Breed Name: Sloughi

Dog Group:Hound (Windhound)

Registration Organizations: StatesKennel Club

National Club Name: Sloughi Fanciers Association of America

National Club Address:

   P.O. Box 1202
   Wildomar, CA  92595

An excellent Sloughi Breed article by Dominique Crapon de Caprona PhD. Please use your browser's return button to return to NetPet Magazine.

Breed Description:

Original Purpose:

The sloughi's primary game today is the desert hare, but traditionally they were used to hunt gazelle and have been highly prized as Jackal hunters. The jackal may have had a part in the development of the Sloughi and Azawakh as all three share an allele which does not appear in any other domestic breed of dog (including the Saluki).


Breed History:

The sloughi is believed to be a direct descendant of an ancient sighthound prototype. Pictographs of a smooth coated, drop eared sighthound appear in ancient literature and burial tombs. The sloughi is NOT simply a smooth Saluki, as some have claimed but a breed that has been recognized as such for many years in Europe. In it's home countries, the sloughi's dropped ears are commonly cropped so that they are not torn during a fight with a jackal.

This bedouin crop is very unusual and undoubtedly performed on the pups without anesthesia. It appears that the ear is folded in half from top to bottom and then the folded ear cut close to the head. The result is almost no ear, but two small points where the ear joins the skull. Often the front legs are also ritually branded, which supposedly strengthens them.

The sloughi has been an FCI breed for a number of years and is shown throughout Europe. It's ears are never cropped outside of the bedouin tribes and the only cosmetic surgery performed is the optional removal of front dewclaws. The first sloughi probably entered the US in 1973.

Earliest record: Some representations date to 700-800 BC


Country of Origin: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya


Year of Registry with AKC: Not applicable - not AKC recognized


Breed Registration Statistics:
While there is no formal data at this time, there are fewer than 200 Sloughis in the United States. In 1994 approximately 4 litters were bred and registered.

Size:

• Height (inches): 25-29 (dogs);24-27 (bitches)
  
• Weight (pounds): 50-75 (dogs); 40-60 (bitches)
  

Eye color: Dark Brown

Lips: Tight

Ear type: Drop

Cosmetic Surgeries (to establish 'breed look')? Optional removal of dewclaws only.

Color: Solid colors only, with or without black mask; with or without black mantle (overlay). Sand, Light sand, fawn (red sand), sand with black overlay. Brindle of all colors.

Coat Type: Smooth coated with hair of short to medium length.

Temperment: The Sloughi is gentle, affectionate and extremely loyal to his owner(s) and family members, but is aloof with strangers. When acquired as puppies, they bond strongly and quickly to their new owners. Their insticts are well developed at an early age making them easy to house train if a reasonable schedule is maintained. They truly enjoy warmth and comfort and do not enjoy wet weather. They are adaptable to colder temperatures if care is taken to keep them out of the wind and wet.

Sloughis require a fenced yard large enough for them to run in. Once bonded to a particular family, sloughis often do not change owners well. For this reason careful consideration should be given before deciding a sloughi is the right dog for you. In general, sloughis are best understood by people who have owned sighthounds before and are comfortable with the aloof and clannish nature of the sighthound temperament.

Special Requirements: A fenced yard is a must for this breed as is regular excersize. Once excersized they are happy to find a cozy corner from which to watch the household. Patience and consistancy are essential to training the sloughi, they can be extremely stubborn.

Typical Competitive Activities for this Breed: Sloughis are accepted for NOTRA oval track racing and NOFCA Open Field Hunting. ASFA has accepted them for Miscellaneous stake coursing starting 1/1/96

Breed Pluses: They are extremely loyal and affectionate dogs with their owners. They are lovely to look at and are clean, quiet and well behaved as house dogs. They are also good watch dogs and afford a sense of security.

Breed Minuses: Sloughis can be shy and misunderstood. They are very sensitive to harsh treatment although they do need firm correction as youngsters. They are diggers in a big way, they excavate caves, not just cooling depressions. The breed is not numerous enough to yet have a recognized set of health problems, but in general they are very healthy.

Who should own this breed? People who truly understand and enjoy the subtle nature of sighthounds. People who have owned other sighthounds are attracted to the breed.

Who should not own this breed? People who expect a high degree of obedience and compliance to rules. A Sloughi is not a good choice for a first dog. People who need to feel "loved" by their dog and want lots of attention from their dog

Bibliography

Contributing Author for the Sloughi article: Dulcie Long

For additional information on this breed e-mailCourser@aol.com