Sloughi
Dog of the Berber
The Sloughi is a sighthound of the Berber people of North Africa, originating in the countries of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. A rare breed outside its homeland, the Sloughi was traditionally used for hunting and as a guardian.
Appearance
Like all sighthounds, the Sloughi is built for speed, and although they resemble Greyhounds they are not as brawny, even in top physical condition. Often they are described as “looking sad” and have dropping ears and a long tail that is held low. Their coat is short and dense, while colors include different shades of red to sand or fawn, with or without a black mask or mantle, and may have black brindling. Some standards allow a small white patch on a Sloughi’s chest, but it is not desired.
History
Sloughi’s are thought to be an ancient breed of dog, once considered to be related to the Saluki. It is now believed that their closest relative is another African sighthound, the Azawakh. The exact origins of the breed have been lost, but it is thought that their ancestors came from Asia. Written record of them exists from the 13th century, but it is likely they have existed for more than 1,000 years. Like the Saluki, the Sloughi is treasured by its people, in this case, the nomadic Berber. They are treasured members of the family, often they would be decorated with jewelry and their legs were rituality branded by their masters. An owner would go without his own blanket to keep them warm, and they are mourned when they die. They were used for hunting various prey, such as hare, gazelles, foxes, and jackals, often working with falcons. Today, they are still a rare breed outside their homeland. Sloughis have never gained a wide popularity and were almost met with extinction by the turn of the 20th century.
Temperament
Sloughis are a proud and dignified breed, and although they are affectionate towards their owners they will never be subservient. They will always make the first move when meeting someone knew, and do not like to be approached by an enthusiastic stranger. Generally they get along well with children they have been raised with. Indoors they are calm and quiet, and yet outside they are almost entirely different dogs. They retain a high hunting instinct and will always chase anything outside that is smaller than they are. Inside they may be good companions to a housecat they have been raised with, but outside that same cat is fair game. When training this breed one must remember that they are an independent dog, and in some ways difficult to train. Sloughis need a patient handler that they can respect, for it is out of respect that they obey.
Health and Care
Generally a healthy breed, the lifespan of a Sloughi is about 12 years. They are prone to progressive retinal atrophy, and like most sighthounds, are sensitive to anesthesia and certain medications.
A Sloughi is generally not fit for apartment life; they do best with a yard and need daily walks. Ideally they have the opportunity to have a chance to get out and run, but because of their hunting instincts should never be off leash unless it is in a safe, fenced, area.
The short coat of a Sloughi requires very little grooming. They are average shedders.
