5TH JUNE 2020

SALUKI BREED NOTES WEEKENDING 5TH JUNE 2020.
 
Yesterday we noticed the local Starbucks is now open for business so I take that as a ‘sign’ lockdown is not so much of a lockdown any more.  With everything opening up we hope it is not just an economic decision and that the dreaded plague will return.  Dog shows, it will probably be a while before they start up again though I did receive notification that dog shows are happening on the Continent.  So, if you get desperate the Dracula Dog Show weekend is open for business in Transylvania (Romania). Norway is another country that is planning to hold shows.  They have come up with the idea of holding the groups at 3 different venues. Exhibitors will be asked to leave after you have been judged.
 
Just received notice that Valerie Best from Ireland passed away suddenly on Sunday.  She and her husband are exhibitors of Saluki and Whippets.  Our condolences to them.
 
Buzz Faber is not well and is in hospital.  She is in the Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road, Cheltenham, Glos GL53 7AN.  Please do not try the ward as staff are unable to give out any information to anyone except the family.  Her Salukis and Whippets are being looked after. 
 
Work is ploughing on for the Saluki Feature, which will be in this paper on the 3rd July.  If you are interested in taking an advert out and would like further information please contact the most helpful Pam Coulbert on 01803 712280 or email pamelacoulbert@btinternet.com.  For any questions on the editorial side please contact Ali Smith the editor of “Our Dogs” on email:alismith@ourdogs.co.uk
If you would like a copy of the paper which will include this special supplement please contact Tina Smith on 0161 709575 or subs@ourdogs.co.uk  From my experience everyone is very helpful.
 
In my study of Influential studs, this week I am going to discuss a contemporary of Burydown Uki.  Controversy in type was the basis of the original1922/1923 Saluki Breed standard which the Kennel Club would adopt and approve.  Someone and something had to give in order for the standard to be compiled and accepted.  This is the very reason we have a great variation in sizes from 23 inches to 28 inches as each group felt they type was correct, i.e. the Amherst type were much smaller, while the Lance type where larger.  
 
Sabbah the Windswift was bred by Amir Mohammed ibn Saud in 1946.  At that time there was no quarantine so he was sent as a gift to the Saudi Ambassador in London.  It was decided by the ambassador that embassy life did not suit him so Sabbah was offered to Vera Watkins.   Vera has stated in “Saluki Heritage” Volume 3 that” Sabbah was a wonderful dog but he wouldn’t have won in the show ring.  He’d got all the Saluki points but they added up to something quite different.  He was much more stocky. He had very fine bone and he wore his tail in a curl unless he wanted something: offer him a tidbit however and it went down into a very nice shape”.  
 
Sabbah sired two litters but had only one mating partner producing 13 offspings.  There were 7 males and 6 females.  In his first litter to Windswift Yasmin most of the litter was lost to hardpad.  Vera mentioned that Mrs Skelton-Fortune’s son bought Tabitha and Lady Gardner had Tharmar, Vera kept Turki and Tarfa, from the second litter.  In Saluki Heritage she states” Windswift Tabitha was mated to Hope Waters’ Burydownb Uki and produced Ch Soverign of Daxlore (Daxlore’s first champion, owned by Mary Long).  Windwift Tharmar was mated to Ch Johara Malik and produced Zbigniew Toos who was a really fabulous coursing dog”. In Vera’s book “Saluki Companion of Kings” printed in 1974, Vera wrote that: “of 64 English Champions made up since 1953, no less than 29 carry Sabbah’s blood, besides many American, Scandinavian and other European Champions.”
 
here to edit.