Sloughi |
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The Sloughi is a sight hound that comes originally from the desert region of northwestern Africa, from the Maghreb, where it is still used by nomadic tribes to for hunting and as a watchdog. It is particularly associated with the Berber nomads. The Sloughi is also known as the "Arabian Sighthound." This breed is quite rare in Europe and North America, although clubs specific to the breed have been formed and it is slowly gaining a following. It is fully recognized by the United Kennel Club, and the Federation Cynologique Internationale (1981). The American Kennel Club added it to the Foundation Stock Service in 1997. Used in its native lands as a hunting dog to take both hare and gazelle, the Sloughi is similar in structure to other large sight hounds. It is tall and lean, with long legs it is built for speed it is believed to easily reach 40 mph. It averages 24 to 29 inches tall, but weighs only 35-55 pounds. Unlike many other sight hounds, its ears are long and pendulous. The coat of the Sloughi is short and sleek; the belly often has only a sparse coat. Many colors are acceptable, reflecting the variety of coloration in its native region: blue, black, fawn, sand, red and brindle as well as various combinations of these, with or without a dark mask. The most common is the fawn with black mask. Currently, the AKC accepts any color that is found in Africa. Sloughi s have white markings, most commonly on the throat and chest, as "stockings" on the legs, and at the tip of the tail. In full flight, the Sloughi possesses grace and elegance, and looks much like other large sight hounds in terms of form. But its hunting style is different: the Sloughi works in a pack, often bumping the large game to bring it down. Due to their pack orientation, these dogs are more vocal than say, a greyhound, and will bark to alert their pack of perceived danger. Because of this trait, they make a fairly good watchdog. While it is similar in appearance to other large sighthounds, the Sloughi shares little of their ancestry. It is thought to have come from the Orient or from what is now Ethiopia, and then developed in the sub-Saharan Sahel region where desert nomads still lead a rugged existence. Through the centuries, the geography and austerity of the Saharan region isolated dog breeds within the area. Recent DNA research has shown that the Sloughi shares more in common with the traditional pariah dogs (also called "bush dogs" or "senji") of the sub-Saharan region than with other sight hounds an ancestry it shares only with the Azawakh. Research suggests a prehistorical link with canids such as wolves, jackals, and wild African canids that is not shared by other domesticated dog breeds; historians believe that this means the Azawakh and Sloughi developed separately from other dogs very early in time. Petroglyphs in the region are evidence that the Sloughi's ancestors were accompanying man on the hunt from 10,000 B.C. Fragments of earthenware dated to 3,000 BC depict a sight hound that is very much like the modern Sloughi. Due to the environment in which it developed, the Sloughi is a strong, sturdy, hardy breed that shows few physical problems. Even the hip dysplasia common to so many large breeds is almost never found. Although it hunts across some of the world's roughest terrain and severe climate, it rarely exhibits an injury. This breed will run down game in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit with no difficulty. The desert nomads cull new litters of puppies, saving only the best; this has traditionally created a gene-pool of exclusively prime quality contributors, and resulted in a dog breed of exceptionally strong constitution. Some Sloughis are prone to progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and some exhibit hemophilia, a blood disorder. The average lifespan of the Sloughi is 10 to15 years. This breed needs plenty of exercise. A good long walk daily is necessary, as is a fenced yard. It is an excellent companion for the runner or jogger. This breed should be leashed at all times when not otherwise confined; as with all sight hounds, their keen eyesight and prey drive makes them prone to bolt as soon as they see prey, oblivious to commands to stop. The Sloughi's coat needs little grooming, just an occasional brush-up with a hound glove or curry comb. This breed has little to no doggie odor, and so baths are only needed when necessary. If being kept in a cold climate, this dog will need to wear a coat in the winter, because it has a thin coat, thin skin, and very little body fat with which to insulate itself. The Sloughi's ancestry has contributed greatly to give it a personality that is unique in the sight hound world. While possessing the aloofness and self-awareness common to many breeds of the type, it is far more pack-oriented and pre-disposed to guarding behavior. It can be highly suspicious of strangers, and even aggressive if provoked. This breed is vocal and will display various vocalizations depending upon the situation. Human bonding and contact is important to the Sloughi, which needs to be part of a pack. It may do best in a household where there is another dog present. However, the Sloughi generally demonstrates dominance behavior with other dogs. It would be best to pair it with a member of the opposite sex in order to thwart this tendency. With training from an early age, it can with other pets such as small dogs and cats, but will always possess a strong prey drive with animals outside its own pack. The Sloughi can live successfully with small children. However, its guarding instincts may lead it to intervene to stop rough play it doesn't understand, and defend someone. Additionally, it will tend to give chase when children run and may act upon its instinct to knock prey off its feet. For these reasons, children should be supervised and not left alone with an Sloughi. As do many sight hounds, he Sloughi excels at lure coursing competitions. In recent years it has also gained attention for its talent in Canine Freestyle a type of obedience training set to music. The combination of obedience training and its natural grace and agility make this sport a perfect one for the active Sloughi.
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