Group, similar
to last year’s. July 2000 Astro Hall will be the location of
a study of the original strains of Saluki, and their effect on the
modern
breed.
The Western
Regional Specialty, held in the San Francisco area October 20, 2000
also plans a judge/breeder seminar.
We are fortunate in Salukis to have two independent breed publications (The Classic
Saluki and Saluki International) as well as a comprehensive web page and a two
quarterly newsletters (Saluki Club of America and American Saluki Association).
At the local breed level, there are fifteen current Saluki clubs, some extremely
active. There are also clubs specifically involved in Saluki coursing, either
lure or open field, whose members are eager to share specialized information
with anyone interested in learning.
For more information about any of the above, please contact this writer, or go
to the Saluki Club of America web page. If you want this column to address any
aspect of the Saluki in the future, please let me know.
Monica Henderson Stoner
15762 E Fellowship
AKC Gazette Articles
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