Sloughi
The Sloughi is the sighthound of North Africa — an ancient, noble breed of the Berber people of the Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya).
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Morocco
Lifespan
12–16 years
Weight
20–27 kg (44–60 lbs)
Height
61–72 cm (24–28 in)
Diet
Obligate carnivore tendency — high-protein diet. Sighthound anaesthetic sensitivity.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Sloughi is the sighthound of North Africa — an ancient, noble breed of the Berber people of the Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya). Related to but distinct from the Arabian Saluki, the Sloughi has been the companion and hunting dog of Berber and Bedouin cultures for thousands of years, used for coursing gazelle, hare, and jackal across the Saharan sands. The breed is depicted in North African rock art dating thousands of years. It is considered a sighthound of profound elegance and is treated as a noble companion by its traditional keepers — never sold, only gifted.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A lean, elegant, large sighthound — finer-boned and more refined than the Greyhound, with a longer, more angular head and a sad, deep, almond-shaped eye that is one of the breed's most striking features. The coat is very short, smooth, and fine. The tuck-up is extreme. The expression is characteristically melancholy and noble.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Low
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Noble, gentle, and deeply loyal to its family — the Sloughi bonds intensely with its person but is reserved with all others. Sensitive and does not respond well to harsh handling. Strong prey drive. Not suitable for multi-pet households.
Living Profile
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •2+ hours exercise daily with free running. Sighthound anaesthetic sensitivity — inform vet. Cold sensitive — needs warm sleeping arrangements. Low grooming needs.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Health Overview
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — DNA test available. Sighthound anaesthetic sensitivity. Hip dysplasia can occur. Generally a robust, long-lived breed.
Common Conditions
Fun Facts
The Sloughi was never sold in Berber and Bedouin culture — like the Saluki and Kanni, it was only gifted, and giving a Sloughi was one of the highest honours. To sell one was considered shameful.
The Sloughi is depicted in ancient Egyptian and North African rock art — images matching the breed's distinctive profile have been found at sites dating thousands of years before the Common Era.
