Aug. 8 marks World Cat Day. Here, we take a look at regional breeds of our furry best friends, both cats and dogs.
6 regional breeds to celebrate on World Cat Day
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Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian mau is an elegant, spotted cat whose ancestry may date back 3,000 years to the cats whose images adorn the temples in ancient Egypt.
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Arabian Mau
The Arabian Mau is indigenous to the Gulf and the breed is internationally recognized. It is a natural breed meaning that they are from the place they originated.
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Bahraini Dilmun
The Bahraini Dilmun is also a natural breed. Due to living in extreme heat, the breed has adapted a short fur coat, nocturnal behavioral traits, and an affinity for water.
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Saluki
The distinctive Saluki dog breed has been a hunting and guard dog for the desert people of the Arabian Peninsula for 5,000 years. It was originally bred in the Fertile Crecent.
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Sloughi
The Sloughi is from the Maghreb region of North Africa and supposedly dates back to 8,000-7,000 BC. The dog’s original purpose was to hunt game.
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Aidi Atlas Mountain Dog
The Aidi Atlas Mountain Dog hails from Morocco’s Atlas Mountain range. The breed’s original purpose was to protect people and livestock against predators.