The breeding and trading of camels in Qatar is a tradition that Qataris were able to pass on to generation after generation to become one of the most popular customs despite the revolutionary progress Qatar is witnessing, and accordingly, the country's wealth of camels has boomed in recent years to more than 150,000 heads.
Camel breeding is not limited to acquiring or trading only but extends to include camel races that are, for many, a passion. Camel race in Qatar, like in most of the Gulf countries, is considered an important cultural heritage and a tradition historically associated with the lives of the people of the Gulf.
Due to the huge supply of camels, selecting the ideal camel to buy is not an easy task, in this article, we will make this task a bit easier.
Camels are unique animals. Not just in appearance but also in nature. Their temperament, characteristics, and abilities are unlike any other animal. To begin with, you should be aware that owning a camel is a life-changing decision, so we hope that you do not want to own camels only because they are cute (and they indeed are). Camels are widely misunderstood as stubborn and unfriendly, but the truth is that they are patient, reliable, and quite loyal, and the value you even more if you can understand them. Camels are proud animals that get offended easily, so using the correct training and handling techniques is the key to the safe and optimized performance of your race camel.
Let’s have a look at the main points to pay attention to when buying a race camel or any camel for that matter:
Strength and endurance
Especially if you are buying a race camel, it must be strong with a high endurance level. Ask the seller to make the camel sit down and stand up several times if there is trembling in the knees, which indicates weak muscles. Also, ask him to walk with the camel, pay attention to the camel’s posture and movements, even a slight limp will inevitably affect his strength and speed.
Wounds and injuries
Wounds do not only affect movement, but they may cause infection, which may reach the point of death - God forbid - so examine every part of the camel’s body and make sure it is free of any wounds or sores. And do not forget the soles, as their injuries are the most dangerous because they affect the camel’s movement directly as they carry the beast’s weight.
Obedience
For an animal as big and powerful as a camel, not paying attention to how obedient it is, is, indeed, a fatal mistake!
Therefore, you should ask the seller to wrap a rope around the animal’s head and observe the reaction of the camel, is it calm or fierce and causing trouble.
Age
The average lifespan of a camel ranges from 30-40 years. Of course, you do not want to buy a young camel that is not suitable for racing or work and is not trained in obedience or an old camel that is tired and weary.
The ideal age for a camel is from 4 to 8 years so that it is experienced and at the same time possesses the necessary strength and stamina.
