I’d always loved dogs. And then my sister brought a Rhodesian Ridgeback. She was evil, with great teeth and an evil stare. The dog was even worse! Whilst researching the Fall of Rome I came across an old favourite of mine, Terry Jones’ ” Barbarians”. In the book, the Alans are described as having ‘powerful dogs for hunting and cattle husbandry, the ancestors of today’s Bulldogs, Boxers and St. Bernards. ‘ My interest was peaked and what better camp elements for any Alan horde than these splendid mastiffs?
The Alans brought these dogs with them from the North Caucasus and Central Asia. They are still used today apparently, to catch large game and especially as guard-dogs. The wargamer’s friend, the Internet, led me in short time purchasing a variety of short coated, large dogs. Most suitable were those from Arcane Industries. The pack gives you a variety of cannines, great to represent the lighter Alaunt Gentil, which is greyhound like, to the heavy Alaunt Bouchere, used for fighting. The colour sources depict the dogs as ranging from sand through to a dark grey, all have a Creme coloured patch on their chests. Warbases provided the cattle, great sculpts and full of character. I did note that the Assault Group are now doing Aurocks, the medieval cattle, but maybe next time I need baggage.
First step was the clean up the castings which were very clean and undercoat with either stone or dark brown. This was the first time I have tried a Zenital of white over the top. Simon Clarke put me on to this technique of spraying a whiter highlight over the basecoat. The idea is to reflect the light, especially when one is using washes. Simon’s Elves are completed with this method and GW contrast paints and they are superb.
Once dried, I just washed all the dogs and cattle with brown GW washes and I was very pleased with the results.
Within an hour they were dry enough to put the final few details and start on the bases. I always leave miniatures overnight before varnishing but I doubt if I spent more than two hours on these two bases.
I hope you like them and hopefully the increase in my breakpoint in TTS for having multiple camps will pay dividends. I may hate wargame elephants but dogs I like! Although there was that time when a German Shepherd kept crapping on my Nan’s lawn. My nan was obviously distressed by this outrageous behaviour and it was made worse when one morning he brought his dog with him! More comedy tomorrow as the campaign to save Rome starts!
Despertaferres 
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