Plate 191 · Middle East & Africa
Sloughi
北非猎犬
“The Berber greyhound of the Maghreb.”
- Origin
- Morocco
- North Africa (Maghreb)
- Country of origin
- Found across North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya); the FCI lists Morocco, whose reference point is the marker.
- The point is a reference position in the country of origin.
- Era
- Long established in North Africa
- Today
- Sighthound · Companion
Under editorial review — sources listed below.
History
01 · Origin
North Africa (Maghreb)
A smooth-coated North African sighthound, probably related to but distinct from the Saluki.
02 · Historical role
What it was bred for
Coursing game across the desert; also a family guard.
03 · Breed development
How it changed
Slender, drop-eared hounds appear in Neolithic Algerian rock art and Egyptian tombs, though the link to the breed is not proven. It is reported to be still used for hunting in North Africa. Dogs in Europe and the US come from imports from Tunisia, Libya, Morocco and Algeria.
04 · Today
Sighthound · Companion
A companion and lure-coursing dog; reportedly still used for hunting in North Africa.
Personality
- Reserved
- Graceful
- Noble
- Sensitive
General breed tendencies, not guarantees — individual dogs vary with genetics, training and environment. Ratings: the AKC’s trait scores as its breed page gives them (the AKC’s 1–5 guidance for owners, not a measurement). Other profiles here use editorial ratings, a different source, so compare across them with care.
- Exercise
- Quiet indoors; needs chances to run flat out in a safe enclosed area.
- Grooming
- Minimal: a weekly brush.
- Training
- Sensitive and aloof: gentle methods only.
Living with one
- Size
- Large
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years
- Coat
- Short, fine coat in sand to red, with or without a black mask, brindle or mantle
Field note
'Sloughi' is another pronunciation of the Arabic word that gives the Saluki its name.
Recognition & today
- AKC
- Hound Group
- Also recognized by
- FCI (Group 10, standard 188)
- Popular in
- No reliable data
AKC: Hound Group, recognized 2016.
Rare in the United States. AKC registrations: ranked 201 among breeds in 2025.
Sources3 references
- Sloughi — breed information — American Kennel Club
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/sloughi/
Registry · accessed 2026-10-14 · Registry status, group, size, life expectancy and registration rank; history as the AKC tells it. Ratings: the AKC's own 1–5 owner-guidance trait scores as the page gives them (energy level, trainability, barking level, openness to strangers, good with other dogs), not measurements.
- Sloughi — Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloughi
Encyclopedia · accessed 2026-10-14 · North African range, the name and the Saluki, rock art and tomb paintings, continued hunting use.
- Sloughi — FCI breed nomenclature — Fédération Cynologique Internationale
https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/SLOUGHI-188.html
Kennel club · accessed 2026-10-14 · Country of origin Morocco; Group 10, section "Short-haired Sighthounds".
Text is written by World Breeds from the references above; it does not reproduce registry descriptions. Location note: Found across North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya); the FCI lists Morocco, whose reference point is the marker.
