Temperament: Reserved, Graceful, Noble
- Height: 26-29 inches (male), 24-27 inches (female)
- Weight: 45 – 70 pounds
- Life Expectancy: 12 -14 years
- Group: Hound Group
The ancient Sloughi, nicknamed the “Arabian Greyhound,” is a lean, swift coursing hound who hunted a variety of game in North African deserts. A classic sighthound, the Sloughi is regally aloof with strangers and gentle with loved ones.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Sloughi is a medium-large, short-haired, smooth-coated, athletic sighthound developed in North Africa (in the area including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya) to hunt game such as hare, fox, jackal, gazelle, and wild pigs. It is an ancient breed, treasured in North Africa for its hunting skills, speed, agility, and endurance over long distances. It is a robust, but elegant and racy, pursuit dog with no exaggeration of length of body or limbs, muscle development, angulation, nor curve of loin. The Sloughi is not a fragile dog, but is also a dog with class and grace. The attitude is noble and somewhat aloof, and the expression of the dark eyes is gentle and melancholy.
About the Sloughi
The Sloughi (SLOO-ghee) is a classically constructed sighthound of ancient lineage, originally bred to work on such game as hare, fox, jackal, gazelle, and wild pigs on the punishing terrain of its homeland. This is a lean, no-frills hound standing between 24 to 29 inches at the shoulder. Coat colors include shades of light sand to mahogany red-fawn, with or without bridling, with or without black markings, with no invasive white markings. The Sloughi’s big, dark eyes are often described as “melancholy.”
NUTRITION The Sloughi should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
GROOMING The Sloughi’s short, smooth, and fine coat requires very little in the way of maintenance. Weekly brushing with a soft bristle brush or a hound glove should keep it smooth and sleek. An occasional bath can help to keep the hound clean-smelling. The ears should be regularly inspected and cleaned if needed. The nails should be trimmed regularly as needed, as overly long nails can cause the dog discomfort.
EXERCISE Though usually sedate while in the home, the Sloughi is a somewhat active breed—he is a mannerly housedog possessed of high prey drive when in pursuit. This elegant, very athletic hound needs ample exercise, preferably including opportunities to run full out in a safely enclosed area. Canine sports such as lure coursing can engage the breed with mental and physical activity he will greatly enjoy.
TRAINING The Sloughi is an intelligent and loyal breed that is somewhat aloof. He does best with caring and sensitive owners. Sloughis need ample exercise, and do not respond well to harsh training methods. Despite their athleticism, they are very quiet in the home. Some Sloughis are shy; most are simply very careful and cautious about their personal space. They have a strong sense of self, which shows clearly when they are pursuing games or are strongly challenged. As with most sight-hounds, care is necessary when a Sloughi is off lead.
Sloughi puppies require socialization, such as puppy classes and exposure to many new people and situations, in order to become properly adjusted adults. Being a sensitive sighthound, the Sloughi requires training methods that are based in the principles of positive reinforcement.
HEALTH Sloughis are generally healthy dogs, and responsible breeders test their stock for health conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy. A Sloughi’s ears should be checked regularly for signs of infection, and the teeth should be brushed often, using a toothpaste formulated for dogs . Regular visits to the vet for checkups and parasite control help to ensure the dog a long, healthy life.