As dusk fell on the edge of Nouakchott, Kayo the husky left a trail of paw prints in the warm Sahara sand, an incongruous yet increasingly familiar sight in Mauritania.
Traditionally bred as sled dogs in the far north of Siberia, huskies have become a popular pet in the northwest African state — where temperatures regularly soar to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
“I thought he might have problems with the heat, but that’s not the case,” said Kayo’s owner Ahmed Maham, admiring his majestic pet.
While the sweltering heat is not ideal for the Arctic breed, huskies have a great capacity to adapt, said Hela Rokbani of France’s Animal Protection Society (SPA).
The dogs have two layers of fur which act as a thermal regulator, protecting them from the cold as well as the heat, she explained.
They renew their coats twice a year and automatically adapt their fur to the climate, she added.
“A husky in Siberia will therefore moult differently in Africa,” she explained, while stressing Mauritania was not their natural habitat.
“You have to remain vigilant and take precautions: give them fresh water, take them out at certain times of the day, shelter them in the shade…”, Rokbani said.
– Like wolves –
On his sun-drenched roof terrace in Nouakchott, husky owner Amadou Daff filled a bowl with water to cool his pet.
Like many other owners around the world, Daff’s affection for the hardy dog breed began with the hit TV series Game of Thrones.
“That’s what I loved about huskies, because they look like wolves,” he said.
“I wanted an all-white one like Arya’s” he added, referencing one of the main characters in the fantasy series.
“You have to take a lot of care and keep them in the right conditions” he said, explaining the importance of hydration and making kennel roofs out of wood rather than metal to keep out the heat.
“You really have to look after huskies. They’re not just for anyone,” he added.
Amadou Mbodj, a dog trainer specialised in selling and training huskies, proudly showed off his canine companion.
“Her name is Gloria — she’s the first husky I ever had. She’s been here nearly seven years,” he said.
“I got her from a Syrian friend, and I haven’t been able to part with her since,” he added.
– Sign of wealth –
Mbodj imports the dogs from Morocco, which he explained required “a lot of paperwork”, permits and a vaccination certificate.
“It’s a long way and there are hassles at customs”, he said, “but it can be done”.
Mbodj warned that thefts of huskies were on the rise.
Mauritania has not traditionally been a dog-friendly country, but Mbodj said that trends were changing and adoptions were on the rise.
He sells his huskies for the equivalent of between $380 and $760.
“I used to go for walks on the beach and in upmarket areas, and people would ask me about these dogs,” Mbodj said.
“Mauritanians love huskies because of their beauty, their sociability and their extraordinary coat,” he added.
Mouhamadou Ba, a canine specialist and secretary general of Mauritania’s veterinary association, said the number of huskies had increased over the last 10 years.
But there are no reliable official statistics.
Ba described having a pedigree dog as a social marker and a sign of wealth in the desert state.
Breeds such as German shepherds, poodles and Chihuahuas have also become more popular, he said, particularly among wealthier Mauritanians who travel abroad.
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