Nouakchott:
As dusk falls on the edge of Nouakchott, Kayo the husky leaves his footprints in the warm Sahara desert, a strange but increasingly familiar sight in Mauritania.
Traditionally bred as sled dogs in the far north of Siberia, huskies have become popular pets in northwestern African states where temperatures regularly rise to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
“I thought he might have a problem with the heat, but it wasn't,” said Kayo's owner Ahmed Maham, praising his majestic pet.
The sweltering heat isn't ideal for dogs in the Arctic, but huskies are better able to adapt, said Hera Rokhbany of the French Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA).
Dogs have two layers of fur, which acts as a thermoregulator, protecting them from not only heat but also cold, she explained.
They renew their fur twice a year and automatically adapt their fur to the climate, she added.
“Therefore, Siberian huskies shed their skin differently in Africa,” she explained, stressing that Mauritania is not their natural habitat.
“You need to be constantly alert and take precautions. Give them fresh water, take them outside at certain times of the day, shelter them in the shade…” Lokhbani said.
like a wolf
On a sunny rooftop terrace in Nouakchott, husky owner Amadou Duff fills a bowl with water to keep his pet cool.
Like many other dog owners around the world, Duff's love for hardy dog breeds began with the hit TV series Game of Thrones.
“That's what I like about huskies, because they're like wolves,” he said.
“I wanted something completely white like Aria,” he added, referring to one of the fantasy series' protagonists.
“You have to be very careful and keep it in good condition,” he said, explaining the importance of hydration and making the roof of the kennel out of wood rather than metal to keep out the heat.
“You really have to take care of your huskies. Huskies are not given to just anyone,” he added.
Amadou Mbozi, a dog trainer who specializes 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 almost seven years,” he said.
“I got her from a Syrian friend and I haven't been able to leave her since then,” he added.
sign of wealth
Mbozi said he imports dogs from Morocco, which requires “a lot of documentation,” permits and vaccination certificates.
“The distance is long and there are customs hassles,'' he said, “but it can be done.''
Mbozi warned that husky thefts are on the rise.
Mauritania has not traditionally been a dog-friendly country, but Mbozi said trends are changing and adoptions are increasing.
He sells his huskies for the equivalent of $380 to $760.
“I used to go for walks on the beach or in upscale residential areas, and people kept asking me about these dogs,” Mbozi said.
“Mauritanians love huskies because of their beauty, sociability and exceptional coat,” he added.
Mouhamadou Ba, a dog expert and secretary general of the Mauritanian Veterinary Association, said the number of huskies has increased over the past decade.
However, there are no reliable official statistics.
Barr explained that in desert states, owning a pedigree dog is a social marker and a sign of wealth.
Breeds such as German shepherds, poodles and Chihuahuas are also becoming increasingly popular, especially among wealthy Mauritanians who travel abroad.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)