Sloughi Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Sloughi?

The Sloughi breed seems to have developed sometime between 8000 and 7000 BC in North Africa. There they were used to help the local people, the Berber and Bedouin, hunt other animals like wild pigs, jackals, hares, and even ostriches.

While the breed is still wildly popular and rather common in North Africa in countries like Morocco, Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia, it has not made as many waves further afield.

For instance, the American Sloughi Association wasn't founded until 1989, and it would be many years before the breed finally received recognition from the American Kennel Club in 2016. This is despite being one of the oldest dog breeds in the entire world!

Even though the Sloughi breed wasn't officially recognised until 2016, in 2004, the American Kennel Club gave Sloughis the greenlight to be able to compete in lure coursing, obedience, agility, tracking, and other dog sports events. Unsurprising, the Sloughi excelled thanks to its great speed and agility that it originally developed for hunting.

Who are Sloughi dogs best for?

The Sloughi is known for being incredibly independent, which is unsurprising when you consider that these dogs were primarily used for hunting until around 40 years ago.

While the breed is considered to be very independent, they are also known to be very affectionate and loving towards their own families and have a special love for children.

They can also learn to get along with other dogs, and possibly even cats if they are socialised well from a young age. However, they have an exceptionally high prey drive and will most likely chase small animals like rabbits around your home all day if given a chance.

If you have small pets like rabbits, it would be a good idea to look for another dog breed that might suit you better. Since Sloughis have been used as hunting dogs for centuries, it will be rather difficult to train out a behaviour like that.

Sloughis are also not particularly fond of strangers and maybe aloof or even aggressive towards them depending on their level of socialisation and training with people from outside of your household.

Sloughis are generally best for active families, as they are a particularly energetic breed due to their use in hunting and chasing down game. A prospective Sloughi owners should know that they will need to provide their dog with a lot of exercise and mental stimulation in order to keep their dog happy.

A Sloughi will also do best with a large fenced-in yard, as their prey drive can and will cause them to chase after anything that piques their interest, which could become a serious issue.

How much grooming does a Sloughi need?

While the Sloughi has a short, smooth coat, it does tend to shed quite a lot, so prospective owners that are averse to dog hair will likely do best to look elsewhere.

While the Sloughi may shed a lot, they are generally very easy to groom, and brushing once a week and a bath once a month should suffice.

You should try to brush their teeth once a day if possible, check their ears for infection once a week, and trim their nails when you can hear them clicking on any hard ground.

Do Sloughi bark much?

Thankfully, this ancient breed doesn't bark all that much, which could make it the perfect choice for experienced dog owners that want a quieter dog ownership experience!

The Sloughi will only bark on the odd occasion if trained, exercised, and stimulated properly, but barking could become a nuisance if the dog becomes bored due to a lack of exercise and stimulation.

This means that owners should make a conscious effort to give their dogs more attention or exercise it more often before their barking habit becomes a more permanent issue.

Do Sloughi bite?

Sloughis are not known for being particularly mouthy, but when they are puppies, they can be known to give a nip or bite when someone is playing with them or handling them.

This behaviour can and should be trained out before it becomes a problem, as this will definitely be an issue by the time your Sloughi is full-grown.

What is the temperament & personality of a Sloughi?

The Sloughi is normally a quiet, reserved dog that will often seek attention on its own terms instead of loving to cuddle with you on the couch.

That's not to say that they aren't affectionate, as they often love spending time with their families. They are known to be a bit more apprehensive around strangers and will, therefore, need to be socialised properly, if you plan on bringing guests to your home regularly.

They seem to love kids specifically and can still make great family dogs if they are well looked after and socialised properly from an early age.

What is the weight & size of a Sloughi?

These are not small dogs; the Sloughi is a medium to large-sized dog breed that is usually between 61 and 72 cm tall. Most examples of the breed also weigh in between 25 and 28 kg.

How much training does a Sloughi need?

The Sloughi is an intelligent breed that you normally won't struggle to train; however, they can have a stubborn streak that may cause them not to listen from time to time.

This just means you will have to approach their training with patience, as they do respond very well to positive reinforcement. They will, however, often crumble under any negative reinforcement as they can be quite sensitive.

So, you won't struggle to teach this breed basic commands, and they are often known to excel in a variety of different dog sports disciplines if they are given proper training.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Sloughi?

The Sloughi is an ancient dog breed and is often more healthy than many other dog breeds; however, they are predisposed to a few health issues, such as:

• Addison's Disease: this will prevent your dog's adrenal glands from producing a normal amount of the hormones used to balance electrolytes.

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: this affects the retina cells and can lead to blindness eventually.

What is the lifespan of a Sloughi?

The Sloughi normally lives anywhere between 10 to 15 years.

How much should you feed a Sloughi?

You should see your vet to determine what food and portion sizes will be best for your Sloughi, but generally, they are not known for being prone to overeating or obesity. Your vet will also be able to advise you on their balanced nutritional requirements.

What is the price of a Sloughi in Australia?

Sloughis aren't easy to come by in Australia and, therefore, fetch a higher price than many other dogs.

If you are able to find a litter of Sloughi puppies in Australia, one will normally cost you around $1700. If you are struggling to find one, you should try and locate your nearest Sloughi breed club.