While the Sloughi's origins are a bit unclear, it is known that the breed originated around the Mediterranean Basin and that they were owned by Egyptian nobles, Berber kings, and nomadic chieftains. It is possible that they originated in what is now Ethiopia, as earthenware from about 3000 BCE depicts a Sloughi-like dog. They are sighthounds that were bred to hunt in packs through the desert, which they are still used for today.