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A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library

Interim

General Appearance
Elegant, racy yet strong, without coarseness. A dignified hound with fine skin marked by its muscular leanness. Capable of sustained effort over long distances.

Characteristics
Quiet, of dignified bearing. Noble, haughty and extremely expressive with the instincts of a hunting hound.

Temperament
Loyal to owner, affectionate with family, aloof with strangers.

Head and Skull
Long, refined, an elongated wedge showing strength but not excessively angular. Skull flat, fairly broad. Clearly rounded at back of skull and curving smoothly into sides. Slightly marked frontal bone and pronounced occiput. Muzzle refined without exaggeration, about equal in length to skull. Slight stop. Nose and lips black.

Eyes
Large, dark, oval, set slightly obliquely. Expression gentle, rather sad and wistful. In light-coated hounds, lighter eyes permissible.

Ears
Not too large, triangular in shape but with rounded tips; flat. Usually folding down and carried close to head, set level with, or slightly above eye but may be carried away from the skull or sometimes even thrown backwards.

Mouth
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Strong yet very elegant in proportion to body. Moderately long with good arch. Skin slightly loose, making fine pleats under throat.

Forequarters
Shoulder blades long and set obliquely onto body. Flat bone and well muscled. Upper arm of moderate length. Pasterns supple and strong.

Body
Chest not broad. Prominent sternum. Slightly sprung ribs giving fairly flat appearance, reaching almost to point of elbow. Reasonably well ribbed back with definite tuck up. Loin short, broad and muscular, and slightly arched. Topline almost level. Relatively short croup, obliquely set. Pin bones prominent.

Hindquarters
Strongly muscled. Fairly flat appearance with moderate angulation, Second thigh long and well-developed. Hocks well let down.

Feet
Lean, elongated hare foot, fairly well arched.

Tail
Fine and well set on without fringes or long hair. Strong curve at end which preferably reaches to point of hock. Set in line with croup as a continuation of topline. When moving never carried higher than level of back.

Gait/Movement
Free, smooth, effortless gait, head carriage not too high. Without exaggerated extension.

Coat
Fine and short. Undercoat may grow during winter.

Colour
Colour ranges from light sand to red sand (fawn), with or without black mask, black mantle, black brindling or black overlay. Excessive white undesirable.

Size
Height at withers: dogs 66-72 cms (26-28¼ ins), bitches 61-68 cms (24-26¾ ins).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - April 2002

Glossary of Canine Terms

Some links to health information and resources that may be relevant to this breed:

Veterinary screening schemes - The Kennel Club operates these with the British Veterinary Association.

DNA screening schemes - detect disease-causing mutations in a number of breeds.

Current Accredited Breeder Scheme health screening requirements and recommendations - for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder.

Breed Watch - a tool aimed at dog show judges and exhibitors to highlight and tackle any current concerns in a breed

Health Test results Finder Tool - access results of any official KC health testing scheme for Kennel Club registered dogs

2004 Purebred Dog Health Survey Results - Individual summaries are available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available to order from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

SLOUGHI CLUB. Sec: Mrs E Porteous-Thompson. Tel No: 01843 593209

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Hound Group 

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