Sloughi breed: the Moroccan treasure

The Sloughi is a rare breed, elegant yet somewhat robust in appearance. A bit aloof, but can make an excellent companion in the right hands. It is no coincidence that it is so highly respected in its place of origin.

The Sloughi or Arabian Greyhound comes from the northern region of Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya). It is a powerful yet elegant breed with an almost noble attitude. Despite this, it is often considered to be the most “fighting” member of the Greyhound family. A saying often quoted in the sources illustrates the priceless value of Sloughis. It says that ‘a good falcon, a fast greyhound and a noble horse are worth more than twenty women’. Although this ‘wisdom’ of a few words might seem offensive to modern eyes, Greyhounds were indeed a great help in hunting and were often used for house-guarding, and are still highly valued animals.

History

Its origin is uncertain and there is no concrete data on when the Sloughi was first bred. What is more than likely is that they were the helpers of Berbers and Bedouins for a long time. According to some sources, the Arabs acquired the breed in the Middle Ages, while other sources suggest that the Berber cavalry of Hannibal (the Karhagan leader) carried these impressive dogs with them when they accompanied the general on his journey through the Alps. The latter occurred in 218 BC, which would make the breed (or its immediate predecessor) more than 2,000 years old, but some would put the origins back even further.

This dignified breed was a popular hunting dog. It originated in warm and arid regions where its primary role was to chase and catch game. It is still used on hunts today and is an excellent helper. So revered and respected were these dogs that they were said to be protected by talismans.

Breed standard

The Sloughi is noble in appearance, muscular and lean in build, with a height of 60-72 cm and a weight of 15-30 kg. The coat is short and the colour of the coat is usually in shades of yellow (sand), cream, mahogany and red, or black and white with or without a black mask from the nose. It has a deep, elbow-deep chest and a highly distended belly. The neck is strong and elongated. Head shape resembles that of the English Greyhound with a strong jaw. It has a V-shaped, mostly drooping or protruding ears and an elongated nose, which may be black or brown. The forehead is flat. Eyes deep-set, dark in colour and relatively large.

It has long forelimbs and visibly strong hind legs, the tail is slightly tapered. The muzzle is straight and muscular. Tail is long, drooping downwards or following the dorsal line, slightly downwards. The end of the tail is bent backwards, sometimes even stubbed. Sloughi belongs to the FCI breed group X, the Greyhounds, and within this group to the short-haired breeds. The breed was adopted in 1934 and the current breed standard was published in 1998.

Character

The Sloughi is an intelligent and cunning dog with very high energy levels. It is usually described as a “one-owner” or “one-family” dog because it is very distrustful of strangers. When not in action, they are a calm tempered dog, provided their owner can meet their physical and mental needs. He needs a lot of exercise for a dog, he is a sporting dog. He should be given the opportunity to exercise, he is suitable for dog sports that encourage this love of speed, such as Greyhound racing. Sloughi is a gentle breed, typically reserved with his environment, this should be taken into account when socialising him.

He is loyal to his chosen people, but also somewhat independent and stubborn, which can make training a little difficult. This trait can be frustrating for a novice owner and is not usually recommended as a first dog. He does not respond well to overly harsh methods and needs a patient, gentle and consistent owner with a positive attitude to his training. If you have this, you can get the best out of him and he can become a wonderful companion.

Ideal environment

Although the Sloughi is good with older children, it is not recommended for littles. It’s best if you have room to run, so a house with a larger yard is a great place to do it. On the other hand, if given the space to “get out” his excess energy (through dog exercise or running), he will do well indoors. It should be added that when we talk about running, we do not mean running together with the dog. 

Generally speaking, especially in Greyhounds, their anatomy is designed for explosive, fast running, not jogging, which the owner can provide. So as obvious as it might be to run together in the morning (unless it’s in an area where you can safely run at your own pace), it’s not the right sport for him.

This dog has a high hunting instinct, so (although it is not recommended, and in most places not allowed) the off-leash walking is not the best option for them. Combination of their speed and instinct can lead to an unpleasant outcome, so responsible walking is particularly important in their case. The leash (which can be up to 15-20-30 metres long) is not there to take away the dog’s freedom, but to keep the dog and its environment safe. His hunting instinct can be problematic not only in terms of walking. It is not recommended for small pets, only if they are carefully and carefully trained.

Care

Sloughi has short hair, so we don’t have much to do with him, at least as far as combing and grooming is concerned. A weekly brushing and occasional bathing is enough to keep the dog clean. His ears should be checked often to avoid infection. The nails should be trimmed if necessary.

Common health problems

Sloughis are generally considered a healthy breed, but but the following two diseases are common.

• Addison’s disease: this disease affects the adrenal glands, which are not functioning properly. This is results in a decrease in physiological functions (hormone production) related to the adrenal cortex.
  This can lead to metabolic collapse, dehydration, circulatory failure, coma if left untreated, and eventually death.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: covers the death of retinal cells leading to blindness.