Saluki enthusiasts from around the world participated in the week long Festival of the Saluki held in England between 31^st August and 8^th September. Countries represented at the event included Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates, with the USA making up the largest overseas contingent.

The festival opened at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire where, courtesy of the City of Birmingham Canine Society, Salukis were given special consideration at its Championship show including spacious indoor accommodation and catering facilities. The large show ring was decorated with coloured bunting and beautiful floral arrangements and the atmosphere was very much that of a breed club show rather than of a general Championship Show. Indeed most people seemed oblivious of the latter.

Reena Clark, judging an entry of 98, awarded Best of Breed to Copperthwaite’s Al Caliphs Zobeyni and the Bitch CC to Allan and Mahon’s Jazirat Zakiyyah giving both their championship titles.

Jesus College Cambridge, founded in 1496 and occupying the site of a Benedictine convent which came into existence in the mid 1140s, some sixty years before the University, was the venue for the following day’s breed symposium when a large international audience was addressed by six speakers. Dr Gertrude Hinsch, Professor Emeritus of the University of South Florida, microbiologist and Saluki breeder gave a fascinating presentation of the origins of the Saluki based on recent findings in molecular biology. She was followed by Brian Duggan, also from the USA, who traced by way of significant imports of Salukis between 1895 and 1946 the foundations of the Saluki in the western world. The morning session concluded with Carole Tipler from New Zealand who presented detailed results of a survey she had conducted to determine whether in the opinion and experience of owners of both coat varieties there is any difference between smooth and feathered Salukis.

Following an excellent buffet lunch, Lesley Brabyn from the USA addressed the topic of how Saluki function can be evaluated in the absence of open field coursing. Ute Lennartz from Germany then provided a Saluki breeder’s perspective on artificial insemination, and the UK’s Zola Rawson drew comparisons between successful show Salukis of the past and those of today.

Despite the wide ranging topics presented, a central theme emerged strongly from the presentations: the functional importance of structural moderation in the Saluki and the need to retain this quality.

A lively panel discussion of various questions from the audience followed and the end of the formal proceedings of the day was marked by cream tea on the superbly tended lawns of Jesus College. Delegates then had the opportunity to enjoy a punt ride and this proved extremely popular with overseas visitors who filled three 12 person punts and joined other tourists on the River Cam for a most interesting guided tour of the Cambridge University colleges.

Drinks and a candlelit dinner served in the college rounded off a full, varied and most interesting day.

The Northern Saluki Club Championship Show held on Sunday 2nd September at Clay Cross, Chesterfield provided a change of location. The show’s famously welcoming and friendly atmosphere provided an ideal context for informal meeting and discussion and also shopping at the many stalls set out in its ‘market square’.

From an entry of 115 Salukis Beryl Payne found her Best of Breed in Ham and Hadfield’s Australian import Ch. Baghdad Foreign Affair of Lokhandar, Reserve Best in Show Smith’s Caryna Zenith and Best Bitch William’s Ch Kasaque Luzhana.

The show concluded with a very ample bring-and-share buffet.

The NSC held a breed symposium the following day at the historic Hassop Hall whose fascinating history dates back 900 years and has been linked to only five families since its inclusion in the Domesday Book. With the beautiful and tranquil setting of the Derbyshire Peak district as a backdrop it proved such a splendid and luxurious venue that, as one American visitor wryly commented, it was worth the trip there simply to visit the ladies bathroom.

Sir Terence Clarke, Arabist, diplomat and former British Embassador to Iraq, set the tone of the day with his meticulously researched and wonderfully illustrated history of the Saluki from its origins in the East until today. Clair Cryssolor from the USA followed with an entertaining and informative account of the history of coursing.

After a superb lunch in the elegant dining room, Ingrid Romanowski from Canada explored with the aid of numerous illustrations various interpretations of breed type and finally Carole Tipler from New Zealand discussed the dramatic changes in various breeds as a result of fashions in the show ring and the threat posed to the Saluki by similar trends. Once again the dominant theme of the presentations was the need to preserve the structural moderation which is the hallmark of the functional Saluki.

The afternoon concluded with refreshments.

On the following two days of the festival there was the opportunity to see the exhibition of Saluki art at the Kennel Club in London and various Saluki breeders generously welcomed visitors at open days and garden parties, providing the opportunity for further informal discussion and interaction. Many overseas visitors took the opportunity of some free time for sightseeing and shopping.

Festival Thursday saw another change of location. Courtesy of Richmond Show Society, the Saluki or Gazelle Hound Club held its Championship show at Loseley Park, near Guildford, Surrey, the grounds of the 500 year old stately home, Loseley Hall. This most attractive venue bathed in bright sunshine represented the best of the British summer show scene. Accommodated in the spacious group judging ring under an airy canopy, conditions were perfect, and a pleasant, relaxed garden party atmosphere prevailed.

Dog judge Ken Allan awarded Best Dog from an entry of 68 to Clarke’s Ch Nefisa Baaz of Rhazias, which went on to win Best in Show and after an excellent buffet lunch courtesy of The Saluki Magazine Bo Bengston from the USA founds his best bitch, from an entry of 79, in Hudson’s Glenoak Izadi.

The show concluded at around 6pm and many exhibitors stayed locally for Richmond Championship Show the following day at the same venue. Tessa Abbott judged an entry of 110 and awarded the dog and bitch CCs respectively to Copperthwaites’ littermates Al Caliphs Zobayni and Al Caliphs Zofeyah who was Best of Breed..

A gala dinner later that evening which included prize giving and an auction in aid of Saluki Welfare provided a fitting conclusion to the week’s events, although for those with sufficient energy there remained a lure coursing and fun day near Newbury, Berkshire the following day.

So ended an extremely full, varied and fascinating week which was clearly much enjoyed by those who participated. As such, it was a great credit to its organisers and the committees of the Saluki or Gazelle Hound Club and the Northern Saluki Club and a fitting conclusion to several years of careful planning. All those involved in its organisation are to be congratulated on a job well done. The sun shone on the event, quite literally, the festival being blessed with the only week of good weather in an otherwise dismal British summer. As the first Saluki event of its kind worldwide the festival set a very high standard for others to follow and that it serves and important social and educational function is clear.

Personally, I found the event very enjoyable and rewarding, but as an overseas exhibitor, very tiring and rather too demanding for dogs. For me, the highlight of the festival was unquestionably the NSC symposium which I had the privilege to chair. This event could not be faulted. Superbly organised, in elegant and historic surroundings, it was relaxed and intimate. The presentations neatly dovetailed to provide a complete overview of the Saluki from its ancient origins as a functional hunting hound in the East to the present day situation in the West. It was stimulating and thought provoking and provided a wonderful educational experience for novices to the breed and seasoned veterans alike. It’s overarching message provides a fitting overview of the festival as a whole in as much that it reminded us that modern day Saluki enthusiasts are mere custodians of the breed who need to reflect upon and strive maintain its original form and character in the absence of a lifestyle which affords sufficient opportunities to indulge or promote its original function. In order to do so, it is essential to both respect the divergence of type within the breed and to resist and not succumb to the fashions and vagaries of the show world and the increasing trend towards a generic show Saluki.

Helen Graham - daxlore@wanadoo.fr