About Us

HOW IT ALL STARTED

Carina first came in contact with Salukis in the mid 80’s when she travelled by bus to the big International Dog Show in Stockholm. She was going there to show her Papillon and on the trip there and back she had the great honor to share her lap with a black grizzle Saluki bitch. Carina became fascinated by the breed and decided that when she moved away from home a black grizzle Saluki was to move in with her. Carina's dear companion Roger (now her husband) was now to be persuaded. He didn't think that they were that impressive in pictures but fortunately when they were walking through town (Umeå) they met a Saluki bitch "in the flesh" (Shamali Yafa) and she looked so beautiful and it persuaded him.

Their own first Saluki was Shamali Zarif Takwin, a black grizzle male born in 1989. A very special boy who will always be remembered for his mischevious personality and the hours of waiting, filled with worry out in the woods, while he was seeking out his own adventures. Kennel Shamali, Christer and Inger, opened up a new world while spending many hours with them in their kitchen and out in the woods excercising the Salukis. What a privilege to get to know Christer, Inger, Elin and their lovely Salukis.

Ingela's first memory of a sighthound was meeting a man cycling with two Greyhounds. This was in the beginning of the 70’s. They were the most beautiful creatures she had ever seen on 4 legs and that was when she decided to own a Sighthound. At the end of the 70’s she met Christer and Inger, kennel Shamali, and thanks to them she entered the fantastic world of Salukis.

The first Saluki "Rassam" (SUCh Shamali Rassam Al-Umr) moved in with Ingela's family at the age of 4 years in Spring 1985. He was only supposed to stay until his breeder found him a new home. Ingela was on maternity leave and Rassam needed company 24-7 at this time. He was not able to be on his own even for a short while without his voice being heard by the whole neighborhood. Naturally they fell for his charm and when they moved south from Umeå to Kungsbacka/Halland four months later he was part of the family inventory. It was a great loss when he passed at age 9.

What's does Al Wathba mean?
In the mid 90’s Ingela was watching a TV-program about Sheik Zayed's Arab Horse Managerie called Al Wathba located in Abu Dhabi. His great passion in life was, and probably still is, to rescue Arab horses mistreated in the Western World. The show was interesting and the name stuck in her memory, so when it was time to raise our first litter together, that name came up. The problem was that no-one seemed to know what the name Al Wathba meant. Since there was only one way to find out, Ingela grabbed the phone and called the UAE Consulate in Stockholm and asked them for help. At the other end was a very strict secretary who quickly went silent when the question was asked. After thinking about it for a while she had to ask the consul and we got the answer to our question. As a foot note we can tell you that it was the first time anyone had asked them for this kind of help and they welcomed us to call again, they were only pleased to be at service.

Al Wathba means "leaping forward", emphasizing a leap in the jumping sense as well as an inner leap into the future.

Our puppies are given Arabic names (real names and not just single words so that it has a meaning rather than something just put together). The names are supposed to reflect each puppy’s personality, which of course means we have to wait a couple of weeks until we can find the proper name for each individual. The names are also meant to be of a positive meaning. We started on the letter S and are now following through the alphabet from there.

The fact that our prefix involves two of us is to us an extra positive thing. We have the same goals and it gives so much feedback to have someone to share both good and bad moments with. We hope that also our puppy buyers see this as an advantage, they can usually get hold of at least one of us if something happens, or if they need to ask something - anything. 

Our breeding foundation
The reason why breeders wish to be breeders, has got to be to "preserve the breed" for the generations to come. Breeding and Genetics is interesting and exciting, thoughts about which dogs will compliment each other and afterwards reviewing the result of that particular combination - did it result in what was expected or was the outcome completely different? Our intention is to evaluate each litter every one or two years, the first evaluation taking place just a few days after birth. It's always interesting to go back and see what we thought about the puppies in their first days of life and to compare with our later evaluations.

S & N Ch, NV-94, SV-96 Al-Shên Oya Al Dahab "Ofelia" was the mother of our first litter. She was a re-home and came to us at age 7. A very well constructed and likeable Saluki bitch. She settled in quickly and was the given Alphabitch at Carina's house. The male Saluki who is the foundation in our breeding is Shamali Amir Ibn Rayyan Ibn Wadj, pleasant and with an incredibly good front. Our next foundation bitch was C'est Esmera Hypnotica Al Wathba "Amidala", a smooth lady with great qualities. We waited for her for quite a few years...

Our ambition
Our hopes and ambition is to breed mentally sound and well constructed Salukis who will give their owners plenty of joy in life. We also wish for our puppies to grow up and be able to excel in the fierce competition out on the Lure Coursing fields, as well as in the show rings.

Through our mentor Christer Edling, kennel Shamali, we have learned to plan ahead concerning our future breeding. Meaning what direction we should move when it comes to pedigrees and think/plan several generations ahead. Which is why we are always planning a minimum of 2 generations from "today". Furthermore, our intentions are to breed on a small scale. We do not plan a litter without the intention of keeping one of the puppies ourselves. We strive for dual purpose Salukis with clear gender distinction, power and elegance, preferably of a smaller size (height wise). 
Some Salukis worth mentioning are: S & N Ch Zohari Zari-Ba-Yefa, S Ch Argos, Int Ch Baklava's Ahsan-Min, S Ch Zohari Farazham, Int Ch Khalils Omawad and S Ch Shamali Bazin Tayyar..