Sloughi vs Saluki — Complete Comparison

Choosing between the Sloughi and the Saluki comes down to lifestyle fit, living space, and the time you can commit to training and grooming. In terms of size, the Sloughi is large while the Saluki is medium, which affects exercise space requirements, feeding costs, and average lifespan. Both breeds have comparable exercise needs, though individual dogs will vary. Lifespan is also worth considering — Sloughis typically live 12–16 years, whereas Salukis average 12–14 years. Neither breed is particularly recommended for households with young children without careful supervision.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Trait	Sloughi	Saluki
Size	Large	Medium
Weight	20–27 kg	16–29 kg
Height	61–72 cm	58–71 cm
Lifespan	12–16 yrs	12–14 yrs
Exercise Need	High (4/5)	High (4/5)
Grooming Need	Very Low (1/5)	Low (2/5)
Shedding	Very Low (1/5)	Low (2/5)
Trainability	Low (2/5)	Low (2/5)
Good with Children	✗	✗
Good with Dogs	✓	✓
Apartment Friendly	✗	✗

Bold green indicates the better result for that trait. Exercise, grooming and shedding: lower is easier to manage. Trainability and lifespan: higher is better.

Health Comparison

Understanding each breed's health profile helps owners budget for insurance, schedule appropriate screening, and make informed decisions before purchasing.

Sloughi (3 conditions)

Saluki (5 conditions)

Conditions shared by both breeds: progressive retinal atrophy .

Which Breed Is Right for You?

Based on data across health, exercise, trainability, and temperament, here is how the two breeds compare across common owner priorities:

Best for families with children neither breed is strongly recommended for households with very young children without careful supervision

Best for apartment living neither breed — both thrive with access to outdoor space

Best for active owners Sloughi (exercise level 4/5)

Best for first-time owners both breeds are reasonably manageable for committed first-time owners

Longer average lifespan Sloughi (12–16 yrs vs 12–14 yrs)

Explore Each Breed in Depth

Sloughi

The Sloughi is a North African sighthound revered for centuries by the Berber and Arab peoples of Morocco, Algeria, Tuni…

large · Hound · 12–16 yrs

Saluki

The Saluki is one of the oldest and most ancient of all breeds, with depictions in Egyptian tombs dating back 4,000 year…

medium · Hound · 12–14 yrs

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is bigger — a Sloughi or a Saluki?

The Sloughi and Saluki are very similar in size. The Sloughi weighs 20–27 kg and the Saluki weighs 16–29 kg.

Which breed lives longer — Sloughi or Saluki?

The Sloughi generally has a longer lifespan (12–16 years) compared to the Saluki (12–14 years). Smaller breeds typically outlive larger ones, and individual genetics, diet, and preventive care all play significant roles.

Are Sloughis or Salukis easier to train?

Both the Sloughi and Saluki have comparable trainability (2/5). Consistent positive reinforcement methods work well for both breeds.

Which needs more grooming — Sloughi or Saluki?

The Saluki requires considerably more grooming (2/5) than the Sloughi (1/5). The Saluki's smooth or feathered short coat needs more frequent brushing and professional grooming to stay in good condition.

Which breed is better for families — Sloughi or Saluki?

Neither breed is typically recommended as the best choice for households with very young children without careful management and thorough early socialisation. Close supervision is advised with either breed.

Do Sloughis and Salukis have the same health problems?

Some health conditions are shared between both breeds, including progressive retinal atrophy. The Sloughi has 3 documented conditions overall and the Saluki has 5. Pet insurance is strongly recommended for both.

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