GROUP 4 - HOUNDS

Brief History
The Sloughi, pronounced (SLOO-ghee), is one of the oldest known dog breeds. Dogs of this type are depicted on Egyptian wall reliefs more than three thousand years old. The Sloughi is traditionally a hunting dog of the nomadic tribes of North Africa, the Berbers and the Bedouins. Sloughis bred to hunt game in North Africa were accompanied by trained falcons, sat in the saddle in front of the riders and were taken on the hunt. The Sloughi’s countries of origin include Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.
The average life span is 12 to 16 years.

Temperament
Sloughis are highly intelligent, quiet and dignified. They are a primitive breed that can be aloof with strangers but bond closely with their person or family. They should never be aggressive.

General Breed Description
The Sloughi is a lean, leggy primitive hound without any excess flesh. They come in colours of the desert – sand, brindle and black combinations. The Sloughi resembles a cat in his movements. He hunts on sight, has an athletic body and pounces on the first prey that recklessly comes his way. The character of the Sloughi is complex. He loves his family and is loyal to them. He is considerate and affectionate towards people, never aggressive.
Sloughis are highly intelligent and sensitive. They do not tolerate harsh training methods. They can have their own ideas and goals and can be very inventive and persistent. To train a Sloughi you need consistent, positive training methods and in addition, the owner must accept that 1000 years of hunting dogs cannot be erased with just a few years of dog training. Sloughis are watchful, but not barkers. In the house, Sloughis are calm and spend most of the day on the sofa or armchair relaxing in the most comfortable spot. To compensate for their down time, they require daily exercise.
Sloughis are active dogs and need exercise in the form of walks, accompanying you jogging, playing with other dogs or free running on a safe field, or lure coursing.

Coat and Care Requirements
Grooming a Sloughi is minimal they have short, smooth, and fine coat requires very little in the way of maintenance. Weekly brushing with a soft bristle brush or a glove should keep the coat smooth and sleek, with an occasional bath as required.

Size
Height: Males 66 to 72cms (26 to 28.5ins), Females 61 to 68cms (24 to 26.5ins).

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. Sloughis are generally healthy dogs. However. some health conditions will occur occasionally. Recommendations are for breeders to test their stock for health conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).

Suitability
Single people or families. This is a gentle family orientated breed that is also very active. An active person or family willing to fulfil the exercise requirements and understand the nature of an ancient hunting breed will make the perfect home. Please Take Note: Sloughi are agile dogs that need adequate fencing in order to keep them safely enclosed.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.
Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.
Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/146