Breed profile

Sloughi (Galgo Árabe)

Sighthound of the desert. More slender than the Saluki. Reserved and loyal. Needs a safe area to run.

Origin: Norte de África Size: Grande Lifespan: 12-16 años Energy

Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Ideal for

✓Calm families
✓Flats with daily walks + sprints

Reconsider if

×Homes with rabbits/cats
×Extreme climates without a coat

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Is the Sloughi (Galgo Árabe) a good match for you?

Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Suitable for flats

Suitable for first-timers

Good with children

With other dogs

With cats

Tolerates being alone

Energy level

Ease of training

Shedding level

Grooming needs

Tendency to bark

Ease of handling

Tolerates heat

Tolerates cold

💶 Estimated cost of ownership

80-125 €/month

Food 28-40 €, vet costs prorated (vaccinations, deworming, check-up, anaesthetic precaution) 18-28 €, insurance and unexpected costs 12-22 €, coat/bed and accessories 8-15 €, basic hygiene 4-10 €.

History and origin

Recognised by the FCI. Originating in North Africa. A desert sighthound.

Temperament and character

Intelligent, loyal and well-balanced when properly socialised and trained. Needs daily mental stimulation. Responds best to positive reinforcement. Physical punishment breeds fear and reactivity.

Living together

Children: good with respectful ones. **Other dogs:** sociable with its own type. **Cats/rabbits:** strong prey drive, NO.

Life stages of the Sloughi (Galgo Árabe)

Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 12-16 años.

Puppy

0-15 months

Broad socialisation of this sensitive, reserved sighthound; controlled exercise during growth.

Young adult

1-4 years

Running and free galloping in a safe area; protection from the cold due to his scant body fat.

Adult

4-9 years

Physical upkeep; eye checks; caution with anaesthetics typical of sighthounds.

Senior

9+ years

Ophthalmic and cardiac check-ups; senior diet and a padded bed.

Care

Exercise: long walks + free-running sprints.

Brushing: brief weekly session.

**Coat in winter.

Vet: documented anaesthetic sensitivity — always inform them.

Care in detail

🍽️ Nutrition

Quality food in 2 meals, adjusted to his natural sighthound leanness: he should be slim but not skeletal, with the last two ribs visible. Avoid large meals close to intense exercise.

✂️ Grooming

Very short, fine coat with minimal upkeep: weekly brushing with a grooming mitt and a bath only when needed. Check the skin (thin and delicate), the nails and the pads. In winter he needs a coat more than brushing.

🎓 Training

Reserved, sensitive and closely bonded to his family, aloof with strangers. Learns through positive reinforcement and trust, never harshness: he is proud and shuts down under punishment. Early, patient socialisation so he is not excessively shy.

🏃 Exercise

Long daily walks plus free sprints in a fenced enclosure. He is a desert distance-and-speed runner: he needs to stretch out at a gallop safely. With a very high prey drive, never off-lead near cats, rabbits or traffic.

Breed-specific health

Conditions commonly seen in the breed according to its FCI group. Life expectancy 12-16 years with proper care. Annual vet check plus blood work from age 5.

🩺 Health predispositions of this breed

Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.

🌑Atrofia progresiva de retina

Common diseases in dogs

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

🐾Dermatitis atópica 🍄Tiña (dermatofitosis)🦟Alergia a la picadura de pulga (DAPP)🤢Gastroenteritis ☠️Parvovirosis canina 🆘Torsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)

See all 158 diseases in the health guide

Screening and prevention for the Sloughi (Galgo Árabe)

Recommended tests and screenings

✓Ophthalmic examination (progressive retinal atrophy; a breed-specific genetic test exists)
✓Cardiac auscultation and echocardiography
✓Haematology and biochemistry using sighthound reference ranges
✓Pre-anaesthetic assessment (documented sensitivity to anaesthetics)

Prevention

ALWAYS warn that this is a sighthound before anaesthesia or sedation: little body fat and a different metabolism. Coat in winter and a padded bed. Genetic test for retinal atrophy before breeding. Protection of the thin skin against abrasions.

Check-up schedule

Annual check-up with reference blood work in the adult; ophthalmic and cardiac monitoring. One-off PRA genotyping if appropriate.

Warning signs

!Slow recovery or exaggerated reaction after anaesthesia/sedation
!Progressive night blindness or bumping into objects (retinal atrophy)
!Murmur or early tiring during exercise
!Shivering and seeking warmth in the cold (thin skin, little fat)

Sloughi (Galgo Árabe) gallery

Foto de la raza sloughi — Foto: Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions about the Sloughi (Galgo Árabe)

How long does a Sloughi (Galgo Árabe) live?

▾

The life expectancy of the Sloughi (Galgo Árabe) is 12-16 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.

How much does a Sloughi (Galgo Árabe) weigh?

▾

An adult Sloughi (Galgo Árabe) weighs between 20-30 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is grande.

Where does the Sloughi (Galgo Árabe) breed come from?

▾

The Sloughi (Galgo Árabe) originates from Norte de África. Recognised by the FCI. Originating in North Africa. A desert sighthound.

How much exercise does a Sloughi (Galgo Árabe) need?

▾

The Sloughi (Galgo Árabe) has media energy. **Exercise:** long walks + free-running sprints.

Is the Sloughi (Galgo Árabe) good with children?

▾

**Children:** good with respectful ones. **Other dogs:** sociable with its own type. **Cats/rabbits:** strong prey drive, NO.

Who is the Sloughi (Galgo Árabe) NOT recommended for?

▾

It isn't the right breed for: Homes with rabbits/cats. Extreme climates without a coat. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.

What health problems does the Sloughi (Galgo Árabe) have?

▾

Conditions commonly seen in the breed according to its FCI group. Life expectancy 12-16 years with proper care. Annual vet check plus blood work from age 5.

How does it differ from the Saluki?

▾

The Sloughi is the sighthound of North Africa (the Maghreb), with a short smooth coat and none of the Saluki's feathering on the ears and tail. It is somewhat more muscular and reserved. Both are desert sighthounds, but of different traditions and appearance.

Can it live with cats or rabbits?

▾

Very difficult. It has an extremely high prey drive and was bred to hunt in the desert. With household cats, at best and if raised together, there is risk; with rabbits or rodents it is thoroughly inadvisable.

Is it affectionate?

▾

Very much with its family, to whom it bonds intensely, but in an elegant and reserved rather than effusive way. With strangers it is aloof and dignified. It needs trust and gentle handling; it is a sensitive dog that cannot bear harshness.

Does it cope with the cold?

▾

Poorly. It is a desert dog, with a very fine coat and very little fat: it tolerates heat well but chills easily. In winter it needs a coat, a padded bed and a warm spot in the home.

Is it a good breed for someone without experience?

▾

It is not the easiest: its sensitivity, its shyness with strangers, its prey drive and the anaesthetic precaution call for some experience with sighthounds. With a calm, patient and respectful owner, it is a loyal and clean companion.