Sloughi: the North African sighthound that slept in the Bedouin's tent

In the Roman mosaics of Volubilis, in what is now Morocco, dogs of an unmistakable silhouette appear: prominent ribs, a deeply tucked-up belly, long fine legs, a narrow head. Archaeologists date those mosaics to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, which makes this sighthound one of the oldest visually documented breeds of the Mediterranean. Long before the Romans set it in stone, the nomadic tribes of the Maghreb had built a relationship with it that has no equivalent in Western dog culture. The hound slept inside the tent, ate with the family, and held a status the Arabs reserved for a handful of animals. The word kalb (dog) was not applied to this Maghreb hound, because in the tribe's hierarchy it was no ordinary dog. The Aïssaoua tribe and the Marabouts regarded it as distinct, almost sacred, and the Bedouins passed it down from one generation to the next the way you pass down a treasured possession. That is how the Sloughi reached us: intact in its build, intact in its character.

What the breed looks like

The Sloughi belongs to FCI Group 10 (sighthounds), Section 3 (short-haired sighthounds), under Standard No. 188, and the AKC placed it in the Hound Group when it gained full recognition in 2016. Males stand 26 to 29 in (66-72 cm) at the shoulder; females, 24 to 27 in (61-68 cm). Weight runs from about 45 to 65 lb (20-30 kg) depending on size and sex.

The outline is that of a lean athlete with no spare weight. The topline is nearly straight with a slight rise over the loin. The belly is sharply tucked. The ribs show at rest and stand out clearly in motion. This is not a sign of malnutrition; it is the correct conformation of the breed, and anyone who does not understand that can mistake a healthy dog for one in poor shape.

The head is long, with a slightly domed skull and a barely marked stop. The eyes are large, dark, and grave in expression. The Sloughi's gaze is not affectionate in the conventional sense; it is appraising. The ears are triangular, medium in size, and drop close to the head.

The coat is short, smooth, and lies flat against the body, with no undercoat. The standard admits sand in all its variants, from light cream to dark reddish fawn, with or without a black mask, with or without a black mantle, with or without black brindling. What the standard does not admit are whites, solid blacks, and washed-out colors.

Movement is the most striking trait. At a full run the Sloughi reaches 35 to 40 mph (55-65 km/h) using the double-suspension gallop, the same pattern a cheetah uses. Unlike the European sighthounds, it keeps endurance for long distances over uneven ground, a direct inheritance from coursing gazelle in the Sahara.

Temperament

The Sloughi does not trust on first contact. With strangers it can border on shy: it withdraws, refuses physical contact, watches from a distance. That behavior is a documented breed trait, written into the standard. Anyone arriving expecting a dog that greets every visitor warmly is going to be frustrated.

With the family the bond is of a different order. This Maghreb hound chooses its person, or its group of people, and builds a loyalty with them that has little to do with obedience. If you live with one, you will notice it in the way it follows you from room to room in silence, or settles near you when you go still, without making a scene.

The hunting instinct is pure and active. The Sloughi hunts by sight, not by scent, like the Greyhound or the Saluki. Anything moving at a distance, especially something small and fast, triggers the chase almost automatically. In practical terms that means living with cats not socialized from puppyhood is difficult, and a leash in unfenced spaces is not optional but mandatory.

At home, once the exercise session is over, the Sloughi is a quiet companion. It rests for long stretches, prefers comfortable surfaces (the couch included, if you allow it), does not bark excessively, and does not generate chaos. People who live with sighthounds often describe them as couch dogs that need a starting pistol. The Sloughi fits that profile.

Training takes patience and positive reinforcement without exception. Coercive methods produce a dog that shuts down and distrusts, and distrust in this breed is very hard to reverse. Formal obedience is not the strong suit of any sighthound; an orderly household, with clear and consistent rules from puppyhood, is achievable.

Health: what the breed carries

Barbiturate and anesthesia sensitivity (read this before any surgery)

This is the most critical point you need to know, and the first thing you have to tell your veterinarian before any procedure under general anesthesia.

The Sloughi, like all the short-haired sighthounds (Greyhound, Whippet, Saluki), metabolizes certain anesthetic drugs slowly. Sighthounds have reduced activity in cytochrome P450 enzymes that clear barbiturates such as thiopental, and they carry much less body fat for the drug to redistribute into. Without efficient clearance, the standard dose a vet would calculate for a 55 lb (25 kg) dog can be dangerous or lethal.

The fix is simple but depends on the vet knowing: use sighthound-safe protocols, which are well established. Any clinic experienced with Greyhounds knows them. The problem occurs when the veterinarian does not realize there is a sighthound on the table, or is not aware of the sensitivity. Always carry the note in writing and share this fact before you leave the dog at the clinic.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

A hereditary degeneration of the retina's photoreceptors. It shows first as trouble seeing in low light and can progress to partial or total blindness. There is no cure. Early detection lets you plan adaptations to the dog's environment. Responsible breeders run ophthalmic exams on breeding stock before each litter, and the OFA Eye Certification Registry (formerly CERF) tracks results in the US.

Hypothyroidism

Insufficient thyroid hormone production. Common signs: weight gain with no change in diet, lethargy, hair loss, cold intolerance. Treatable with daily oral levothyroxine once a blood panel confirms the diagnosis. Prevalence in the breed is not precisely quantified, but it appears often enough to justify a thyroid panel in the annual bloodwork from about age five.

General hardiness

Beyond the points above, the Sloughi is a remarkably healthy breed. Centuries of functional selection under harsh conditions, without the genetic bottlenecks of mass show breeds, have produced a robust animal. Serious joint problems (hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia) are uncommon compared with breeds of similar size. Hereditary heart disease is not documented at meaningful prevalence.

The most common emergencies are traumatic: cut paw pads from rough ground, muscle strains from running on hard surfaces, impact injuries at speed. The thin skin and scarce subcutaneous fat make surface wounds bleed more than expected, without that meaning the injury is serious.

Grooming

Maintenance is minimal. The short coat with no undercoat does not mat, does not trap moisture, and barely carries dirt indoors. A weekly going-over with a rubber grooming mitt or a short-bristle brush is enough to lift the dead hair during seasonal shedding.

A bath every four to six weeks with a mild shampoo formulated for sensitive skin is plenty under normal conditions. The Sloughi's skin is thin; irritating products or overly frequent baths dry it out and cause flaking.

Check the ears weekly (drop ears trap moisture). Trim nails monthly: sighthounds that run on pavement wear their nails down naturally, but dogs exercised mostly on dirt need regular trimming. Brush the teeth three times a week with an enzymatic canine paste; professional dental cleaning yearly from about age five or six.

One breed-specific point: the Sloughi tolerates cold poorly. The lack of undercoat and the lean muscle mass mean it needs a coat to go out below about 50 °F (10 °C). In cold-winter regions of the US, the Upper Midwest, the Northeast, the Mountain West, a fleece or insulated sighthound coat is a necessary expense, not a frill.

What a Sloughi costs in the US

Buying

The Sloughi is a rare breed in the US. The number of active breeders affiliated with the American Sloughi Association can be counted on a few hands. A puppy with full AKC papers in 2026 runs roughly $1,200 to $2,500, and some imported show lines from European breeding programs (France, the Netherlands, Germany) can ask more.

Imports from Morocco and from European programs have fed much of the US breed community. Some imported dogs lack complete FCI or AKC documentation; that does not make them any less valid as companions, but it closes off AKC registration and participation in conformation and federated activities.

Sloughis do appear in sighthound rescue, mainly dogs that came out of Morocco through coursing-dog rescues or owners who could not keep them. Adoption is viable and worth considering if you are ready for an adult with an unknown history. Greyhound and sighthound rescue networks are the place to start.

Annual costs

Item	Annual cost
Premium food	$400-700
Routine veterinary care (vaccines, parasite prevention, annual bloodwork)	$350-600
Pet insurance	$300-600
Accessories, toys, bed, winter coat	$120-250
Unexpected veterinary care	$200-500
Total	$1,370-2,650

That figure excludes surgeries and acquired conditions. The Sloughi is a moderate-cost breed to maintain for its size.

Full breed profile

Block	Item	Value
Identification	Canonical name	Sloughi
	Other names	Arabian Greyhound, North African sighthound
	Geographic origin	Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya
	FCI recognition	Standard No. 188, Group 10, Section 3
	AKC recognition	2016 (Hound Group)
	Oldest historical record	Volubilis mosaics, Morocco, 2nd-3rd centuries AD
Physical	Weight (males)	53-65 lb (24-30 kg)
	Weight (females)	45-57 lb (20-26 kg)
	Height (males)	26-29 in (66-72 cm)
	Height (females)	24-27 in (61-68 cm)
	Coat type	Short, smooth, no undercoat
	Accepted colors	Sand (cream to dark reddish fawn), with or without black mask, with or without black mantle, fine brindle
	Non-accepted colors	White, solid black, blue or liver bicolor
Health	Lifespan	12-16 years
	Primary concern	Barbiturate and anesthesia sensitivity
	Progressive retinal atrophy	Hereditary; ophthalmic test recommended in breeding stock
	Hypothyroidism	Moderately common; bloodwork from age 5
	Joint dysplasia	Uncommon for its size
	Recommended tests	OFA Eye Certification, thyroid panel in adults
Temperament	Energy	Moderate-high
	Trainability	Moderate (independent sighthound)
	Barking	Low
	Reactivity toward strangers	High (tends toward shyness)
	With children	Good with kids over 8 and supervision
	With other dogs	Good with sighthounds; variable with other breeds
	With cats	Possible if raised together from puppyhood; risk with unknown cats
Lifestyle	Daily exercise	60-90 minutes; needs free running in a fenced space
	Apartment suitable	Conditional (with enough exercise and nearby fenced space)
	Heat tolerance	High (desert origin)
	Cold tolerance	Low (needs a coat below 50 °F / 10 °C)
	Grooming frequency	Weekly brushing; monthly bath
	Professional grooming	Not needed
US market	Puppy price 2026	$1,200-2,500 (AKC breeders); higher for European show lines
	Rescue availability	Possible; active sighthound rescue network
	Active AKC breeders	Very few
	Estimated annual cost	$1,370-2,650

Is the Sloughi for you?

If you want a dog that greets everyone, that is easy to train, or that lives without friction alongside cats and small animals, look elsewhere. The Sloughi will meet none of those expectations, mainly because its character is built another way.

If you can offer a fenced space to run, you want to live with a dog of intense bond and reserved character, and you understand that the hunting instinct is not negotiable, the Sloughi can be the most loyal companion you have ever had. One thing above all: before any surgery, remind your veterinarian about the anesthesia sensitivity. That detail can save its life.

FAQ

Is the Sloughi restricted by breed-specific legislation in the US? No. Breed-specific legislation in the US targets a small set of breeds, mostly Pit Bull type dogs, Rottweilers, and a few others, and varies city to city and state to state. The Sloughi does not appear on those lists. Always check your local municipal code and, if you rent, your landlord's or HOA's pet policy, since restrictions are local rather than federal.

What diet suits the Sloughi? It does well on quality kibble and on properly formulated raw or cooked diets. What matters is the protein level: aim for high-quality animal protein to sustain the lean muscle mass, and choose a food labeled complete and balanced to AAFCO standards. Split rations into two daily meals to reduce the risk of gastric distension, and avoid intense exercise in the 30 to 45 minutes after eating.

How does the Sloughi differ from the Saluki? They are two sighthounds with overlapping geographic origins but distinct builds. The Saluki allows feathered varieties with fringe on the ears, tail, and legs; the Sloughi is always short and smooth-coated. The Saluki has a somewhat longer face and more almond-shaped eyes. In character both are reserved with strangers and intensely bonded to family, though the Saluki is slightly more sociable. In the US the Saluki has a somewhat larger breeder community.

Can it live in an apartment? Yes, with conditions. The Sloughi is quiet indoors and does not bark much, which makes shared housing workable. The problem is not the size of the apartment but the exercise: it needs a fenced space to run regularly. If you live in a city and have access to a fenced dog park or nearby land where you can let it off leash, an apartment works. Without that access, the dog will build up tension that turns into anxiety.

Why do I have to warn the vet about anesthesia? Because standard general-anesthesia protocols include barbiturates (thiopental and similar) that short-haired sighthounds clear slowly, partly through reduced cytochrome P450 activity and partly because they carry so little body fat for the drug to redistribute into. A dose calculated for a standard 55 lb (25 kg) dog can be an overdose for a Sloughi of that same weight. The risk is real and documented. Barbiturate-free protocols (propofol, isoflurane, sevoflurane) are safe and well established. All it takes is the vet knowing before proceeding.

At what age can it start running hard? Until about 18 months, intense running sessions should stay moderate. The growth plates do not fully close before that age, and repeated impact on hard surfaces can damage them. Free walking on soft ground is the best option through the first year and a half.

How does it do with other dogs in the house? Well, in general, especially with other sighthounds. Living with dominant or strongly territorial breeds can create tension. Introductions should be gradual and on neutral ground. Intact males paired with another intact male of a territorial breed need extra care in the introduction.