Sloughi
Other names: Arabian Greyhound

Devoted to its family yet aloof towards strangers, lean yet strong, and independent yet sensitive - the Sloughi is truly a dog of contradictions! This North African sighthound is athletic and elegant, built for speed and capable of hunting all kinds of game. In a family environment however, the Sloughi makes a quiet, loyal and affectionate companion - providing you can meet its high exercise needs, that is.
Key facts about the Sloughi
Origins and history
The Sloughi comes from North Africa as far back as the 13th century, where it was originally bred by the Berbers across Libya, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. It’s believed to have been the dog of choice for Egyptian royals and Berber kings, due to its sheer agility and capability of hunting large game. The breed didn’t reach Europe until the late 19th century and the USA until 1973, and is now, unfortunately, a very rare breed.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 10 - Sighthounds
Section
Section 3 : Short-haired Sighthounds
Physical characteristics of the Sloughi
Adult size
Female : Between 24 and 27 in
Male : Between 26 and 28 in
Weight
Female : Between 42 and 49 lb
Male : Between 44 and 55 lb
Coat colour
Black, brindle, fawn, red, sand, with or without black marks or brindling.
Type of coat
Short, fine, dense. An undercoat grows in cold weather conditions.
Eye colour
Amber to dark brown.
Description
The Sloughi is medium-sized (though definitely on the larger size of medium-sized breeds) with a distinctively lean and athletic appearance. While the body and legs both appear rather thin and boney, both are actually surprisingly strong and robust. Overall, this lean and athletic frame gives the breed a noble, elegant appearance. The head is long with a wedge-shaped muzzle, while the eyes are round and dark yet expressive. The ears are triangular in shape, of a medium size and fold downwards either side of the face.
Good to know
While the true origins of the Sloughi remain a mystery, many are convinced the breed is closely related to the Afghan Hound.