Hound breed Large size 20-28 kg

Sloughi

A reserved North African sighthound that is calm indoors but built to sprint - devoted to its family and aloof with strangers.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
20-28 kg · 61-72 cm
High
Exercise needs
Sprint bursts plus daily walks
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Independent but attached to its people
Moderate
Training
Sensitive and needs gentle training
Low
Coat care
Short coat, very low grooming
Conditional
Fit with kids
Gentle with respectful children
Conditional
Other pets
Strong prey drive around small animals
Light
Health burden
Generally healthy; anesthesia sensitivity, PRA

The Sloughi typically weighs 20-28 kg, stands 61-72 cm, and lives 12-15 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want an elegant, healthy, low-grooming sighthound,
you can offer safe sprinting space and daily walks,
you appreciate a calm, dignified dog that is aloof with strangers,
you can use gentle, patient training for a sensitive breed.

Do not consider this breed if…

you cannot provide secure, fenced running space,
you keep small pets a strong prey drive might target,
you want an outgoing, stranger-friendly dog,
you rely on off-leash recall in open, unfenced areas.

A typical day with a Sloughi

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    A run or fast gallop in a safe area
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Rests calmly, often on a soft bed
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    A relaxed walk and some sniffing
  4. 16:30 · Afternoon
    Fenced play or a lure-chase game
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Walk, then quiet time with the family
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Sleeps soundly, likes warmth and comfort

Temperament and training

Prey drive High
Wariness of strangers High
Sensitivity High
Independence High
Loyalty Very high
Trainability Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Trusting off-leash recall in unfenced areas near prey · Using harsh corrections on a soft, sensitive sighthound · Pushing a naturally aloof dog too fast with strangers

Family and environment

Kids Conditional
Gentle with calm, respectful children it knows.
Dogs Conditional
Fine with familiar dogs; reserved with strangers.
Cats Cautious
Strong prey drive; risky except cats raised with it.
Apartment Conditional
Calm indoors but needs daily sprinting outside.
House with a yard Ideal
A securely fenced yard suits its running needs.
City Conditional
Manages with safe places to run and calm handling.
Countryside Ideal
Space to gallop, though recall around game is risky.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Generally Robust Breed Few widespread inherited disorders reported
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Inherited eye disease; a DNA test is available
Anesthesia Sensitivity Lean sighthound build; discuss dosing with your vet
Muscle and Sprain Injuries Active sprinter; strains and cuts from hard running

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Related North African sighthound, leaner
Azawakh
An elegant, aloof West African sighthound that bonds deeply but stays reserved, needing warmth, sprint room, and gentle handling.
View profile →
Ancient sighthound with similar temperament
Saluki
A graceful, sensitive sighthound that is calm at home but needs secure sprinting space - its intense prey drive rules out off-leash areas and small pets.
View profile →
Comparable elegant hunting sighthound
Spanish Galgo
A gentle, quiet sighthound that sprints hard then sleeps all day - one of the calmest large dogs indoors, with a strong chase instinct outside.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Sloughi cost in the US?
This is a rare breed in North America with very few breeders, so expect waitlists and sometimes imports, with puppy prices commonly in the $1,500-$3,000 range. Over a 12-15 year life, food and routine vet care typically add $10,000-$16,000 or more; the breed is generally healthy, which helps keep lifetime costs down.
Can a Sloughi be trusted off-leash?
Not in open, unfenced areas. As a hunting sighthound it has a powerful chase instinct and remarkable speed, and a moving animal can override recall instantly. Use securely fenced spaces or a long line, and only allow free galloping where it is genuinely safe.
Are Sloughis good family dogs?
Within their own family they are devoted, gentle, and calm indoors, but they are naturally aloof and reserved with strangers. They suit quieter homes with respectful older children and struggle with the strong prey drive around cats and small pets they were not raised with.
Do Sloughis need a lot of exercise?
They need regular chances to run at speed plus daily walks, because they were bred to hunt across open desert terrain. Once exercised they are notably calm and undemanding at home, but without that outlet they become restless.