Sloughi Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya)
The Sloughi is an ancient North African sighthound bred for hunting in desert terrain, prized for its speed, endurance, and strong bond with its owner. It is a lean, elegant dog with a sensitive temperament that requires experienced handling and a calm, structured environment.
| Breed | Sloughi |
| Size | Large (45–65 lbs) |
| Height | 24–29 inches |
| Lifespan | 12–16 years |
| Temperament | Loyal, Sensitive, Reserved |
| Energy Level | High●●●●○ |
| Good With Kids | ❌ Not ideal |
| Grooming | Minimal |
| Training | Fair |
| Shedding | Light |
| Best For | Experienced Owners |
🐕 Sloughi Overview
The Sloughi is one of the oldest sighthound breeds in the world, originating across North Africa where it was used by Berber and Arab nomads to course game over vast desert landscapes. It carries itself with quiet dignity and tends to be deeply bonded to one person or a small family unit rather than being outwardly social with strangers. Despite its athletic build and high prey drive, it is calm indoors and does not demand constant attention, though it does require daily exercise and mental stimulation to remain settled.
📜 History & Origin
The Sloughi has been documented in North Africa for thousands of years, with depictions believed to appear in ancient Egyptian and Berber art dating back several millennia. Traditionally kept by nomadic tribes across Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, the breed was treated as a valued companion rather than merely a working animal, sometimes permitted inside tents and mourned upon death. The Sloughi was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2016, making it one of the more recently acknowledged ancient breeds in Western registries despite its long documented history.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 45–65 lbs (20–29 kg)
- Height: 24–29 inches (61–74 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 35–50 lbs
- Height: 23–27 inches
Coat type: Short, smooth, and tight-fitting
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
Sloughis require careful supervision around young children. Early socialisation is essential. Best suited to families with older children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Can show aggression toward other dogs or animals. Early socialisation is important, but this breed may need careful management in multi-pet households.
🏃 Exercise Needs
Sloughis are high-energy dogs that require at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. This includes brisk walks, off-leash running, fetch, or swimming. Without adequate exercise, they can become destructive or develop behavioural problems.
⚠️ Apartment living: Not ideal. A house with a garden is strongly preferred.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (Sloughi)
- Daily amount: 2.5 to 3.5 cups of high-quality dry food split into two meals of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Weekly brush is usually sufficient.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average Sloughi lifespan is 12–16 years. Larger breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United States
Pedigree AKC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Europe
Pedigree FCI-registered puppy from health-tested parents
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Experienced dog owners
- Active individuals or couples
- Homes with large fenced yards
❌ Cons
- First-time dog owners
- Families with very young children
- Requires significant daily exercise
🆚 Sloughi vs Other Breeds
✅ Sloughi wins at
The Sloughi tends to be slightly more adaptable to cooler climates and has a marginally calmer indoor demeanor.
✅ Azawakh wins at
The Azawakh is considered even more extreme in its loyalty and territorial guarding instincts, appealing to owners who want a more protective sighthound.
✅ Sloughi wins at
The Sloughi has a slightly more robust build and tends to form an intensely close single-family bond that some owners find deeply rewarding.
✅ Saluki wins at
The Saluki is more widely available, better recognized globally, and generally considered a touch more trainable for first-time sighthound owners.
🏠 Who Should Own a Sloughi?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Experienced dog owners
- Active individuals or couples
- Homes with large fenced yards
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- First-time dog owners
- Families with very young children
- You live in a small apartment without outdoor access
- You have a very sedentary lifestyle
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sloughi good for families?
The Sloughi can be a loyal and affectionate companion within a calm, experienced household but is generally not recommended for families with young children due to its sensitive nature and low tolerance for rough handling. It tends to bond closely with one or two people rather than being broadly social across a large family group. Households with older, respectful children and a quiet environment are far better suited to this breed than busy or chaotic homes.
How much does a Sloughi puppy cost?
In the United Kingdom, a Sloughi puppy from a reputable breeder typically costs between 1,200 and 2,200 GBP depending on lineage and availability. In Pakistan the price generally ranges from 80,000 to 180,000 PKR, though the breed is rare and finding a verified breeder may be difficult. In India, expect to pay approximately 60,000 to 150,000 INR, with price varying significantly based on import lineage and breeder reputation.
Is Sloughi easy to train?
The Sloughi is not considered easy to train and is generally recommended for experienced dog owners who understand independent sighthound thinking. It is intelligent but responds poorly to harsh or repetitive training methods, doing best with calm, consistent, and positive reinforcement-based sessions kept short and varied. Early socialization from puppyhood is critical to prevent the breed from becoming overly shy or reactive around strangers and unfamiliar environments.
What food is best for a Sloughi?
The Sloughi thrives on a high-quality diet rich in lean protein sources such as chicken, lamb, or fish to support its lean muscular frame and active metabolism. A raw or high-meat dry kibble diet with limited fillers like corn and soy is preferred by many experienced Sloughi owners and breeders. Adult dogs typically require 2.5 to 3.5 cups of premium dry food per day split across two meals, though portion size should be adjusted based on the individual dog's activity level and body condition.
Does Sloughi bark a lot?
The Sloughi is generally a quiet breed and does not bark excessively under normal circumstances, which makes it less disruptive in residential settings. It may bark as an alert to strangers or unusual sounds, but prolonged or nuisance barking is not typical of the breed.
Can a Sloughi live in an apartment?
The Sloughi is not well suited to apartment living due to its size, energy level, and strong need for open space to run and exercise daily. It does best in a home with access to a large, securely fenced yard where it can sprint freely without the risk of chasing prey out of sight.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Sloughi is best suited to experienced dog owners who understand the breed's specific needs. With a lifespan of 12–16 years, high energy demands, and minimal grooming requirements, the Sloughi is better suited to adult households or families with older children.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the Sloughi will reward you with years of loyal companionship.