SLOUGHI

Official U.K.C. Breed Standard*

Sighthounds Group
  © Copyright 1995, United Kennel Club, Inc.

HISTORY

The Sloughi was originally from the Orient, but has been adapted for many centuries to North Africa. Now the greatest concentration of the breed is in Morocco.

The Sloughi was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1995.

GENERAL APPEARANCE & CHARACTERISTICS

Their general appearance is that of a very racy dog, exemplified by their delicacy of tissue and muscular leanness. Although noble and haughty, the Sloughi is very attached to its master and defends him when necessary. While possessing the instincts of a hunter, and being capable of sustained effort, the Sloughi also appreciates the comforts of home. They are sighthounds, and have a unique short hair coat.
Fault: Bad proportions.

HEAD AND SKULL

In profile, the head is long, refined and delicate, but rather strong compared to other sighthounds. Seen from above, the top pal of the skull is flat and rather broad. From one ear to the other it is from four (4) to five (5) inches (12 to 13 cm.). In a large dog it may be six 6 inches (14 cm.), but this is rare.

The skull is distinctly rounded at the back, and curves harmoniously on the sides.

The superciliary ridges (brows) are scarcely projecting. The frontal grove is hardly marked. The top of the skull and the protuberance of the occiput are visible.

The muzzle has the shape of a refined (without exaggeration) and elongated wedge. It is roughly as long as the skull.

The lips are thin and supple, just covering the lower jaw.

Faults: Head a little bit heavy. Stop too pronounced.

TEETH
A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite.

EYES
The large, dark eyes are well-set in their sockets. They are sometimes not totally open because of a slight obliquity of the eyelids. The expression is gentle, but slightly sad, like nostalgic. In a dog with a light coat, eyes are generally amber-colored.
Fault: Light-colored eyes.

NOSE
The bridge of the nose is straight from its root. The nose leather is not held up by the skeletal structure, and starts a very slight line going down. The nose is black in color. It is strong enough to avoid being pinched.

EARS
The high-set ears droop close to the head. They are large, triangular, and slightly rounded at the tips.

NECK

The long neck springs well up from the shoulders. The topline of the neck is slightly arched. The skin of the neck is fine and tight, without any dewlap. The hair is very smooth.

FOREQUARTERS

The shoulders are long and oblique.

FORELEGS
The upper arm, forearm and elbow are strong. The lower arms are bony and muscular. The wrist (carpus) and pastern (metacarpus) are supple and strong.
The forefeet are lean and in the shape of an elongated oval. In many lightly-built Sloughis, the foot assumes the shape of a harefoot. The nails are black or just pigmented.

BODY

The back is short, almost horizontal. The loin is short, dry, wide, and slightly arched. The croup is bony and oblique.

The chest is not too wide and is well-ribbed-up. In depth, it hardly reaches the level of the elbow. The ribs are flat; close-fitting to a long sternum.

The belly and flanks are well tucked up.

A male of the ideal size of 28 inches (70 cm.) should have a body length of 26 to 27 inches (67 to 68 cm.).
A female of the ideal size of 26 inches (65 cm.) should have a body length of 24 to 25 inches (62 to 63 cm.).

Faults: Body a little bit heavy. Bad topline. Rounded ribs. Belly not tucked-up enough. Croup too oblique. Croup insufficient. Croup too narrow.

HINDQUARTERS

HIND LEGS
The upper thigh is flat and muscular. The lower thigh is long and well-muscled. The hock is strong and well-bent. The rear pastern is strong, and without dewclaws.

The hind feet are lean and in the shape of an elongated oval. In many lightly-built Sloughis, the foot assumes the shape of a harefoot. The nails are black or just pigmented.

TAIL

The tail is thin, without fleshiness. It is set in line with the croup and carded under the horizontal line of the back. At the least, it should be long enough to reach the point of the hocks.
Faults: Tail not long enough. Tail too furnished with hair. Badly carried tail.

COAT & SKIN

The very fine skin is close-fitting to the body without folds or dewlap.
The hair is very short, tight, and fine.
Faults: Coat hard and coarse.

COLOR

Acceptable colors include: light sand, sand, fawn (red sand), sand with a black overlay, and brindle; with or with-Coat out a black mask; with or without a black mantle.(color)

The following are permitted: a small white mark on the chest; a few white hairs at the tip of the toes. Both are hard to see on light coats and should be tolerated on dark-coated dogs.

HEIGHT

Height range, measured at the withers, for males is from 25 to 29 inches (66 to 72 cm.). Ideal size is 28 inches (70 cm.).

Height range, measured at the withers, for females is from 24 to 27 inches (61 to 68 cm.). Ideal size is 26 inches (65 cm.).

Serious Fault: Any dog over 30 inches (75 cm.) in height

GAIT

Characteristic gaits include the walk, trot and gallop, especially the gallop.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

• Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
• Extreme viciousness or shyness.
• Unpigmented areas (flesh-colored).
• Erect ears.
• Ears with tips drooping forward.
• Ears too long.
• Ears folding backward.
• Half-long coat.
• Fringes on legs or tail.
• White markings (other than those listed as permissible).
• White stockings.
• Overshot bite.
• Undershot bite.
• Color not in accordance with the standard.

* NOTE: This information has been contributed by, and is property of The United Kennel Club, Inc. and is gratefully used here with permission.

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