The Ancient Breed
by Stephen J. Bodio
Category: Biography & Autobiography

An American author recounts his far-flung adventure to Kazakhstan and back with an endangered breed of ancient hunting dogs. In The Hounds of Heaven, author Stephen Bodio embarks on a quest to discover the ancient breed of Central Asian sighthounds known as tazis. From his home in new Mexico, he chased leads all the way to Kazakhstan, where these beautiful dogs may have existed 6000 years ago. Evidence in ancient rock paintings suggests that these hounds, ancestors of modern breeds like salukis and Afghans, were used for hunting in the Bronze Age—along with horses and birds of prey—all along the old Silk Road. Centuries later, the Soviets tried to wipe out the breed, valued by tribal people as a symbol of their independence. But today, the greatest threat to tazis might be the show-dog breeder’s closed stud books. In an effort to preserve them, Bodio brought several pups back to his home in New Mexico, bred them, and placed them with friends, some of whom wanted to use them to increase the genetic diversity of the saluki. The Hounds of Heaven is a celebration of the Asian sighthound in all its names and glorious variety, a lament for disappearing ways, and a truly unique adventure.