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The Azawakh originated in the Sahel region of Africa. They have been bred by the numerous nomadic tribes of the Southern Sahara as hunting and guard dogs, as well as companions. The hound's vocations were, and still are, the chase, guarding and companionship. One cannot help but appreciate their regalness. These dogs often can be seen sleeping on the low straw roofs of the village homes of their Mali owners. As a hyena or other night predators approaches, the first Azawakh to see it jumps down and is quickly joined by the others; they form a pack and chase away or kill the intruder.
Appearance: Rangy, leggy, lean, and elegant, the
Azawakh is extremely high-stationed, taller than it is long.
Its back length should be 90 percent of its leg length to
withers (shoulder blades). It has a deep chest, which should
not go below the elbows, and a high tuck/waist.
The breed weighs from 33 to 55 pounds (15-25 kg); its
height is 24 to 29 inches (60-74 cm). The coat is very short
and almost absent on the belly. Its bone structure shows
clearly through the skin and musculature. Its muscles lie
quite flat, unlike the Greyhound, and in this respect it is
closer to the Saluki.
Colours permitted by the FCI breed standard are clear sand
to dark fawn/brown, red and brindle (with or without a dark
mask), with white bib, tail tip, and white on all feet (which
can be tips of toes to high stockings). Currently, white
stockings that go above the elbow joint are considered
disqualifying features in France, as is a white collar or half
collar.
Many other colours occur in Africa such as black, blue fawn
(that is, with a lilac cast), grizzle, and blue. The Azawakh
in its native land also comes in particolour. Blue brindle is
also found in about 0.5% of the population; this is a normal
recessive gene which again does not meet current FCI
standards. The Azawakh’s light, supple, elastic gait is a
notable breed characteristic, as is a 'bouncy gallop'.
Azawakhs need to be well socialised from an early age and
should be challenged with new situations. They are a
combination of a sprinter (though not as fast as a Greyhound)
and a long distance runner (like a Saluki). Therefore they
need a good to high level of exercise and should have regular
runs off lead in large enclosed areas to run off steam.
Temperament: It manages to balance a close bond with
its owner with a strong, almost feline independence.
Attentive, distant, reserved with strangers, Azawakhs are
gentle and affectionate with those they accept.
History: Bred by the Tuareg nomads of the Sahara and
sub-Saharan Sahel in the countries of Mali, Niger, and Burkina
Faso, the breed is used there as a guard dog and to hunt
gazelle and hare at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. Unlike
some other Afro-Asian sighthounds it is more of a pack hunter
and they bump down the quarry with hindquarters when it has
been tired out. The Sloughi, by comparison, is more of an
independent lone hunter and has a high hunting instinct.
They are relatively uncommon in Europe and North America
but there is a growing band of devotees. It is not a 'doggy'
dog, being very feline in temperamanet and therefore not a
good pet for mainstream owners. However, well socialised and
trained, they can be good with cats, children, and strangers.
The breed is not yet registered by CKC or AKC (but is recorded
in AKC’s Foundation Stock Service); it is registered with
UKC, ARBA and others.
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