Rare Breed Network: Sloughi Standard

The American Sloughi Association, Inc. (ASLA)*

History and Accomplishments of the ASLA
FCI Standard 188 (Updated January 1998)
1998 Remarks on the Standard

The ASLA is the National Parent Club.

The purpose of the ASLA is to unite, help and sponsor those interested in the breeding, showing, coursing and preservation of the genetic purity. ASLA was founded in 1989. The FCI standard #188d, translated into English by an ASLA member and an FCI adviser, has been officially published by the FCI in Europe. This standard is kept in Rabat, Morocco, the Country of Origin.

ASLA maintains the Official Registry, provides quarterly Newsletters and offers worldwide membership.

The ASLA is working very closely with breed clubs throughout Europe, with the Arabian Countries, and directly with the Presidents of the "Societe Centrale Canine Marocaine" and the "Club Marocain du Sloughi".

The ASLA has made available the first, complete Breed book:
"The Sloughi - The Arabian Sighthound".
This book, published in the USA, is the first of its kind in the world, devoted entirely to the Sloughi. It was compiled and edited by one of the ASLA members.

This book contains facts about the history of the Breed, letters, articles and entertaining stories from breeders and owners worldwide. Individual chapters explain racing, lure coursing, open field, interaction of the Sloughi with other animals, hunting in the countries or origin, and the history of the Sloughi in the USA, as well as explaining details of linebreeding, inbreeding and outcrossing. There are also excerpts from a German book written by I. & E. Schritt pertaining to all Sighthounds (translated and reprinted with their kind permission), the complete FCI standard with its remarks for the judges and addresses of clubs and organizations in the USA, Puerto Rico and Mexico where you can register, show and run your Sloughis. This special book contains many pictures and many copies have already been sold worldwide.

As is the case in many breeds, the Sloughi now has two clubs promoting him in the U.S.

The most important thing for a breed club "is to take its duty very seriously but also to realize that we are only the guardians of a legacy which dates back thousands of years and is truly special". Among its numerous goals, ASLA continues to strive for integrity within its membership. "By selecting a Sloughi, you have become part of his heritage" (from The Sloughi - The Arabian Sighthound).

In the following list, ASLA is proud to cite some of the great achievements accomplished by its members.
We apologize for any omissions in this overview of titles, accomplishments, etc.

Between 1979 and 1998

Importation of 5 "foundation" Sloughis in 1979:
From France, Phitoussi Kahloul dl Treille, Pamiya Kahloul dl Treille, Pharaonne Kahloul dl Treille, Paris Ould Arb, and from Tunisia: Jilsa.

Breeder of the first litter bred, born and registered in USA and Puerto Rico (FCI) 1981.

Breeder of the first American-bred Sloughi, shown in USA and ARBA Junior Champion in 1994 (and later finished Champion). This was the first year when a Sloughi could obtain an official title.

Other importations to preserve a high degree of genetic variability: From France, Djebel Kahloul dl Treille and Djem Kahloul dl Treille (1988).
From Algeria, Richa (1990).
From Germany, Damir el Tahiri (1991).
From Germany, Jalandad Schuru esch Schams (1995).
From France, Mourad el Seid de la Cite due Guerrier (1996).

Puppies bred by ASLA members, were exported to Austria, Canada, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia.

First Sloughi Breed Book compiled and edited in USA. (1996)

ASLA President officially invited to Morocco, as the representative of the Sloughi in the USA.

Creation of a Sloughi Website including origins, characteristics, temperament, articles, excerpts from the Breed book 25 photos (gallery of photos), and much more.

US and European ASLA members are the breeders and/or owners of:

The Sloughi who is the "star" of the film produced by Laurent Mallet.

The first Sloughi to participate in an open field event (1991 -CA).

The Sloughis who obtained:

ARBA Championships,
several Best of Breed and Groups 1 and 2

SKC National and International Championships,
several Best of Breed, Groups 2

IABKCA International and National Championships

numerous CACUS, multi BOB, BOG, BIS Champions in lure-coursing and racing, including Best bitch of the year in conformation and racing (for three years- France)

Champions of France

Champions of Belgium

Champion of Spain

Champion of Europe (Lisbonne)

Champion of Europe (Luxembourg)

Winner in 1995 of the "Master"

1995 World Champion dog (Bruxelles)

1995 World Champion bitch (Bruxelles)

Champion of Morocco (International show in 1997)

American-bred overseas winners (Italy) of several Best of Breed

"Youth Best in Show" under 18 judges

Best Couple (with a dog owned by the same person, at an International show with 25 couples competing for the title).

American-bred: Champion of Italy,

4 x CAC in National Championship shows,

6 x CACIB in International Championship shows - BIS junior,

4 x BOB (including 2 x BOB in Sighthound Specialties),

Winner of the title of "Best Breeding Group" for all breeds, at the International & Sighthound Specialty in Florence, May 1998 (shown with her mate & 3 of her pups).

Dam of the: 1998 FCI Junior Champion of Europe (dog)
1998 FCI Junior Champion of Europe (bitch).

Importer and owner of the males setting all records for the Breed in USA, as sires and grandsires of the 94, 95, 96, 97 American-bred Top-winners in USA.

Importer and owner of the dog having sired in USA, in 1993, 2 of the 3 Sloughis shown at the World and International shows in Puerto Rico (1997) and being the grandsire of the third one.

Breeder of the bitch, who is the mother of the third American-bred Sloughi shown at the World and International shows in Puerto Rico (1997).*
*Unfortunately with Puerto Rico being so far from Europe, no breeders from overseas were able to show their Sloughis in that show. Only 3 Sloughis, from the same breeder in USA competed against each other. This low number shows proof that the Sloughi is still a very Rare Breed in USA. There are very few people able to travel to show their dogs. Most of the time in the USA, Puerto Rico and Canada, a breeder will enter one or more of his Sloughis to a show, and is competing against himself. However some of them do very well in the "Group" class and even in the "BIS class", but this of course, competing only against other Rare Breeds of dogs, the Rare Breed dog shows (In the USA, Rare breed is "not recognized by the American Kennel Club").

With this in mind, we realize the true meaning of these shows is to promote the Sloughi, giving him a great exposure to the public. Awards and titles are only secondary to the growing admiration the Sloughi receives at each outing. At least that is what the ASLA and its members are hoping.

Of course, it is not the same in Europe, where big shows and other events like racing and lure-coursing are readily offered to the Sloughi. We hope that we will see, little by little, more Sloughis in the show arenas and lure-coursings in the USA.

But also, we should not forget that a Sloughi is not bred to be a show dog. He is a Sighthound, bred to be a racing and hunting dog, but more than anything else, now in our modern lives, to be a wonderful companion and part of his owner's family.

The American Sloughi Association is glad to have not had a single Sloughi rejected or abandoned by an owner in its membership. Unfortunately the ASLA has received news of Sloughis who have been found abandoned in shelters. It has been established that it was Sloughis, imported by individuals who were not affiliated to a Breed Club in the USA. These Sloughis have since found excellent homes with the help of ASLA members. This is an unfortunately example why the ASLA has adopted a severe Code of Ethics with a "Puppy Buyer Questionnaire" originally prepared by ASLA Officers. ASLA members are required "to be willing to take back, at any age, the Sloughi they sell, if not suitable for the new owner, or if the dog is in unsuitable circumstances."

For more than 20 years, ASLA members have been breeding, owning and actively promoting with great expertise, this breed, in Europe and the USA. We can trust their experience and ask for their advice.

©Copyright 1997 E. Moreau-Sipiere

American Sloughi Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 308
North Liberty, IA 52317-0129 USA
Phone: 319-626-6446 Fax: 319-626-3225
E-Mail: moreausip@aol.com

* NOTE: This information has been contributed by, and is property of The American Sloughi Association, Inc, and is gratefully used here with permission.

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