The Sloughi is an ancient sighthound breed. These graceful dogs are fairly new to American Kennel Club(AKC) breed recognition, but date back thousands of years. Learn more about the breed with these Sloughi fun facts.
The Breed Was Developed In Africa
Developed in the North African area that includes Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia. The exact origins of the breed are unknown, but it may date back as far as 8000 – 7000 B.C.
This Ancient Breed Was Made to Hunt
Sloughis were used to hunt large and small game, such as gazelle, wild pigs, jackals, foxes, ostriches, and hares, over harsh terrain, including brush, mountains, and desert sand.
The Berber and Bedouin people of North Africa cherish the Sloughi for its amazing hunting skills. It has great speed and agility and shows endurance over long distances with a supple, long-strided, and effortless gait. This member of the Hound Group is also treasured for its loyalty to its owner and its elegant beauty. Although they share some characteristics with the Saluki, the Sloughi is a distinctly separate breed.
They’re Almost the Rarest Breed
Out of the over 200 breeds that the American Kennel Club recognizes, Sloughis are consistently among the rarest breeds. In the 2025 AKC registration statistics, the Sloughi ranked 201st out of 202. They’re consistently in the top five rarest breeds year over year.
They Have a Different Breed as a Nickname
The ancient Sloughi has a unique nickname: one that belongs to another dog breed. They’re called the ‘Arabian Greyhound,’ despite being a separate breed. They do bear resemblance to the Greyhound, but are different breeds.
The Sloughi In the U.S.
The first Sloughi to enter the United States was Tagiurie el Sian in 1973. By 1981, the first American litter of Sloughis was born.
One of Two FCI Breeds
The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognizes two African Sighthound breeds. The Sloughi is one of them, hailing from North Africa. The Azawakh, native to Central Africa, is the other recognized African Sighthound breed.
Their Unique Build Has a Purpose
This is a medium-large dog with an athletic build. It is robust yet graceful, and according to the breed standard, has no exaggerations in its physique. Males are generally larger than females and stand between 26 and 29 inches high at the top of the shoulder. Females stand between 24 and 27 inches high. The male’s body is very slightly taller, from the top of the withers to the ground, than it is long, from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks. In contrast, a female’s body may have slightly longer proportions than the male.
The Breed Still Hails From Its Place of Origin
The Sloughis that are bred in the United States and Europe are still imported. They come from countries where the ancient breed also originated. Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, and Algeria are the countries from which modern Sloughis originate.
A Dog of Many Colors
The Sloughi has a short, smooth coat with fine, tight hair. Any feathering on the ears, tail, or legs is considered a disqualification in the Conformation ring. The coat colors of the Sloughi range from light sand (cream) to mahogany red fawn.
The coat can be with or without brindling or black markings such as a black mask or black ears, and there shouldn’t be any invasive white markings. However, small to medium white marks on the chest or toes are allowed.
Their Skulls Are a Unique Shape
One of this noble and somewhat aloof breed’s unique and identifying characteristics is its long and elegant wedge-shaped head. It tapers from a broad skull at the back to long, refined strong jaws at the front.
The Sloughi’s eyes are large, oval-to-almond-shaped, and dark, with a gentle, slightly sad expression.
The Sloughi Is 20 Years Young – In the AKC
While the American Kennel Club has been around for over 140 years, the Sloughi is thousands of years older. Despite this, the Sloughi has only been involved with the AKC since 1997. They were accepted into the Foundation Stock Service that year.
In 2004, the AKC made Sloughis eligible to compete in agility, obedience, tracking, and lure coursing events. In 2016, the AKC officially recognized the breed.
Key Takeaways
- The Sloughi is an ancient North African sighthound that may date back to 8000 to 7000 B.C.
- Bred for hunting, the breed is known for its speed, endurance, agility, and elegant appearance.
- The Sloughi consistently ranks among the rarest breeds recognized by the AKC.
- The breed entered the AKC Foundation Stock Service in 1997 and gained full AKC recognition in 2016.
- Modern Sloughis continue to trace their ancestry to North African countries including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is the Sloughi related to the Greyhound?
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The Sloughi is sometimes called the “Arabian Greyhound” because of its similar appearance and athletic build. However, it is a separate breed with its own history and breed standard.
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How rare is the Sloughi?
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The Sloughi is one of the rarest breeds recognized by the AKC. In 2025 registration rankings, it placed 201st out of 202 recognized breeds.
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When did the AKC recognize the Sloughi?
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The AKC officially recognized the Sloughi in 2016. The breed first entered the Foundation Stock Service in 1997 and became eligible for several AKC performance sports in 2004.
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Where do Sloughis come from?
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The breed originated in North Africa, particularly in the region encompassing Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. Modern breeding programs continue to incorporate dogs from these countries.