(Afghan Hound Database and Breed Information Exchange)
"Salukis have taken up a lot of my time and my life, they are however second to my love of horses. Horses will to me be very special, the Arabian Horse second to none". Sentiment expressed by Eileen Skelton-Fortune in "Saluki Heritage". Born in India, Mrs Skelton-Fortune came from the sort of aristocratic family used to luxury. Servants, Arab horses,and, of course, beautiful pure bred dogs were all taken for granted as part of the essentials of life. Her love for and interest in breeding the Salukis she remembers was sparked at her very first dog show in 1924 where she saw Brigadier General Lance with his hounds and also met the Hon Florence Amherst. She smiles at the memory and says: "The Saluki is the dog of all dogs." Tracing the origins of her affection for Salukis back even further she reflects that her father had owned a couple of smooth hunting Salukis, but his main interest had been Arab horses, whichhe bred. From the Arabs came the realisation that when breeding one must keep the female side, if it is a good one,intact. Mrs Skelton-Fortune learnt from the breeding experience of her father, and when she came to breeding the Salukis retained the principle of breeding from the female line. She began breeding in the early 1950s when she acquired two Salukis from Mrs Hope Waters, a black and silver bitch called Burydown Beelzebub, and 6 months later a cream bitch, Burydown Candida. (Cream, she confesses has always been her favourite colour.) The Daxlore prefix was added to both and in the show ring Beelzebub won two Challenge Certificates.  Library Of Articles/Main Menu Toolbar GoTo Whats new |