FASCINATING ARTICLE FOR SALUKI LOVERS

On recent stays in the Gulf I have had quite amazing experiences in meeting, and having my hands on, not just one Saluki with a Natural short tail.

Whilst not numerous, they are accepted as a normal part of the breed in the countries of origin around the Middle East.

Over the years I think I have heard a catalogue of explanations from Western breeders as to why Salukis sometimes have puppies with short tails. After all, it is not something Westerners generally like to accept in their idea of an otherwise 'perfect' Saluki. Most are a little upset to have a puppy present with a short taiI and think of it as having been broken in utero or damaged as a youngster. I have one Australian contact who can become quite agitated when breeders produce pups with naturally short tails and who openly tries to dissuade people from using the 'suspect' Saluki for breeding. It is in their opinion, a genetic abberation. I guess until now, we really knew no different J

I have been finding out first hand, that YES it is genetic ! It is a dominant gene. NO, it is NOT considered an abberation, by the traditional Saluki breeders of the Arab nations, and those who hunt with them.

My first introduction to these short tailed Salukis was receiving photographs from a friend in Bahrain, in May 2006. They were 3 pups only just out of Saudi Arabia and had been brought to his notice, and photographs were taken.

This Short tailed variety had first come into my friend's family many years ago when one was received as a gift. At that time, it was assumed by my friend's family [as we might do] that an accident had befallen the tail, and so no thought had been given to the possible genetic properties. When the Saluki was duly bred to a full tailed Saluki, some pups in the litter - you guessed it - arrived with naturally short tails. For him to see a car with 3 short tailed youngsters in it, was of some interest to him, and he understood the interest it could possibly invoke with other Saluki people around the world.

Above - May 2006 - the pups that arrived from Saudi Arabia. The tails on all 3 were approximately the same length. Just less than half the 'normal' tail length we usually see in the Western World.

Imagine my surprise and delight to meet more Short Tailed Salukis on my visit to the Gulf March 2008! When I arrived for that visit early in 2008, my introduction to some short-tailed hounds I am sure, was watched with amusement as well as wondering what I would make of them !

The first two I encountered were a brother and sister. They had originated in Qatar. With the kind invitation of their owner, I was able to visit with these two and put my hands on them. I was able to photograph the pair and given permission to reproduce their pictures here. I was also sent the photograph just below by the owner for my use in this article. The dog, is a medium sized boy. Upstanding and handsome, a bright foxy red, he has by far, the shortest tail I could imagine. I am assured there are occasionally dogs with even less tail than this!

This next is the black and tan sister to the dog above. She was rather more reserved than her brother, and so not as co-operative in having her photo taken.

This bitch below I need you to know is photographed @ 17½ years old. Standing up in show pose wasn't going to happen, bless her.

BELOW - the tails of the 3 Salukis I actually saw and handled during June/July 2008

I have since had the good fortune to speak on more than one occasion, with traditional hunters, both young and older, about these Natural Short Tailed Salukis and how they performed in hunting/coursing.

It appears that generally speaking, they are very good with hare, rabbit and small animals. Every bit as agile as the accepted 'normal' Saluki. That everyone I spoke with was aware, they are considered to be perhaps not as "handy" in the coursing of gazelle and larger quarry. It seemed to be very much universally accepted that the Short Tail / Natural Bob tailed Salukis did not display the endurance of the 'normal' Saluki. They are considered sprinters rather than endurance runners. You have to consider that some Gazelle courses can cover immense distances over the desert, of 4-5 kms and more.

Short Tailed Salukis are not in huge numbers in their own countries, but considered a well worthwhile addition to the breed. However, it seems to me, they are in larger numbers than Western Breeders experience with the incidence of smooth puppies in a full feathered mating/breeding.

After discussions with Arab breeders, I am promised up-dates with anything further of the Natural Short Tails so that I can include more information and photographs here, as time progresses. I am currently in discussions with one man who has bought a Short Tailed bitch, with a litter. ** On a future visit to the Gulf, I am assured I can visit and take photos. **

I now have a network of Arab hunters looking out for incidences of this feature especially for me, and I will be doing a full scale study on each subsequent visit I make to the Middle East.

Since my release of this article I am receiving a lot of interesting data regarding the incidence of Short Tailed Salukis which came to the West from the desert, many years ago. I will seek permission to use some of the information to expand on this interesting subject.

{** The photographs on this page are displayed with the full permission of the owners of the dogs, and/or the photographer. They are copyright.}

I have received a surprising amount of feedback on this article. One very interesting fact that is coming through is that one or two short tailed Salukis were imported into the United States between the 40's and 70's. Most notably owned by the "Billa de Esta" kennels, and others were owned by Martee Bradley of "Mar T's" Salukis. Martee Bradley held notes and articles on the incidence of short tails, these records were sent to a friend of Martee, on Martee's death. Siblings of some short tailed Salukis from these kennels became show champions. One of the articles was written during the 70's by a lady called Eugenia Kissinger, a well known US Saluki personality. They were published in a prominent Saluki magazine of the time. I am hoping to be sent a copy of this article in order to glean more information of the Salukis involved.

Dropped into my email box by a friend - straight from Saudi Arabia - on Dec 5th 2008

The cream dog top left, is a grand-son of the grizzle dog in the photo above.

[The dam of the cream dog, is also short-tailed - his sire has a normal length tail.]

The red dog to the left here - is un-related.

During December of 2008, I was back in the Gulf. During this visit, I was lucky enough to be invited to see the short tailed pups from the litter mentioned above.

I hope you will enjoy the photos once I have readied them for inclusion. They are 'candid' shots. These Salukis are not brought up to 'stack' like showdogs. Half the litter were born with short tails [like their dam.]

18th January 2009

this photograph was emailed to me from Saudi Arabia.

This grizzle boy is the son of the cream dog just above to the left.

10th May 2009

Knowing of my keen interest in finding out more,

this photo sent by her owner right here in Australia.

This sweet Saluki bitch came into the rescue system

and now lives with the rescue co-ordinator.

Her owner finds nothing of note to differentiate her from other Salukis

More Photographs of Short Tailed Salukis will be included as they come to hand, that I hope will illustrate that other than their tail length, they are perfectly 'normal' Salukis.