Why is the husky now fashionable in the Sahara?

Kayo, a husky dog, frolics alongside his master on the outskirts of Nouakchott at dusk. It leaves its little footprints on the hot desert sand.

Originally from Siberia, in the Far North, and traditionally bred as a driving dog, the husky is now fashionable in the Sahara and it is not uncommon to come across them in the company of their master in the Mauritanian capital.

“I thought he might have problems with the heat, but that’s not the case,” rejoices Ahmed Maham, who looks at Kayo tenderly.

Although high heat is not ideal for him, the husky has great adaptability, underlines Hela Rokbani, veterinarian at the French association Society for the Protection of Animals.

The husky has an undercoat, she explains. These two layers of hair act as a thermal regulator against cold and heat. The husky renews its coat twice a year and will automatically adapt its fur to the local climate.

“A husky in Siberia will therefore have a different molt in Africa,” she continues. However, as Mauritania is not its natural habitat, “we must remain vigilant and take precautions: give them fresh water, take them out at certain times of the day, shelter them in the shade”.

On his roof terrace in Nouakchott where the sun shines, Amadou Daff fills a basin with water to refresh his dog lying on a patterned rug.

During this period, the temperature regularly reaches 40° Celsius.

Evolution of morals

Like many others around the world, the young man was inspired by the series Game of Thrones, with its giant wolves. “That’s why I loved huskies, because they look like wolves. I wanted a completely white one like that of Arya,” one of the heroines, he says.

Diligent monitoring of their hydration, roof of the kennel made of wood and not metal, “you really have to take care of the huskies. They are not made for just anyone,” he believes.

Dog trainer Amadou Mbodj specializes in the sale and treatment of huskies. “She’s Gloria, she’s the first husky I had. She has been here for almost seven years. I got her from a Syrian friend and since then, I can’t part with her,” he confides.

He imports them from Morocco where they are raised. To bring them to Mauritania, you need “a lot of papers”, authorizations, a vaccination record. “It’s far and there are hassles at customs,” he says, “but it’s doable.” He warns owners against thefts, which have increased.

In the past, Mauritanians did not like dogs. They only lived with them. But things are changing, and people are starting to adopt pet dogs, says Mr. Mbodj. He sells the huskies for between 350 and 700 euros.

“I used to go for walks at the beach and in uptown areas, and people would ask me what these dogs were. Mauritanians love huskies because of their beauty, their sociability and their extraordinary coat,” he assures.

According to Doctor Mouhamadou Ba, specialist in canine medicine and secretary general of the veterinary order, the number of huskies and purebred dogs such as German shepherds, poodles or chihuahuas has increased over the past ten years, particularly among Mauritanians who have a lot of money and travel abroad. But there are no reliable official statistics on their number.

Usually, children ask their parents to buy them this type of dog. You then need to have the means to take care of it. Having a purebred dog is a social marker and a sign of wealth in Mauritania, he says.