### A Bark from a Lost Time: The Race to Save Tunisia's Native Saluki

On the windswept shores of Ras Angela, Tunisia's northernmost point, veterinarian Olfa Obeid walks along the surf with her three graceful companions: Namsha, Zina, and Zweena. They are not just pets; they are living relics, elegant examples of the native Tunisian Saluki, a breed whose ancient lineage is now perilously close to disappearing. As they dart across the sand, their slender frames cutting through the morning mist, they represent a vital piece of the nation's cultural heritage—a heritage that a dedicated group of conservationists is now fighting to protect from extinction.

### A Bark from a Lost Time: The Race to Save Tunisia's Native Saluki

"The Saluki is part

of our memory, our history," says Obeid, 49, as she embraces her dogs. "We must protect it now that it's threatened, because it is a cultural legacy from our old way of life, from our origins."

This "noble breed," as it is often called, has been a companion to the people
of North Africa for millennia. Its likeness, characterized by a slim, athletic
build, a long neck, an arched back, and a finely chiseled head, is
immortalized in ancient Roman mosaics found across Tunisia, depicting
vibrant hunting scenes.

While its exact origins are debated, the Saluki is inextricably linked to the nomadic Bedouin tribes, such as the Marazig of southern Tunisia, who have valued the dog for centuries.

More than just an animal

the Saluki was an indispensable partner in the harsh desert environment. It was a peerless hunter, capable of spotting and running down game, and a vigilant guardian of livestock.

Its intelligence and loyalty were celebrated in poetry and immortalized in
proverbs still used today, such as, "What the wolf is thinking, the Saluki
already knows," a testament to its sharp intuition. In a culture where dogs
were often considered unclean ("najis")

the Saluki was granted a unique and honored status. It was the only animal permitted inside the family tent, often sharing meals with its owner and being treated with a reverence typically reserved for family.

Today, however

the very genetic integrity of the breed is threatened. The advance of urbanization has eroded the nomadic lifestyle that sustained the Saluki, but a more immediate danger is rampant cross-breeding.

To produce faster dogs for racing, some breeders have been introducing
foreign sighthound bloodlines, particularly from Spain and Algeria. This
practice, while creating faster hybrids, is diluting and erasing the distinct
characteristics of the pure Tunisian Saluki.

The "Central Canine Society

of Tunisia," a national kennel club, estimates that fewer than 200 purebred Tunisian Salukis remain in the country. "The hybrid breeds have multiplied and negatively impacted the Tunisian Saluki," confirms Nabil Marzouki, a breeder from the southern city of Douz who inherited the tradition from his ancestors.

In response, the Central Canine Society has launched a meticulous, multi-year
endeavor to save the breed. Noureddine Ben Shahida Al-Batri, the society's
president, explains that the project aims to "stabilize the Tunisian Saluki
breed according to international standards.

" This involves a rigorous, scientific approach in line with the regulations of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the world's governing body for dog breeds.

The first step

is establishing a precise standard defining the Saluki's morphological and behavioral traits. Experts, veterinarians, and international observers will then identify, register, and document individual dogs that perfectly match this standard.

These select dogs will enter a controlled breeding program, with their lineage
tracked for at least three generations to ensure genetic stability, good health
and the uniqueness of the breed. Upon successful completion, the society will
submit a formal application to the FCI for official recognition of the Tunisian
Saluki as a distinct native breed, securing its place and protection on the
world stage.

For enthusiasts like Hatem Besrour, a 30-year-old agricultural engineer, this initiative is a crucial defense against what he calls the "destruction of our genetic heritage.

" Cradling his own Saluki, Kakawat, he urges fellow breeders to participate. "The Saluki is our heritage," he insists. "Just as we care for our monuments and archaeological sites, we must care for it."

My Egypt

### A Bark from a Lost Time: The Race to Save Tunisia's Native Saluki