Originally from North Africa and probably a descendant of the ancient “Egyptian hound”, it is said that the Sloughi took its name from the town of Sloughia en Túnez. Sus orígenes exactos no están claros, but it is known that it was used for centuries by the Berber people and the Bedouin tribes to hunt gazelles, jackals, foxes and hares. In fact, thanks to its speed and resistance, podía perseguir a la caza en grandes extensiones de desierto, which explains why it was the favorite dog of nomads. His sense of observation and his highly developed instinct also made him - and make him- an excellent herding dog. Last, it was also a domestic animal for them, ya que se le permitía dormir con ellos en la tienda por la noche. Incluso lo cubrieron con una manta para protegerlo del frío.

The first Sloughis arrived in Europe in the mid-nineteenth century, after the conquest of Algeria by France. The breed was recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1934. World War II halted its development, ya que muchos criadores tuvieron que aplicar la eutanasia a sus animales por falta de alimentos o exportarlos a países que se salvaron del conflicto. The Sloughi it then became extremely rare until the end of the Algerian war (1954-1962), cuando los soldados franceses trajeron a su país algunos ejemplares de la raza, which relaunched its expansion into European territory.

Tagiurie el Sian it was the first Sloughi that arrived in the United States in 1973. Originario de Túnez, crossed the Atlantic with his owners Kaethe y Carl Rodarty. Unfortunately, due to his age and lack of females, could not have offspring. In fact, la raza no se estableció realmente en el país hasta 1979, When Carole Cioce imported two Sloughis from Germany to California.

La mayoría de los representantes de la raza en América del Norte descienden hoy en día de individuos importados de países europeos (France, Netherlands, Germany, etc.), aunque algunos proceden directamente del norte de África, especially from Algeria, Libia y Túnez.

The breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1995, y el otro organismo de referencia del país, the American Kennel Club (AKC), did the same in 2016. El Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), on the other hand, has not yet taken the step.
La popularidad del CKC en el país vecino no es ciertamente una razón para que lo haga. The Sloughi It is one of the rarest dog breeds in the United States, quedando en último lugar en 2018 en el ranking establecido por el AKC en función del número de nacimientos anuales registrados en la organización.

In fact, the Sloughi It is now one of the rarest breeds of sighthounds in the world. In France, occur between 30 and 50 registrations per year in the Livre des Origines Français (LOF). The figure has been relatively stable since the middle of the years 80, while at the beginning of that decade it was rather twice. Compared, every year they are born around 1.400 hounds Whippet. In Great Britain, race is even confidential, ya que algunos años no se registra ningún nacimiento en el prestigioso Kennel Club, el organismo canino de referencia del país.

The Sloughi también está en peligro de extinción en los países del Magreb. Su número no deja de disminuir, mainly due to the scarcity and protection of certain species it hunts and the sedentarization of the Bedouin tribes, who need your help less and less to protect their herds.

In the news, Marruecos cuenta con el mayor número de Sloughis of the world. Es difícil saber el número exacto, but specialists estimate that the population is about 600 individuals.

Photo: by Benutzer:Claggi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Sloughi it is one of the largest dog breeds. Like the other races of Sighthounds, looks slim and athletic. This is due to their thin and tight skin, to his short coat, fine and closed, to his lean musculature and his very pronounced bone structure. Its general appearance is that of a noble dog, very elegant and stylish, but specially built for speed.

His chest is wide, encased by flat ribs, long and slightly curved on the back third of the chest. The belly is tight and the back is short, almost horizontal between the withers and the hips. Straight legs, Bony and muscular are an important part of the dog's formidable speed.

Profile, the head is long and thin. Seen from above, the skull is wide. Tapers to the end formed by the nose, reminiscent of the shape of a valley. The nose is black and slightly descending, and the nostrils are wide open.

The eyes are large and dark, with a soft and melancholy look. The edge of the eyelids is pigmented. Las orejas son caídas, triangular in shape and slightly rounded at the tips. La mandíbula es fuerte y regular.

Los colores del pelaje varían de arena clara a rojiza, with or without black mask or cape. The most common are the black sand mask and the brindle sand.

Last, sexual dimorphism is not very pronounced, since the males are usually not more than 10 cm taller than females, which is modest compared to the size of the animal.

▷ Male size: 66 a 72 cm.
▷ female size: 64 a 69 cm.
▷ Male weight: 20-25 kg
▷ female weight: 19-22 kg

Although it is not very demonstrative, the Sloughi he is devoted and loyal, and tends to be a single owner dog. When they join their owner, is for all the life, por lo que es muy difícil que se unan a otra familia si su dueño es abandonado o muere.

They get along well with children, but it is better if they are of a certain age and have learned to interact with an animal. In fact, given its size, podría empujar involuntariamente a uno más pequeño, or forcefully push away an older one who disrespects you. In any case, whatever the race and the degree of proximity, a small child should never be left alone with a dog.

Their sociability with humans is often limited to family members. With strangers, they are much more reserved, and will bravely defend their own if they feel threatened in any way.

In more general terms, can easily become anxious when faced with new situations. Thus, it is essential to socialize him as soon as possible to prevent him from becoming a fearful and / or unnecessarily aggressive dog.

You can also live with animals of other species (cats, rodents, etc.), as long as they grew up together and you consider them part of your family. On the other hand, as his hunting instinct is highly developed, the subsequent introduction of another animal into the home where you live can be problematic.

As for living under the same roof as a partner, this coexistence does not usually pose problems if you have grown up with him. Otherwise, it all depends on the size of the newcomer. Yes it's small, is likely to be regarded as prey. From his past as a hunter and rancher, preserves the need for space and exercise. Therefore, necesita al menos una hora de ejercicio físico al día para deshacerse de su exceso de energía y estar equilibrado. Therefore, they are ideal candidates for dog sports, starting, of course, for the tests intended for sighthounds (racing in cinodromes, decoy chase…). It is also an ideal breed of dog for an athlete, who likes to accompany on their outings; canicross and cani-VTT are activities perfectly adapted to it, and certainly more recommendable than sighthound races. On the other hand, having a strong hunting instinct, he can chase any small animals he meets at any time, especially cats. Therefore, it is essential that you obey the call, and in any case it is better to carry him on a leash during walks, to avoid any risk of leakage. In fact, once a Sloughi olido has a hold, no longer really responsive to his master's instructions, so it is extremely difficult to make him return.

This is all the more true since, even with a lot of training, is often far from being the most obedient dog in the world. What's more, cannot be trusted to keep a low profile if reprimanded: given his strong character, sería todo lo contrario. Therefore, it is up to the owner to be firm from an early age, so as not to be dominated by his imposing companion.

The great need for exercise of the Arabian Greyhound and its size make, although I rarely bark (even in the presence of strangers), not really adapted to living in a flat. However, can live in an apartment, siempre que se le saque varias veces al día y pueda satisfacer su necesidad de ejercicio. A house is still preferable. However, es importante asegurarse de que el jardín esté bien vallado, since the Sloughi is naturally elusive. El uso de una valla eléctrica subterránea no sería una solución viable con un perro así, ya que la molestia de los impulsos eléctricos sería menos fuerte que su determinación de huir y seguir quién sabe qué rastro. On the other hand, although I tolerate loneliness relatively well, it is not convenient that I live outside. In fact, su corto y fino pelaje le hace muy sensible al frío, and he needs to bond with his humans anyway, to whom he is more attached than sometimes is thought.

The Sloughi es un perro tímido y se asusta fácilmente con lo que no conoce. Therefore, their socialization should take place from a very young age, when it is most malleable, para que se enfrente al máximo número de personas y situaciones y aprenda a adoptar los comportamientos adecuados en todas las circunstancias, to become a perfectly balanced adult.

You should also put him in contact with other animals, especially with cats, rodents and other small animals, to try to prevent him from seeing them as prey when he later crosses paths with them.

With his great intelligence and keen sense of observation, learns quickly… if you want. In fact, obedience is not his strong point: It is not a dog that strives to satisfy or even anticipate the requests of its master. Therefore, you need to be firm in your education, but also show patience, to respect his character. Intentar entrar a la fuerza sólo podría ser perjudicial para el futuro, since it is a proud and sensitive animal, who does not appreciate reprimands. His temperament makes him an ideal client for the positive reinforcement dog training method, and sweets are usually the key to success.

Last, teaching your dog to remember is especially important to be able to enjoy walks outdoors with peace of mind, since the Sloughi retains a strong predatory instinct and, therefore, can launch itself at any time in pursuit of an animal that it considers prey. Esto es aún más cierto porque, given its maximum speed, es muy difícil alcanzarlo.

The Sloughi it is a healthy breed of dog. Has a low risk of inherited diseases and a longer life expectancy than other dogs of the same size.

However, are prone to injury while running and are more prone to certain ailments.

This is the case, in particular, of the progressive retinal atrophy of APR-RCD type (rod and cone dysplasia), an inherited disease that causes a malformation of the retina: the puppy's eyesight deteriorates from 6 months old and, usually, goes completely blind before the year. There is a blood test that can determine whether or not an individual is a carrier of the gene responsible for this disease. Therefore, before adopting a representative of this breed, it is recommended to do the test, to avoid any risk at this level. Of course, knowing that it is a hereditary disease, un buen criador no cría a un individuo portador del gen.

Like all large dog breeds, it is also more prone to síndrome de dilatación-torsión del estómago. This condition is an absolute emergency, as it is likely to die if not treated by a vet very quickly.

What's more, como la mayoría de las razas de “Sighthounds”, the Sloughi is especially sensitive to anesthesia and medications. Thus, it is advisable to turn to a veterinarian who knows the specificities of these dogs in this regard.

Otra particularidad de este perro es su altísima tolerancia al dolor, por lo que a veces es difícil detectar que está sufriendo. Therefore, be especially attentive to any change in behavior that may betray a health problem.

Last, debido a sus orígenes y a su pelaje, the Sloughi no es una raza de clima frío. Thus, when temperatures are low, it is important to avoid spending too much time outside and to cover it with a suitable coat for dogs.

12 years

The Sloughi is the archetype of easy-care dog.

Brushing his short coat once or twice a week with a soft brush or brushing glove is perfectly sufficient to remove dead hairs and keep his coat clean.. Su muda es aún más limitada ya que, unlike many other breeds, does not suffer seasonal molts.

What's more, the coat is self-cleaning, so it does not give off bad odors and it is not necessary to wash it regularly. Under normal circumstances, two or three times a year is more than enough, but, of course, you should not hesitate to bathe your dog if he has become very dirty and / or if harmful substances have spread through his coat.

As in any race, oral hygiene is very important and should not be neglected. The toothbrush is the most effective accessory to prevent the accumulation of tartar, fortalecer las encías y evitar el mal aliento.

What's more, aunque su perro no corre especial riesgo de sufrir infecciones de oído, despite the dangling shape of his ears, es necesario inspeccionar y limpiar sus oídos al menos una vez a la semana. This weekly session is also an opportunity to review - and if necessary clean- the eyes.

Last, natural wear and tear is usually enough to trim your claws. However, when you get older and / or less active, they can be too long, and then they can annoy or even hurt you. In this case, it is advisable to trim them with a special file or with a claw trimmer.

As in the case of any dog, the sooner you get used to the different manipulations that your care entails, the less likely you are to have problems later.

The diet of the Sloughi should consist primarily of lean meat, rice and vegetables. It is preferable to choose a quality food, either in the form of industrial croquettes, pate or homemade food. La cantidad que se debe dar varía según el tamaño, la edad y la actividad física del animal. By the way, don't be fooled by its slim look and slightly visible ribs: esto forma parte de sus características físicas y no es en absoluto un signo de que esté mal alimentado. No need to worry about it, sino que lo anormal sería lo contrario.

In general, the more effort and activity your dog makes, más alimento necesitará para compensar la pérdida de energía. It is advisable to divide it into at least two meals, one in the morning and one at night, to reduce the likelihood of digestive problems such as stomach bloating or distention.

Para evitar esto último, las comidas deben realizarse en un lugar tranquilo y a una hora de distancia de los paseos o de cualquier actividad física intensa.

Last, as in the case of all dogs, es esencial garantizar la disponibilidad de agua fresca durante todo el día.

Known as the “lord of the dogs” en la cultura marroquí, the Sloughi has long been appreciated for its hunting skills, agility, endurance and speed. It can reach a speed of up to 55 km / h along 300 m, to the point that there is an Arabic saying that says “when a Sloughi see a gazelle pluck a blade of grass, it will be at your height before you finish chewing it”.

En el norte de África, where is he from, It was mainly used as a guard dog to protect herds, así como para cazar liebres, foxes, jackals or gazelles.

However, in 1844, a French law prohibited hunting with Sighthounds and it was applied in the Maghreb territories that became part of France in the 19th century.

Since 2004, la caza con galgos vuelve a estar permitida en algunos países del Magreb, but under certain conditions. However, is still banned in Europe, except for Spain.

In United States, has sometimes been used to hunt coyotes.

In their homelands, the Sloughi It is still used by nomads as a guard dog for their herds, although this practice tends to disappear as tribes settle.

Su lealtad y su inquebrantable devoción a su amo también los convierten en muy buenos perros de compañía, as long as their families are able to meet their great need for exercise.

Last, his lean and athletic nature makes him a good competitor in racing and sight pursuit events, although it is not as fast as a “Greyhound”.

The price of a puppy Sloughi ranges between 900 and 1300 EUR. The price of a copy depends on its conformity with the standard, of the reputation of his lineage, of the prestige of the kennel and also of its sex: females are considerably more expensive than males.

It is also possible to import a Arabian Greyhound directamente del norte de África. The purchase price is more affordable (between 500 and 750 EUR), but you must respect the regulations regarding the importation of a dog from abroad, and transport costs and administrative fees are added to the purchase price.

Adopting a Sloughi It can also be done through specialized retired greyhound associations. Many owners decide to part with their Sloughi when they can no longer compete. Sometimes they are also abandoned by owners who are not sufficiently informed of their needs. (sobre todo en cuanto a la actividad física) and they are not able to take proper care of them. Thus, these associations try to offer a second life to the greyhounds they host, allowing them to find a new family.

Coexistence is important that you have with your new friend. Before considering the acquisition of a dog of the breed "Sloughi (Arabian Greyhound)" you know certain factors. Not all breeds of dogs are apt to live in an apartment, you must take into account his character, their need for exercise, their interaction with other pets, their care and if you have small children, their level of tolerance towards them.

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Photos:

1 – Sloughi male in the sunset by Denhulde, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
2 – Sloughi by Tom´s photo gallery
3 – Sloughi 2013 Helsinki by Thomas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
4 – Sloughi by Mubarak Fahad
5 – Sloughi by http://www.sloughi-balkan.com/characteristics-2/
6 – Sloughi by https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/sloughi/

Arabian greyhound (Sloughi) Breed of dog

Sloughi: The Moroccan Sighthound faster than the wind

Sloughi.

Race The Wind 3 – Sloughi Beach 1 • Arabian Greyhound Galgo Windhund Chasse

• FCI CLASSIFICATION:
• Group :
• Section : . .

Federations:

• FCI – Group 10: Section 3: Short-haired Sighthounds ⓘ
• Standard KC (The Kennel Club) – Hound ⓘ
• El American Kennel Club (AKC) – Hounds ⓘ

FCI - Sloughi (Arabian Greyhound)

1. Uskay (Oska), Arabian Greyhound, Sloughi Moghrebi (English).
2. Lévrier arabe, Lévrier berbère (French).
3. Arabischer, Nordafrikanischer, Berber Windhund (German).
4. Galgo árabe (Portuguese).
5. Lebrel bereber, Lebrel árabe (español).