The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1855-01-13
3332
The GreyhOunds of Africa.


Nothing evinces more the aristocratic
tastes of the Arabs of Sahara than their
treatment of the greyhounds. Here, as in
ell other Arab countries, the common dog,
whatever the utility of his employment in
protecting the tents and focks, is still re-
garded as a contemplate and troublesome
servant-a disagreeable necessity. The grey
hound alone, as the companion of his chival-
rous pastimes, is treated by the Arab with
ectionate attention and respect. While,
therefore, the faithful watchdog is driven
forth from the tent treated as a vulgar brute,
and allowed to seek his food among the offal
and bones that have been thrown out, the
greyhound sleeps in the mems apartment,
on carpet beside his MASTER or even on his
bed. He is abundantly but carefully fed
with koo-koos and in the summer cakes
are made for him of milk and stoned dates,
which are said TO be highly tonic. If thor
ough-bred animal, he will never drink out Of
a dirty vessel, nor will he taste milk in
which any one has put his hands. He
is we'll defended from the cold with cover
lets, like the horse-the Arabs having no
objection to his being sensitive in this re-
spect. 1t is an evidence of high blood
They delight in decking him with orna-
ments, and make for him collars of cowry
shells, to which they attach talisman, to
secure him from the blight of an evil eye.
At the age of forty days the pups are re-
moved from the mother, and fed with goats
or camels milk, mixed with dates and koo-
koos.
At the age of three or four months the
education Of the greyhound is begun by the
children starting jerboas, or small deer, and
inducing him to give chase. He soon be-
comes so fond of this pastime that he will
bark round the holes to induce the young
sters to renew the sport. The next game on
which he is tried is the hare then the young
gazelle. At the end of year he has attain
ed his full strength, and is advanced to be-
come the companion of the master of the
tent, who teaches him to hunt the full-sized
gazelle.
When the dog perceives herd of thirty
or forty gazeAles, he is ioosea on the game,
and bounds away, but conceals himself,
crouching down if he is perceived; makes
zig-gag course and it is not until fairly
within reach that he darts, with all his
strength, choosing the finest of the herd as
his victim. When the hunter cuts up the
gazelle, he gives the dog part of the loin if
he were offered any refuse, he would reject it
with disdain-
A thorough bred hound will hunt with no
one but his master; he always accompanies
him when visiting, and shares whatever hos
pitalities he receives.
The greyhound of Sahara is very superior
to that of the coast. He is tall and fawn-
colored, has thin muzzle, black tongue and
pallet, large forehead, short ears, muscular
neck, very soft hair, no paunch, dry limbs.
and the muscle of the Group we'll Marked
A pretty good one is considered worth a fine
camel; but those that take the largest ga
zelles bring as much as horse. A family
hunter, however, is never sold an Arab
would almost as soon think of selling one
of his sons. When he dies, it is time Of
mourning in the tent the women and chill
dren weep and lament as for member Of the
family.