Sloughi

Also known as: Arabian Greyhound

The Sloughi belongs to the North African sighthound family, particularly Morocco, used for millennia by Berber tribes to course hare, jackal, and gazelle across desert terrain. The short, fine, close coat carries almost no subcutaneous fat, which makes the breed surprisingly sensitive to cold despite its hot-climate origins. A male weighs around 27 kilograms, with a lean build carrying no spare muscle, built for speed and distance chasing game. Unlike many European sighthounds, the Sloughi was traditionally kept inside the family tent as a household member rather than purely a hunting tool. The breed kept a reserved, sometimes aloof manner around strangers. Life expectancy runs 12 to 15 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Sloughi: how old in human years?

61–72 cmHeight
18–27 kgWeight
12–15 yrsLife expectancy

Magyar Agar

FCI group: Sighthounds
FCI section: Section 3: Short-haired Sighthounds
FCI: 188
Country of origin: Morocco

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

2/5
Family friendly

3/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 66–72 cm

Females 61–68 cm

Weight

Males 20–27 kg

Females 18–24 kg

Life expectancy

12–15 yrs

Coat

short, fine, close (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Sloughi's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is low.

Family friendly 3/5
Good with children 2/5
Good with other dogs 2/5
Friendly with strangers 1/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 2/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Sloughi's energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 4/5
Apartment friendly 2/5
Prey drive 5/5
Hunting instinct 4/5

Guarding & Alertness

Sloughi's guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 3/5
Barking level 1/5

Grooming & Care

Sloughi's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Sloughi

A Sloughi looks at you calmly, slightly from above, and shows his affection so discreetly that visitors may miss it entirely. This North African sighthound from Morocco spent centuries hunting across open plains by sight and speed. At home he is quiet, you will barely hear a bark, and elegantly lazy; outdoors he turns into a different dog.

He needs long walks every day and a chance to run flat out somewhere safely fenced. Remember that once he sees a running hare or cat he will no longer hear you: the chase instinct is very strong, so outside a fence the lead stays on. Training calls for gentleness and patience. A harsh tone only pushes him away, while short, calm sessions with a treat work best.

With his own people the Sloughi is devoted and sensitive, but he keeps his distance from strangers and likes his space respected. He suits a family with calmer, older children, and does not get along with every dog, so introduce him carefully. A flat is too small if it means too little movement, but well run, he will happily spend the whole evening folded onto the softest spot in the house.

Grooming and coat

The Sloughi's coat is short, fine and close-lying, so it needs very little from you. A soft rubber mitt or a damp cloth once a week keeps it gleaming and leaves hardly any hair on the sofa. Bath him only when he is genuinely dirty, with a mild shampoo, because the skin under such a thin coat is sensitive.

That same thin coat means cold is no friend of his: on a winter walk a warm coat helps, and indoors he wants a soft bed away from draughts. A lean body scrapes easily, so after a run outdoors check him for nicks. Trim his nails regularly, and look at his ears and teeth once a week.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (27 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 305 g of dry food a day, from €16,59 a month For a neutered, normally active 22,3 kg dog. Calculate for your dog