History
The Sloughi is a Purebred dog, with a sleek and long body, and long beautiful legs. These dogs are ordinary in North African countries. Being an athletic hound, they have both grace and class. They are valued for their great endurance power and excellent hunting skills.
Interesting Facts
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Incredibly excellent in lure coursing, a sport in which the dog chases a robot.
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Sloughi, Saluki, and Azawakh may all look similar, but they are not as all of them come from the different geographical backgrounds.
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Sloughis were initially bred to hunt down desert animals, but in the USA, they are used to hunt Jackrabbits and Coyotes.
Temperament & Personality
They are an affectionate, kind and loving dog, which effortlessly mixes with everyone. Like any other Sighthound, the Sloughi also has a strong prey drive towards small animals especially cats, mouse, and rabbits. The owner should never leave the Sloughi unleashed, in the garden area, or else it will immediately fly away. At times it will remain aloof and less expressive, but never fearful and shy.
Care
Exercise
Being naturally athletic and full of energy, the Sloughis need a lot of physical and mental stimulation and is not suited for homes with a sedentary lifestyle. Though the Sloughis have a sleek body with long and light-weight legs; they are not adapted to run on the treadmills. They will enjoy playing with small children, but elders should supervise the playtime session. If deprived of proper activities, these dogs can show their negative sides by either barking or growling randomly.
Grooming
Being a short haired breed, these dogs need minimal grooming. The consistency of the coat naturally repels dirt and grime, so frequent bathing should be avoided. They don’t get that typical dogy smell and needs protection during winters and summers because they are a desert breed. The owner should clip the excess nails with canine nail clippers. The ears should be cleaned with a mild and clean cloth to avoid any kind of ear infection.
These dogs can generate some kind of genetic issues, just like their human counterparts. Before buying a Sloughi pup, the owner should make sure that the puppy is well vaccinated and is passed in all kind of health tests. Fortunately, these dogs are quite healthy and do not demand much of attention from their owners. This breed is sensitive to anesthesia, which should be discussed with the Vet doctors.
They can suffer from the Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Gastric torsion, Hypothyroidism, Heart Murmur, and Canine Hip Dysplasia. The severe consequence of vaccines and medications can also affect the dog.
Training
Some Sloughi dogs learn faster than the rest, especially parlor tricks like play dead and roll over can also affect the training process. Games, such as chasing down and bringing back a ball, will be more accessible for the dog to learn, because of its hunting instincts.
Feeding
A diet specially designed for a breed like this will be the best option.
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