November 2000

MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS

This year, I have had the great fortune to present the Saluki standard to current and prospective judges from coast to coast, either in seminars or ring side mentoring. In discussion afterward several points of confusion have come to light.

A common question concerned which of the varying types of Salukis would be correct. Some attendees wanted a more directed presentation, with a clear idea of what qualifies as a "correct" Salukis. Others asked about problems I felt faced Salukis today. Giving this some thought, and after discussion with other long-time breeders, we find these items closely linked in concept. This column seemed an appropriate venue to toss bring up some of these ideas and hope for discussion. To cover the subject as thoroughly as possible, we will use two columns.

Desert type seems to mean different things to different people. I’ve heard heavier built Salukis identified in this fashion, and also more delicately formed. "Desert bred" itself is a sort of catch-all term, used to identify those Salukis coming from those countries, mostly middle eastern, designated as countries of origin for the breed. The terrain in some of these areas is largely desert but some are humid and heavily cultivated; some are mountainous, as has always been the case. Because there was no single area of origin, there was also no single original type Saluki. An argument could be made for Desert vs. Mountain "type," bringing oneself into more obscure discussions.

For a smooth. The Saluki standard is extremely clear on what sets a smooth apart from a feathered: "The smooth variety; in this variety, the points should be the same with the exception of the coat, which has no feathering." Even so, we continue to hear a dog has a good shoulder, head, or fill of chest "for a smooth." Perhaps, in the opinion of the speaker, the smooth in question might have the best shoulder, head, chest they had personally seen on a smooth. But evaluating quality in relationship to coat pattern (or color) is an insult to the breed and those who framed our standard. Winners Dog and Bitch at the 1999 SCO National were both smooth, and the bitch went on to Best Opposite Sex over a lovely entry of champion bitches.

Heavily feathered Salukis are only good for showing. The tendency to grow hair is genetic; the profusion of coat on some Salukis has more to do with special care taken by their owners than anything else. The amount of coat has no relationship to a Saluki’s ability to perform, though during a coursing season some feathering might be lost to underbrush. Judging a Saluki’s quality according to coat type or abundance is contrary to the intent of the framers of our standard. Both varieties are meant to compete on a level playing field, with no allowances to be made according to the coat type.

We will continue this discussion in the next column.

 

Monica Henderson Stoner
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