And to add on to your point about the Sahara being less hostile, it used to be filled with life.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_humid_period

This period ended right around when recorded history begins. Because the Sahara was not hostile it created a corridor for plants, and animals, and people to make an easy crossing into the levant and then further into Asia and Europe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahara_pump_theory

Breed them to be small. Like a teacup grizzly bear