I was asked to take the Sloughi to represent the Hunting dogs of the Sahara, at The " Festival of Falconry". This was a two day event ,so knowing the dogs would be " On Show" to the public.... Armed with printed information on all things Sloughi , (express gratitude to Mrs Moreau-Sipiere) we set off not quite knowing what to expect......
On arrival , we were supplied with an open fronted kennel, so that the public could see, interact, and pet the dogs, and read all about this ancient breed ......
After lunch I was asked if I would take the dogs to the main arena where there was to be a Grand Parade of Falconers..... The music started and on went the Flag bearers of every Nation, followed by the falconers.who were all dressed in authentic national costume , with the respective Bird of Prey from each country gripping to their wrist , behind them walked the dogs that they hunted with. There were Golden Eagles, Peregrines, Gyr Falcons, Sakers, Hunting dogs of every kind.
There were horses decked in ornate silver harnesses, Camels, Carriages filled with costumed people representing the royal houses of England and Europe that hunted with the Falcon. All this mingled with T.V. cameras and newspaper reporters etc etc...Somewhere, walking with the Sahara contingency, in the middle of this huge parade, was US. The dogs took it in their stride, decked out in their gold tasselled collars. It's almost as if Sloughi belonged with Falcons and Eagles----and who knows ?--Perhaps in antiquity they did!