Why Sloughis are great
Sloughis are devoted, quiet and affectionate dogs that form strong bonds with their families. They are highly intelligent, sensitive animals that never show aggression. Although Sloughis were used for hunting, these dogs are very calm when indoors and are more than happy to spend their time snuggled up on a soft blanket.
Some highlights:
- Loyal companions
- Great watchdogs
- Low maintenance grooming
- Intelligent
Things to consider when looking at Sloughis for Sale
As with all dog breeds, Sloughis have a couple of characteristics that should be considered when deciding if this is the right breed for your family and lifestyle. A Sloughi is not the best breed for a first-time owner due to their stubborn personality and the challenges they present when it comes to training.
Some downsides to the Sloughi:
- High prey drive
- Need a lot of exercise
- Standoffish with strangers
History of Sloughis
The Sloughi is an ancient breed, with roots dating back to at least the 13th century, they are one of the oldest breeds of domestic dog. Originating in North Africa, Sloughis have a long association with Morocco, Libya, Algeria and Tunisia.
The breed was primarily used as sighthounds and they were held in very high regard. The Sloughis were used as hunting dogs and when not hunting they would guard property and livestock. The loyalty and devotion of the breed made them treasured companions.
A number of Sloughis had been imported to Europe by the end of the 19th century, mainly destined for France, Germany and Italy. The breed remained rare in Europe for a number of decades but after World War II they became far more popular.
Sloughis arrived in America in the 1970’s and the Sloughi Fanciers Association of America (SFAA) was founded in 1987. The breed was only officially recognised by the American Kennel Club in 2016.
As Sloughis are not as popular as many dog breeds it means that if you would like to bring one home, there is a high probability that you will need to go on a waiting list for a well-bred pedigree puppy. Although it’s worth the wait as Sloughis are loyal, affectionate and make excellent companions.
Appearance
A Sloughi is an elegant and graceful dog with a long, arched body, narrow chest and tucked belly. They have a well-muscled athletic build, are nicely proportioned and have a short, fine coat. Sloughis have dark amber eyes that portray a gentle expression and triangular ears that are typically folded downwards.
How big is the Sloughi?
A fully grown Sloughi will stand at between 61 – 72cm at the withers. Males tend to be ever so slightly bigger than the females.
How heavy is a Sloughi?
On average, an adult female Sloughi weighs between 18 – 23kg and an adult male weighs between 22 – 28kg.
What Colour is the Sloughi?
The coat colour of a Sloughi can be any shade of light sand to mahogany red fawn. This can include brindling, black markings (particularly black mask or ears) and black mantle.
Temperament
Loving with family but cautious of strangers, the Sloughi is athletic, intelligent and devoted. It is very important with Sloughis to introduce them to new situations and ensure they are well socialised from a young age as they are very sensitive and don’t handle new or unknown situations well.
Do Sloughis make good guard dogs?
Yes, a Sloughi is an excellent guard dog. The breed is loyal, alert and reliable, they will guard and protect their owners and property without hesitation.
Do Sloughis bark a lot?
No, Sloughis are generally quiet and will only bark if they feel there is a good reason to do so.
Are Sloughis easy to train?
Sloughis are very intelligent but they can also be stubborn, this makes them difficult dogs for first time owners. The Sloughi can be easy to train in the right hands but they tend to have a “what’s in it for me?” attitude, they respond well to positive reinforcement and firm, consistent training.
Are Sloughis playful?
Sloughis have a playful side to their nature, they tend to enjoy running around and can get very excited when it is play time.
Are Sloughis good with children?
Yes, Sloughis are great with children. They are better suited to be with older children and care should be taken around younger children who do not know how to act around a dog yet as loud noises and rough handling could make your Sloughi nervous.
Are Sloughis good with other pets?
A well socialised Sloughi is good with other dogs but interactions with smaller animals should be either avoided or approached with caution because of the Sloughis high prey drive.
Can I leave a Sloughi Alone?
Although they are not fond of being alone, a Sloughi can handle being on their own for short periods of time and are not known to suffer from separation anxiety.
Do Sloughis like water?
Most Sloughis enjoy water but they are not known for being “water dogs”.
Health
How long do Sloughis live?
The average lifespan for a Sloughi is 12 – 15 years.
How much exercise does a Sloughi need?
Sloughis are high energy dogs that need at least 2 hours of exercise each day. They enjoy running around in open spaces but it is vital to only let them off the lead in secure areas as if a Sloughi picks up a scent or sees a small animal moving, they will likely follow or chase.
What are Sloughis Common health issues?
The Sloughi is known to be a healthy, hardy dog and as such there are only a handful of health issues that affect the breed:
- Hypothyroidism
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Bloat
- Anaesthesia Sensitivity/ Allergy
Care
How much space do I need for a Sloughi?
The most important thing for a Sloughi is to have an active lifestyle. They are quiet and calm when indoors so can live in an apartment as long as they have regular exercise and ideally, have access to a secure garden to enjoy.
What should I feed my Sloughi?
When you bring your Sloughi puppy home it is important to follow the breeder’s feeding schedule to avoid stomach upsets. If you make changes to your dog’s diet it is important to do so gradually. Sloughis seem to prefer to eat food off the ground and, as a rough guide, a 22kg Sloughi should be fed between 295 - 380g of high quality dog food each day.
How much grooming do Sloughis need?
The short coat of a Sloughi needs next to no maintenance from you. Lightly brushing them each week will help to keep them looking healthy.
Do Sloughis shed?
Sloughis are low - moderate shedders, they tend to shed slightly more during Spring and Autumn.
Average costs
How much does it cost to keep a Sloughi?
As a rough guide in pricing:
Cost to buy: roughly £300 for a well-bred Sloughi puppy
Other costs (Vet, Food etc): £65 per month
Specific Buying Guide
You can read our general buying guide here (
/advice-on-buying-a-puppy/), with the most important thing being going to view your Sloughi Puppy, seeing it with its mother, and checking the quality of the breeder.
More specifically, here is some Sloughi puppy buying advice:
- It can be difficult to find Sloughi puppies within the UK which can result in being on waiting lists and paying a lot of money for a puppy.
- Be careful of scammers and irresponsible breeders. Always visit the breeder in person and ensure they can provide you with the appropriate paperwork for the puppy before exchanging any money.
Other reading, Adopting Sloughi Puppies and Rescue Organisations
A big thank you to the following sources who helped to shape this article:
https://www.sloughiclubuk.com/
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/sloughi/
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=1028
