Sloughi — breed guide
The Arabian sighthound of North Africa — quieter and more reserved than a Saluki, and traditionally never bred for a stranger's hand.
At a glance
- Group
- hound
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 18–28 kg (40–62 lb)
- Life span
- 12–16 years
- Coat
- Short, fine, smooth coat
Living with a Sloughi
- High energy — needs real exercise every day, not a stroll.
- Almost no grooming.
- Barely sheds.
- Can be stubborn.
- Very quiet.
- Can do well with children, with care — easier with older kids than toddlers.
- Usually fine with a familiar dog; strange dogs need managing.
- Not a safe bet with cats — this is prey drive rather than a training problem.
- Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
- Better with previous experience behind you.
- Built for heat.
- Needs a coat in the cold.
Temperament
Noble · Melancholy · Gentle · Aloof
Health to watch
- Anaesthesia sensitivity
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Bloat (GDV)
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Sloughi good with kids?
With care. Sloughis generally do well with older children who already know how to behave around a dog; with toddlers, supervise every interaction and give the animal somewhere it can retreat to.
Is a Sloughi good with cats?
Usually not. This is prey drive rather than a training problem — a cat that runs can trigger it in a dog that is otherwise impeccably behaved.
How much exercise does a Sloughi need?
An hour or more of proper exercise every day.
Can a Sloughi handle hot weather?
It is built for it.
Leash Life keeps a Sloughi's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.