Slugs

Slyugi is an ancient breed, based on rock paintings in Tunisia , where greyhounds are shown with hanging ears, their appearance refers to the period from 7000 to 5000 years BC. er Egyptian monuments depicting possible ancestors of slyugi are more than 3000 years old, and in 1908 mummies of slyugi were discovered in Egypt. The ancestors of the slyugi probably originated from the territories of the Middle East . The indigenous population of Algeria , Tunisia, Libya and Morocco until the seventh century AD, when the arrival of the Arab tribes ousted them from these territories. Therefore, the true creators of the breed believe the Berbers ^[1] . But the history of these dogs is closely connected with the nomadic Bedouins of North Africa, who had a great influence on the formation of the characteristic features of the breed ^[2] .

The first European to describe the slyugs was the French general and writer Melchior Doma (1803–1871), who visited Algeria in 1835. At home, he said that the slugs were kept in Bedouin tents, they were warmed with blankets, decorated with jewels, fed only with the best meat. If necessary, women fed puppies with their breast milk. Dogs were perceived as family members, they were mourned after death ^{[2] [3]} . The Bedouins bred only purebred slyugi, and the Muslim tradition was a pledge of this: the dog in Islam is an “unclean” animal and cannot live near a person, the privilege of living with people was given only to a greyhound. If the slugs mated with an ordinary dog, it also became unclean and expelled. Purebred puppies were left no more than two or three of the litter, choosing the strongest ^[4] .

The ears of dogs were usually cut so that the beast could not grab the dog by its vulnerable spot while hunting for a jackal or a boar. In some Tunisian communities, it is also believed that trimming the ears improves hearing and protects dogs from the bites of flies. Dogs' legs were stigmatized , henna was painted over their bodies and legs. Henna decoration and branding are also practiced in our time: henna is considered useful for dog bones, lowering paws in henna is considered protection from the "evil eye." Horizontal lines, applied by branding on the inside of the front legs, according to legend, increase the strength of the dog ^[2] .

The first slyugi came to France from Algeria ^[5] in the second half of the XIX century. At the beginning of the 20th century, dogs from Tunisia and Algeria were brought to Germany and Holland . In 1925, the French Borzoi Association published the first official breed standard ^{[1] [2]} .

The Second World War virtually destroyed dog breeding in Europe. Interest in the breed was revived in the 1960s and the slugs were brought back from North Africa. But by this time the breed had almost disappeared in the original territories. Borzoi hunting in the French African territories, as in Europe , was banned, dogs could only be used to protect herds, and the population stopped caring for the cleanliness of the slyugi’s blood. The number of slyugi decreased to a critical one: in the 1970s the number of purebred dogs was estimated at 210 heads ^[6] . Algeria and Morocco have restricted the export of syluga abroad, and modern stock has been formed in Africa, Europe and the United States relatively independently, based on the available producers ^[1] .

The International Canine Federation recognized its slyugi in 1934, and Morocco was recognized as the country that patronized the breed at the IFF, in which the number of purebred slyugi was the highest. The modern edition of the breed standard was approved in 1998 ^[7] . In the United States, the breed was recognized in 1997 ^[8] , and in the UK, in 2002 ^[1] .

The shape of the slyugi is similar to other Arabian greyhounds - Saluki and Azawakh . Due to this similarity and similar designation, sometimes slyugi are confused with the short-haired variety Saluki , however, studies of mitochondrial DNA have shown that these are different breeds ^{[2] [4]} .

Slugs are high-legged dogs (the extension index is 0.96 ^{[7] [9]} ) with strong bones, muscular, but fairly light, graceful and majestic. The head is elongated, wedge-shaped, slightly pointed muzzle with powerful jaws equal in length to the skull. Ears are triangular, drooping, with rounded tips. The eyes are large, oval, dark, slightly sad. Neck slender, gracefully curved, without dewlap. The chest is narrow, with a protruding anterior part, the abdomen is strongly tucked up, the back is even ^{[2] [7]} . The thin long tail is an extension of the back, twisted at the end into a ring and never rises above the back in motion. It is this tail that serves as an excellent balance and provides fantastic maneuverability at high speeds. The movements of the slyugi resemble those of a cheetah, another predator adapted to the rapid pursuit of game in the desert ^[10] .

The skin of the slyugi is very thin, tight to the body, so that the relief of the skeleton and muscles. The coat is short, smooth and thin. Such covers have minimal weight and aerodynamic resistance at high speeds, and at the same time contribute to better heat dissipation. The fur is practically absent on the lower part of the chest and abdomen ^[10] .

The color of all shades of red - from light sand to reddish. Allowed black coloring in the form of a mask, tigrovosti, extensive cheprak, veils. White spots are not allowed, with the exception of a small white speck on the chest ^{[2] [7]} .

Slyugi traditionally lived in close proximity to the host family and were used not only as hunting, but also as guard dogs. Watchdog qualities were fixed as a breed trait, and the slyugi are extremely distrustful of strangers, although with family members they are gentle and loyal ^[2] . Dogs prefer luxury and comfort, but, like other inhabitants of the desert, are hardy and accustomed to deprivation, although due to the thin skin they do not tolerate cold. The independent, somewhat detached character of the slyugi is characteristic of greyhounds. These dogs will not obediently perform tricks and commands on the orders of the owner, if this does not apply to hunting. Slugs may seem disobedient, but they are rather very selective, and will be keenly listening to the host’s clues while hunting ^[10] . Slugs need sufficient space and movement, play with their relatives with pleasure, do not like societies of other domestic animals ^[4] .

Dogs of this breed are used for hunting small and large game - hare, fenek, gazelle, wild boar. Slugs can guard herds and dwellings. A straight back does not allow the slyugi to run their hind legs far forward while running, as the greyhound does, but the slyugi are capable of unimaginably sharp and sharp turns and a long run. Slyugi - promising athletes compete in the course and dog races. Can be contained as companions ^{[2] [4]} .

Slugs are usually healthy dogs. Responsible breeders check their livestock for the presence of such genetic diseases as progressive retinal atrophy. Ears of slyugi should be checked regularly for signs of infection, and teeth should be cleaned frequently to avoid the formation of tartar and oral diseases. Regular visits to the veterinarian for inspection and prevention of parasites help the dog to have a long, healthy life ^[11] .