Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-04-21
The Grevhounds az Africa.


Nothing evinces more the aristocratic tastes
OF the Arabs Of Sahara, than their treatment
OF their greyhounds. Here as in all other
countries, the common dog, whatever the utility
OF his employment in protecting the tents and
hocks, IS still regarded az a contemplate and
troublesome servant--a disagreeable necessity.
The greyhound alone, as the companion of
his chiyarous pastmes, is treated by the Arab
with affeetionate attention and respect. While,
therefore, the faithful watch dog 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 grey
hound sleeps in the mems apartment, on a
carpet beside his master, or even on his bed.
He is abundantly but carefully fed with koos-
koos; and in the summer, cakes made for him
of milk and stoned dates, which are said to be
highly tonic. II a thoroughbred animal, he
will not drink out of q dirty vessel, nor will he
taste milk in which any one has put his hands.
He is defended from the cold with coverets
like the horse, the Arabs having no objection
to his being sensitive in this respect-it is an
evidence of high blood. They delight in deck.
ing him with ornaments, and make for him
collars Of cowry shells, to which they attach
talismans to secure him from the blight of au
evil eye
AT the age of forty days the pups are remov.
ed from the mother, and fed with goats or
camels milk, mixed with dates and kooskoos.
At the age of three or four months the edu-
cation of the greyhound is begun by the chill
dren starting jerboas or small deer, and in
ducing him to give chase. He soon becomes
So fond of this pastime, that he will bark round
the holes, to induce the youngsters to renew
the sport The next game on which he is tried
is the hare; then the young gazelle. AT the
end of a year he has attained his full strength,
| and is advanced to become the companion of
the master of the tent, who teaches him to
hunt the full sized gazelle. The Arab talks
to him as human being. "Listen to me,
friend; thou must bring me some venison; |
am tired of eating nothing but dates" Where
upon the dog leaps, wheels about, and init
mates, as plainly as possible, that he under
stands his masters wish, and is abundantly
willing to comply.
When the dog perceives herd of thirty or
forty gazelles be trembes with 10Y, and looks
wsttully at his master. 'Ha! young jew
says the Arab chou wilt not say this time
that thou hast not seen them" He then un.
ties an ox-skin, and refreshes the body of the
dog with a sprinkling of water. The impatient
animal turns on him an imploring eye; he is
loosed on the game and bounds away; but vet
conceals himself, crouches down if he is per.
ceived makes a zigzag course; and it is not
till 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 dis
dain.
thorough bred hound will hunt with no one
but his master; and he manifests due selfre.
spect in his choice Of prey. If on loosing
him his master has pointed out fine gazelle
and he has succeeded only in taking small
and middling looking one, he seems to feel the
reproach that attaches to the failure, and sinks
away ashamed instead Of claiming his accus.
toned share. He always accompanies his
master when visiting, and shares whatever
Inequalities he receives. By his extreme clean
illness the kindness of his manners, and his
respect for the usages of society, he shows him
self worthy OF the attentions thus bestowed on
him. When the Arab returns home after
somewhat prolonged absence, his dog makes
single bound from the tent to the saddle and
welcomes him with caresses.
The greyhound Of Sahara is very superior
to that of the coast. He is tall and fawn col.
ored, hns thin muzzle, black tongue and
palate, large forehead, short ears; muscular
neck, very soft hair, no paunch dry limbs and
the muscles of the Group well marked. A
pretty good one is considered worth fine ca
mel; but those which take the largest gazelles
will bring as much as a horse. A family hun
ter, however, is never sold an Arab would al.
most as soon think of selling one Of his sons.
When he dies, it is a time of mourning in the
tent; the womaR and children weep and lament
as for member Of the family.