Sloughi

Sloughis are independent dogs that have an inbuilt desire to hunt and have the stamina to keep going. Cats and other small animals are seen as prey to this dog that hasn't been socialised with them from an early age. Not a breed suited to someone who has little time, he makes a devoted, loyal family dog in the right home. This is not a noisy hound.

The Sloughi dog breed is revered by the Bedouin tribesmen, who decorate the Sloughi with talismans and amulets. When a Bedouin goes visiting, his Sloughi is treated with the same respect as any honoured guest, and tribesmen will willingly give up their blanket for their Sloughi should they be cold. And when the Sloughi dog dies, the grief of the Bedouin is apparent and the hound is mourned with dignity. There is evidence of the Sloughi dating back to the Ancient Egyptians, and a mummified body of a Sloughi has been discovered in a tomb.

Your dog's diet needs to have the right balance of all the main nutrient groups including a constant supply of fresh water. It's important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed him at least twice daily and in accordance with the feeding guidelines of his particular food.

These dogs require lots of exercise – two-plus hours for an adult dog. Once on the scent of game they will run and run, so exercise off-lead only in safe areas and train a reliable recall.

Health and common issues

The Sloughi is generally healthy and robust breed. As with many breeds there are hereditary eye disorders that can occur and so eye testing is recommended.

Best family dog breeds

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children , all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.