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AKC: Sloughi breed overview

Hound group · Morocco (North Africa)

Sloughi

Also called Arabian Greyhound, Sloughi Moghrebi

A reserved North African sighthound that gives its heart to one family and keeps strangers at a polite distance.

Berber and Bedouin hunters of North Africa bred this smooth-coated sighthound to run down hare, gazelle and jackal. Today's Sloughi is gentle, sensitive and deeply attached to its own family, but aloof with strangers and easily upset by harsh treatment.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

18 to 28 kg

40 to 62 lb

Height

61 to 72 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 15 yrs

Activity estimate

60 to 90 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

20 months

approximate model input

Life with a Sloughi

For centuries the Sloughi was the hunting partner of Berber and Bedouin families across the Maghreb, running down hare, gazelle, fox and jackal over stony plains and desert edges. A good hound was a valued possession, often kept inside the family tent, fed well and sheltered from heat and cold, while rougher dogs guarded the flocks outside.

It is often mistaken for the Saluki, but the Sloughi is a separate breed with a different look and personality. Its coat is short and smooth all over, its head is broader and less refined, and its temperament tends to be more guarded. It bonds very deeply with its own people and usually prefers to watch strangers from a distance.

At home a Sloughi is calm and clean, spending much of the day asleep on the softest surface it can find. It is sensitive to atmosphere and does best in a quiet, predictable household; loud voices, chaotic homes or rough handling can make it withdrawn or anxious. Those who earn its trust describe a gentle, loyal and surprisingly affectionate companion.

What stands out

Training

Sloughis are intelligent but independent and sensitive. They learn best with gentle, reward-based training in short sessions and rarely respond well to repetition or raised voices. Many show little interest in formal obedience yet readily learn whatever they judge useful.

Read the full training guide

Easy to train

Open with strangers

Good with other dogs

A great match for

calm adult households
experienced sighthound owners
homes with secure, high fencing
people wanting a quiet, clean companion

Think twice if

reserved or suspicious with strangers
sensitivity to harsh voices and rough handling
chase instinct that makes recall unreliable
poor tolerance of cold
anxiety when left alone for long periods

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Sloughi eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	21 kg	960 kcal	260 g (2.5 cups)
Female, typical pet	21 kg	1100 kcal	295 g (3 cups)
Male, typical pet	25 kg	1250 kcal	340 g (3.5 cups)
Male, very active	25 kg	1570 kcal	425 g (4.3 cups)

Full Sloughi feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Sloughi

FeedingA healthy Sloughi looks lean, and that is how it should stay. 25 cups, split into two meals, and a fit dog shows the outline of the last two or three ribs and the hip bones.Read more Puppy growthSloughi puppies grow tall and gangly, reaching most of their height by about 12 months but taking until 18 months to 2 years to fill out. Adolescents often look like nothing but legs, which is normal.Read more ExerciseAbout 45 to 60 minutes a day, including a chance to sprint in a securely fenced area several times a week, suits most adults. Sloughis are sprinters rather than endurance athletes, and they enjoy lure coursing, straight racing and long, steady walks.Read more GroomingThe short coat needs little care: a weekly rub with a rubber mitt or soft brush removes loose hair and keeps the skin healthy. Sloughis have very little doggy odor and may need a bath only a few times a year.Read more HealthThe Sloughi is generally a healthy breed. The best-known inherited problem is a form of progressive retinal atrophy, for which a DNA test exists.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Found across Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya; the FCI lists Morocco as its country of origin
2Unlike the Saluki, it has no feathering on its ears or tail
3A prized hunting dog was often allowed to sleep inside the family tent
4Colors stay within the sand to mahogany range, sometimes with a black mask, brindle or overlay
5Carries so little body fat that it needs soft bedding and a coat in cold weather

Sloughi questions

What is the difference between a Sloughi and a Saluki?

Both are North African and Middle Eastern sighthounds, but they are separate breeds. The Sloughi has a short, smooth coat everywhere, while most Salukis have feathering on the ears, legs and tail. The Sloughi's head is broader, its colors are limited to sand, red and mahogany shades with possible black markings, and its temperament is often more reserved.

Are Sloughis good with children?

They can be gentle and tolerant with calm, respectful children in their own family. They are sensitive dogs that dislike noise, chaos and rough play, however, so homes with toddlers or very boisterous children may not suit them. Teaching children to let the dog rest and to approach quietly makes a big difference.

Can Sloughis live with cats?

Some can, especially if raised with cats from puppyhood. Their chase instinct is strong, though, and even a Sloughi that lives peacefully with the family cat may chase cats outdoors. Introductions should be gradual and supervised, and some adults should never be trusted with small animals at all.

Do Sloughis need a coat in winter?

In cold climates, yes. Sloughis carry very little body fat and have a thin, short coat, so they feel the cold quickly. A well-fitted coat for walks below about 10°C (50°F), plus warm, soft bedding indoors, keeps them comfortable. Watch for shivering, a hunched posture or reluctance to go outside.

Why is my Sloughi shy with visitors?

Reserve with strangers is typical of the breed and reflects its history as a family hunter and watchful tent companion. Many Sloughis prefer to observe newcomers before approaching. Ask visitors to ignore the dog, never force interactions, and reward calm behavior. With time most become polite, though few will ever be outgoing with strangers.

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