Tinifghani Sightdog

The Tinifghani Sightdog, called peketin in the Tinifghani language, is a breed of sighthound from inland Abayad bred by the Tinifghani people. It is found in alpine and scrub regions alike, and is believed to be historically related to the Abayadi Sightdog. As a sighthound, the Tinifghani Sightdog predominantly uses its sight and speed to overcome prey. It is known for its extraordinary stamina at altitude, but the breed is ultimately kept for its versatility while hunting. They can follow scent trails and retrieve game, and are used in combination with trained birds of prey to hunt a range of game, including hares, foxes, badgers, wildcats, hoofed game such as deer, and even wolves.

Tinifghani Sightdogs have medium-length and slightly curly hair, coming in a wide range of colors ranging from white or sandy and shades of fawn through to grays and even black. The system historically used by the Tinifghani to name their sighthounds was a series of descriptive terms rather than actual names. Peketin is the masculine singular form of an archaic Tinifghani adjective meaning “fast” or “swift.” Dans Peketin (Fast Curly) is the full term used by Tinifghani to describe them, although the “dans” is usually dropped. The “curly” refers to the dog’s shorter, curlier coat, as there was once another breed with longer, straight, silky hair that has since become extinct.

History
The Tinifghani Sightdog is believed to have originated in a foundational type first bred in 13th century Abayad when tribesmen of the nomadic people crossed the ancestor of the modern Abayadi Sightdog with a thick-coated breed of dog kept by the Tinifghani. There were at least two breeds to come from this foundational type - the silky and curly breeds, with the curly breed being somewhat stockier and less lanky than the silky breed.

The Tinifghani concept of hunting trials allowed for the perfecting testing environment for selecting breeding stock, as well as providing exciting sport. Only the quickest, hardiest, and most intelligent dogs were allowed to produce progeny. For many, these trials were well-organized ceremonies, sometimes going on for days, with the dogs accompanied by mounted hunters in the valleys, mountains, and scrub of the Tinifghani homelands. Hares and other small game were the most numerous kills, but hunters revealed in testing their dogs on wolves. If a wolf was sighted, the hunters would release a team or two or three dogs, who would pursue the wolf while attacking its neck from both sides, holding it until the hunters arrived. The classical kill was by a human hunter with a knife, with dogs that killed the wolf being considered too aggressive (it is believed that this is why the silky subtype was eventually phased out). Wolf trials remain a regular part of the hunting diploma for all Tinifghani sighthounds, either singly, in pairs, or in trios.

In the 1450s, Abayadi Revolutionary soldier Ferran Younis made detailed records of the various types of dogs he found in the Tinifghani communities that hosted him and his comrades. His illustrations have been published, and exist as among the earlier records of the breed’s existence.

Description
Tinifghani Sightdogs can generally be described as having curly and short or medium-length hair. They come in virtually any color, with their almost wooly overcoat bein cover a soft undercoat that thickens in winter or colder climates, but is shed in hot weather to prevent overheating. Males frequently weigh more than 45 kg and stand 76 cm at the shoulder, whereas females stand at around 66 cm. Tinifghani Sightdogs are stocky for sighthounds, but give an overall impression of streamlined grace, with a curved and compact figure.

Temperament
The Tinifghani Sightdog is an athletic and independent breed of dog that is fairly quiet, barking only on rare occasions. They do not have strong territorial drives and cannot be relied on to raise an alarm upon sighting a human intruder, which is normally the role of the Tinifghani Shepherd. The Tinifghani Sightdog requires patient, experienced handling. The breed are gentle and highly sensitive dogs with a natural respect for humans, and as mature adults tend to be more lethargic houseguests, albeit with gracious manners. They do not generally display dominance or aggression towards humans, but can turn aggressive if handled roughly. Typically, they are reserved with strangers but affectionate with “extended pack” members. Their sensitivity to invasion of their personal space can make them nervous around children unless they are used to them.

In terms of obedience, Tinifghani Sighthounds are selective learners who quickly become bored with tasks that are repetitive or seem pointless to them, and can be very stubborn when not properly motivated. For example, food rewards may work well for some individuals, but not at all for others. Nevertheless, they are certainly capable of performing well in competitive obedience and agility trials with the right amount and kind of training. Like other sighthounds, they are very sensitive and do not cope well with harsh treatment or training based on punishment, and will quickly become unhappy if raised voices and threats are a part of their daily life. However, like any intelligent dog, they respond well to guidance, support, and clear communication of benevolent human leadership. The breed was made to pursue, or “course” game, and have a powerful instinct to chase things that may run from them, including cats and other dogs. Built for speed and endurance, they can cover long distances over a short time. They can be and are raised successfully to live with cats and other small animals, provided they are introduced to them when they are puppies. Some, however, will possess the hunting instinct to such a degree that they find it impossible not to chase a cat or other quick-moving small animal.

Health
Stated life expectancy is 10 to 12 years, with the median lifespan being 9. Dogs that are physically fit and vigorous in their youth through median age are more vigorous and healthy as elderly dogs, with all other things being equal. The breed is fairly stout, and hip or elbow dysplasia have remained relatively unknown, as are congenital eye and heart diseases.

As with other deep-chested breeds, gastric dilation (also known as bloat) is the most common serious health problem that has been observed. This life-threatening condition is believed to be anatomical rather than strictly genetic in origin. Less common are cardiac problems, including cardiomyopathy and cardiac arrhythmia disorders.

Correct nutrition during puppyhood is also debatable for Tinifghani Sightdogs. They naturally experience enormous growth surges in the first two years of their lives, and a high energy diet is dangerous for skeletal development, causing unsoundness and joint problems. Being built for speed, they do not carry large amounts of body fat or muscle, and have a different physiology to most other dogs of similar size.