Description: The Sloughi is a dog that is slightly higher than it is in length. The head is slim and the muzzle is long, ending in a tapered point. The eyes are almond in shape and the color is dark brown. The ears hang and are set far back on the head coming down towards the lower end of the cheek, these are not flat but more folded and have creases. The body is thin and agile, with a look similar to the greyhound, having a tightly tucked tummy. The bones are prominent and the legs long with small compact feet. The tail reaches to the hock and is thin with a slight curve. The height is 26.4-28.3 inches in the dog and the bitch is slightly smaller at 24-26.7 inches. The weight is 55-65 pounds in the dog and 35-50 in the bitch. The coat color is solid in all shades of red to light red sand and they can have a black mask, or brindle, and the most common color being sand. This is a short coat. The life expectancy is 10-15 years.

History: This dog, the Sloughi, comes from Morocco and is a very old breed of dog. The worlds map has changed several times but this breed has seen it all. There is writing going back to the 13th century about this breed. The Sloughi comes from the Northern Saharan area of Maghreb. This breed was highly prized and had a better life and value than other dogs. The Sloughi were owned by the kings and high officials of the day. In those days a lot of care went into keeping the breed pure and owners would travel vast distances to pair with the right mate. There were two sizes and these are the desert which are smaller and more lithe, and the mountain Sloughi who were larger. The closest relative is the Azawakh, a dog living with the tribes in Southern Sahara. In the west the two sizes have been mixed and there is less difference. They are a sight hound and have been used to hunt gazelles, fox and desert hare.

Temperament: The Sloughi has been, and is, a hunting dog. They have not come far from their roots inasmuch as this dog, if off the lead, will run and hunt with no thought of anything but to the job in hand, of hunting. As a result many have been injured or killed in traffic accidents. Therefore they can only be let off the leash, to run, in a very safe place. They have a need to run and the balance has to be found. Here is a dog that loves their family and will come back from a run. They have high energy and will need to have good exercise daily this can be with you on a run or daily jog. They will protect the home and livestock. They are not good with small non canine pets as the hunting instinct is too great. They are however very affectionate to their owners and have a good level intelligentsia. Here is a dog that doesn’t make the best dog for obedience but they do well in basic training, if the owner can show fair and gentle training skills. They need an owner to set house rules and show fairness, being a good pack leader that is consistent.

Health issues: Overall the Sloughi is a healthy dog but there have been some PRA, hemophilia and the odd case of deficient immune system. Like a lot of the sight hound dogs this breed can be sensitive to anesthetics.

Grooming: As the Sloughi has short hair they are easy to keep clean. Using a rubber brush or curry brush is all that is required to keep the coat clean. They are in need of protection in wet or cold weather as this is a desert dwelling dog and they do not like cold weather.

Living conditions: The Sloughi needs a warm dry and soft place to live and can live in an apartment providing that daily walks and runs are given. Any garden has to have good fencing, that is high, to stop this dog running off after prey.