Sloughi

Overall description of the breed

The Sloughi, also known as the Arabian Greyhound, is a highly ancient breed originating from the Maghreb region. Discovered in the 1920s, it was primarily cherished by the Berber people as a companion animal for many years. Initially employed by nomadic tribes for its hunting abilities, it eventually found its place in canine racing, becoming a novel source of wealth for its owners.

Indeed, these owners faced significant restrictions in their hunting activities due to new regulations aimed at strengthening animal protection laws and curbing warrior hunting practices in the desert. Often mistaken for the Asian Greyhound due to resemblances, the Berber Sloughi remains a distinct breed, marked by its grace and elegance.

Present across all Maghreb countries, including Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, it is in Morocco that their numbers are highest today. In fact, the Sloughi is considered a sacred dog in Morocco and is the country's official breed standard. The breed was definitively recognized by the International Cynological Federation on November 8, 1934, and its current standard was modified and published on January 8, 1998.

The Sloughi is part of the giant sighthound breeds, characterized by its delicate structure and bone frame. It possesses a graceful musculature and an elegantly lean morphology. Its chest is broad, its thorax notably capacious, and its abdomen gently tucked up. The head is fine and deep, with a flat skull, a subtle stop, and an elongated muzzle tapering to a point. Its eyes are round and of significant size, consistently dark in color.

Its slender ears are attached high on the crown of its head and cascade alongside its cheeks. The tail is thin, well-furnished with hair, perpendicular to the croup, and gracefully curved at the tip. The Sloughi's coat is short, dense, and refined. The accepted coat colors as per the standard are gray, brindle, and sand, sometimes with nuances of gray or reddish hues.

The Sloughi is, above all, a hunting dog, yet it also proves to be an exceptional companion, deeply bonded to its owners. Naturally cautious, it excels as a guard dog, vigilantly watching over its property and the immediate environment of its loved ones. Brave and spirited, it can display aggression toward strangers, particularly if it senses even the slightest threat to its family.

Active and dynamic, the North African Sighthound requires intensive daily exercise. Favoring freedom and open spaces, it is ill-suited to urban or apartment living. To achieve balance and thrive, it requires vigorous activities to channel its energy during calm moments. Intelligent and benevolent, it particularly enjoys family life and generally gets along well with children.

With patience and mutual understanding, the Moroccan Sloughi proves to be an extraordinary life companion, endowed with great sensitivity, which it gladly shares with its loved ones.

As an adult, the Sloughi weighs between 20 and 25 kg (44 to 55 lb) for males and between 19 and 22 kg (41.8 to 48.5 lb) for females. Its height ranges from 66 to 72 cm (26" to 28.5") for males and from 61 to 68 cm (24" to 26.7") for females.