The AKC has grouped all of the breeds that it registers into seven categories, or groups, roughly based on function and heritage. Breeds are grouped together because they share traits of form and function or a common heritage.
The Sloughi is a medium-large, short-haired, smooth-coated, athletic sighthound developed in North Africa (in the area including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya) to hunt game such as hare, fox, jackal, gazelle, and wild pigs. It is an ancient breed, treasured in North Africa for its hunting skills, speed, agility, and endurance over long distances. It is a robust, but elegant and racy, pursuit dog with no exaggeration of length of body or limbs, muscle development, angulation, nor curve of loin. The Sloughi is not a fragile dog, but is also a dog with class and grace. The attitude is noble and somewhat aloof, and the expression of the dark eyes is gentle and melancholy.
In profile, the head is long and refined with a deep and sturdy character. From above, it has the shape of a long wedge, tapering from the cranial area to the tip of the nose. Eyes – The eyes are large, dark, well set in their sockets, and oval to almond-shaped. The eye color is shades of dark brown to dark amber. The eye rims are pigmented. Ears -The ears are set at about the level of the eye and droop close to the head when the animal is at rest. The ears are of medium size, triangular in shape, and slightly rounded at the tips. Disqualifications are ears erect, or small and folding backwards in a “rose ear.”
The chest is not too wide and almost, but not quite, reaches the level of the elbow. Ribs – The ribs are flat, long, and slightly curved in the posterior third of the chest. Underline – The underline starts as a straight line at the sternum and rises up in a smooth curve to the belly. Tuck-up – The belly is well tucked up. Back – The back is short, almost level (horizontal) between the withers and the hip bones. Loin – The loin is short, lean, wide, and slightly arched. Croup – The croup is bony and oblique with apparent hip bones that project above the line of the back to the same height as, or slightly higher than, the withers.
Angulation – Well open. Shoulders – Shoulder Blades – The shoulder blades are long. Legs – The forelegs are straight, bony, and muscular. The forelegs appear long. Pasterns – The pasterns are slightly sloping, supple, and strong.
Angulation -Open angulation, stifle and hock well open. Legs – When showing, the hind legs should be left in their natural, upright position so that the level (horizontal) line of the back remains apparent. Upper Thigh – The upper thigh is lean, flat, and muscular and, at rest, is nearly vertical. Second Thigh – The second thigh is long and well muscled.
The coat of the Sloughi is always smooth. The hair is short, tight, and fine all over the body. The Sloughi is presented in natural condition. Disqualifications are coat other than short, tight, and smooth and/or feathering on the ears, tail, and/or legs.
The Sloughi (SLOO-ghee) is a classically constructed sighthound of ancient lineage, originally bred to work on such game as hare, fox, jackal, gazelle, and wild pigs on the punishing terrain of its homeland. This is a lean, no-frills hound standing between 24 to 29 inches at the shoulder. Coat colors include shades of light sand to mahogany red-fawn, with or without brindling, with or without black markings, with no invasive white markings. The Sloughi’s big, dark eyes are often described as “melancholy.”
The Sloughi should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
The Sloughi’s short, smooth, and fine coat requires very little in the way of maintenance. Weekly brushing with a soft bristle brush or a hound glove should keep it smooth and sleek. An occasional bath can help to keep the hound clean-smelling. The ears should be regularly inspected and cleaned if needed. The nails should be trimmed regularly as needed, as overly long nails can cause the dog discomfort.
Though usually sedate while in the home, the Sloughi is a somewhat active breed—he is a mannerly housedog possessed of high prey drive when in pursuit. This elegant, very athletic hound needs ample exercise, preferably including opportunities to run full out in a safely enclosed area. Canine sports such as lure coursing can engage the breed with mental and physical activity he will greatly enjoy.
The Sloughi is an intelligent and loyal breed that is somewhat aloof. He does best with caring and sensitive owners. Sloughis need ample exercise, and do not respond well to harsh training methods. Despite their athleticism, they are very quiet in the home. Some Sloughis are shy; most are simply very careful and cautious about their personal space. They have a strong sense of self, which shows clearly when they are pursuing games or are strongly challenged. As with most sighthounds, care is necessary when a Sloughi is off lead.
Sloughi puppies require socialization, such as puppy classes and exposure to many new people and situations, in order to become properly adjusted adults. Being a sensitive sighthound, the Sloughi requires training methods that are based in the principles of positive reinforcement.
Sloughis are generally healthy dogs, and responsible breeders test their stock for health conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy. A Sloughi’s ears should be checked regularly for signs of infection, and the teeth should be brushed often, using a toothpaste formulated for dogs. Regular visits to the vet for checkups and parasite control help to ensure the dog a long, healthy life.
Recommended Health Tests from the National Breed Club:
Read the Official Breed Club Health Statement.
The Sloughi is a medium-large, short-haired, smooth-coated, athletic sighthound developed in North Africa (in the area including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya) to hunt game such as hare, fox, jackal, gazelle, and wild pigs. It is an ancient breed, treasured in North Africa for its hunting skills, speed, agility, and endurance over long distances. It is a robust, but elegant and racy, pursuit dog with no exaggeration of length of body or limbs, muscle development, angulation, nor curve of loin. The Sloughi is not a fragile dog, but is also a dog with class and grace. The attitude is noble and somewhat aloof, and the expression of the dark eyes is gentle and melancholy.
In profile, the head is long and refined with a deep and sturdy character. From above, it has the shape of a long wedge, tapering from the cranial area to the tip of the nose. Eyes – The eyes are large, dark, well set in their sockets, and oval to almond-shaped. The eye color is shades of dark brown to dark amber. The eye rims are pigmented. Ears -The ears are set at about the level of the eye and droop close to the head when the animal is at rest. The ears are of medium size, triangular in shape, and slightly rounded at the tips. Disqualifications are ears erect, or small and folding backwards in a “rose ear.”
The chest is not too wide and almost, but not quite, reaches the level of the elbow. Ribs – The ribs are flat, long, and slightly curved in the posterior third of the chest. Underline – The underline starts as a straight line at the sternum and rises up in a smooth curve to the belly. Tuck-up – The belly is well tucked up. Back – The back is short, almost level (horizontal) between the withers and the hip bones. Loin – The loin is short, lean, wide, and slightly arched. Croup – The croup is bony and oblique with apparent hip bones that project above the line of the back to the same height as, or slightly higher than, the withers.
Angulation – Well open. Shoulders – Shoulder Blades – The shoulder blades are long. Legs – The forelegs are straight, bony, and muscular. The forelegs appear long. Pasterns – The pasterns are slightly sloping, supple, and strong.
Angulation -Open angulation, stifle and hock well open. Legs – When showing, the hind legs should be left in their natural, upright position so that the level (horizontal) line of the back remains apparent. Upper Thigh – The upper thigh is lean, flat, and muscular and, at rest, is nearly vertical. Second Thigh – The second thigh is long and well muscled.
The coat of the Sloughi is always smooth. The hair is short, tight, and fine all over the body. The Sloughi is presented in natural condition. Disqualifications are coat other than short, tight, and smooth and/or feathering on the ears, tail, and/or legs.
| Description | Standard Colors | Registration Code |
| Cream | Check Mark For Standard Color | 076 |
| Mahogany | Check Mark For Standard Color | 128 |
| Red | Check Mark For Standard Color | 140 |
| Sandy | Check Mark For Standard Color | 168 |
| Description | Standard Markings | Registration Code |
| Black Brindle | Check Mark For Standard Mark | 118 |
| Black Mask | Check Mark For Standard Mark | 004 |
| Brindle | Check Mark For Standard Mark | 051 |
| Brindle Black Mantle | Check Mark For Standard Mark | 448 |
| Darker Overlay | Check Mark For Standard Mark | 061 |
| Mantle | Check Mark For Standard Mark | 447 |
