sloughi rescue

The exact origins of the breed date too far back to be completely known and remain speculative. Representations of African Sighthound-like dogs go back to the 8th-7th millennium BC. and artifacts of Ancient Egypt show us how valuable straight eared and lop-eared smooth Sighthounds were in those days. The smooth lop-eared Sighthounds of ancient Egypt are thought to have originated from Asia (east of Egypt), but they were also part of tributes to the Pharaohs from Nubia (South of Egypt). This ancient hound resembles today's Sloughi, Saluki, Azawakh and smooth Afghan, and it is impossible without any genetic study to know whether it was a breed of its own, whether it was identical to one of these 4 breeds, or whether it was the ancestor of all lop-eared Sighthounds.

By the beginning of the 20th century, the Sloughi was almost extinct. Political upheavals had disrupted highly sophisticated breeding by leading families. A French law introduced during French occupation which prohibited hunting with Sighthounds had resulted in the shooting on sight of these dogs. Epidemic rabies had further decimated the Sloughi population. In spite of dedicated efforts which started at the end of the 1960's in Europe, North Africa and the USA, the Sloughi is still not very common, and its breeders have an important responsibility in the conservation of this ancient breed.

Picture Above: Male Sloughi Amir Shi'Rayan
FCH, ORC, GRC, NOTRA National Ch., SORC
Picture taken age 11 1/2 © De Caprona

The Sloughi's native countries are Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. It is the hound of the Berber and Bedouin who have always highly treasured the Sloughi's tremendous hunting skills, beauty and loyalty and treated him like family.

In the old days, the Sloughi used to hunt desert hare, fennec (desert fox), gazelle, large mountain gazelle, hyena, ostrich, and jackal. Today it hunts mainly desert hare, fennec, rarely gazelle, and protects the goat and sheep herds by hunting their predator the jackal. Like all Sighthounds, Sloughis are open space hunters which rely on excellent vision, speed and stamina to catch their prey. They chase on sight anything that moves, however far away. Although the breed hunts mainly by sight, it also relies on scent and sound to do so.

Picture Above: Female Sloughi Phareeda Shi'Rayan GRC
Picture taken age 1 year © De Caprona

The Sloughi is also an alert watch dog, which remains aloof and cautious with people it does not know. Sloughis take time to warm up to strangers allowed to enter the house, and it is always best to let them do it at their own pace. With its owner the Sloughi is gentle, affectionate and very loyal. Once it has bonded with someone, the Sloughi does not always change owner with ease. Bedouins treasure this attitude and have bred their Sloughis accordingly.

Author: Dominique Crapon de Caprona, reproduced with kind permission

Dominique Crapon de Caprona's book on the Sloughi is available for purchase, an excellent read for any Sloughi enthusiast.

Available to purchase from here in the UK or Europe

Available to purchase direct from Author here in the US

Proceeds of the sale of this book go to support SFAA's activities for the breed, including rescue.

Members of the SFAA have followed the Sloughi Rescue situation in the UK with interest, and offered much support and advice. This has been very much appreciated.

Dominique Crapon de Caprona's second book
'The Sloughi 1852 - 1952' is now available to purchase. Including:

The first descriptions, the first portraits
Sloughi in the Arts, Literature, Paintings, Sculptures
Sloughi Legends
The First breeders in the Netherlands, Germany and France
Sloughis in the Countries of Origin
Sloughis in Racing and Coursing
Sloughi and Other Huntings breeds.
The First Standards in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

100s of illustrations, photos and engravings
Fabulous 19th century artwork in color
Texts from France, Germany and the United Kingdom
Original standards and their translations into English

Another must read for any Sloughi enthusiast!

For details on how to order click here