Sloughi

Sloughis live 12 to 16 years. Progressive retinal atrophy occurs in the breed, so request eye certification from breeders. Their lean body means anesthesia affects them differently than other breeds, so always tell your vet the breed before any procedure. Autoimmune conditions have also been reported. Overall this is a healthy, long lived sighthound when sourced carefully.

Your Sloughi has a short, smooth coat that needs only a weekly brush to stay clean. They have no body odor and stay naturally clean like cats. Bathe every four to six weeks. Their thin coat provides no insulation, so provide a coat or sweater in cold weather. Trim nails monthly and clean ears weekly.

Your Sloughi needs a real run every day in a fully secured area. They are extremely fast and their prey drive makes off leash reliability genuinely impossible near moving animals or objects. They stay calm and relaxed indoors when their daily sprint is satisfied. Never let them off leash outside of a high, secure fence.

Sloughis are sensitive, intelligent dogs that were bred to work independently. They respond well to gentle, positive reinforcement from a patient handler. Harsh corrections shut them down immediately. Socialize your puppy extensively from day one since they tend toward wariness with strangers. Keep training sessions short and always positive.

Sloughis look lean even at a healthy weight, so judge body condition by feel rather than appearance. Feed a protein rich diet twice daily in measured portions. Add omega 3 fatty acids to support coat and joint health. Keep fresh water available at all times, especially after exercise.

The Sloughi is an ancient North African sighthound, used by Berber people across Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya for thousands of years to course gazelle, hare, and jackal across desert terrain. Islamic nomadic tribes prized the Sloughi above almost all other animals and treated their dogs as members of the household rather than as typical working animals. European travelers first documented the breed in the 19th century. The AKC recognized the Sloughi in 2016.