If you crave a rare breed that will make a devoted and quiet companion, consider the Azawakh. The sighthound's svelte physique is built to run fast and play hard on lure courses and agility courses. At the end of the day, the Azawakh will be content to fill the role of couch potato as the family gathers for an evening of television viewing. The Azawakh is a sighthound that was developed as a hunter, guard dog and companion to accompany the nomadic Touareg people of Africa’s western region of Sahel. Part of this region includes the Azawakh Valley, for which the dog is named. The Azawakh protected the camps and their flocks from intruders, such as hyenas, and he provided meat for the nomads by hunting boar, antelope and hare. The rare breed came to the United States during the 1980s.
The Azawakh like most African and Middle Eastern sighthounds, it is elegant dog breed and almost feline in its gait. This breed is a rare African sighthound. Azawakhs have long, lean bodies with long legs. They have long muzzles and almond-shaped eyes. Their short, triangular ears are floppy They may seem scary skinny, but are have high stamina and extraordinary hunting instincts. Their coat is shiny and glossy and easy to take care of. Like most hunting breeds, they are prone to hip or joint injuries. Leggy, lithe, sleek, slender and elegant are all words that can apply to describe an Azawakh. They stand 23 to 29 inches tall and weigh 33 to 55 pounds. The dog is built for speed, agility and endurance with a lean and strong musculature. The smooth coat may be red, fawn, blue, black, brown or sandy in color, and brindle or party mix patterns are also available. Azawakhs typically display white blazes on their chests, white markings on their legs and a white tip on their whip-like tails. Some Azawakhs may also wear black masks on their faces.
Personality
The Azawakh is a breed that forms strong social bonds. They are entirely devoted to their human companions and are very affectionate towards people they care for. This breed needs lots of exercise and is an ideal companion for runners or athletes. Azawakhs are also very heat tolerant and can sprint for hours on hot, humid days. Although they were originally bred to herd and protect livestock, they are not aggressive towards strangers and other dogs unless they feel threatened. Azakwahs are pack animals and have great memories. They can recognize each other after long separation periods. Developed as a hunter, the Azawakh possesses a strong prey instinct. It is not an ideal companion for a household with cats and other small animals. It is also not the type of dog that will happily rough and tumble with playful children. The Azawakh is loyal and quiet, however, making this dog a loving companion for older children who enjoy calmer pastimes, such as reading or playing video games. The Azawakh extremely devoted and bonded to its family, but it is independent and can be aloof with strangers. The breed is territorial and fiercely protective, making it an excellent guard dog. It is highly intelligent, and it is an excellent candidate for lure coursing and agility training. Azawakhs are runners, and they must be provided with a fenced yard in which to fulfill this need on a daily basis.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 10 - 13 years |
| Nicknames: | Azawakh Hound, Touareg Sloughi |
Azawakh Build Information
The Azawakh like most African and Middle Eastern sighthounds, it is elegant dog breed and almost feline in its gait. This breed is a rare African sighthound. Azawakhs have long, lean bodies with long legs. They have long muzzles and almond-shaped eyes. Their short, triangular ears are floppy They may seem scary skinny, but are have high stamina and extraordinary hunting instincts. Their coat is shiny and glossy and easy to take care of. Like most hunting breeds, they are prone to hip or joint injuries. Leggy, lithe, sleek, slender and elegant are all words that can apply to describe an Azawakh. They stand 23 to 29 inches tall and weigh 33 to 55 pounds. The dog is built for speed, agility and endurance with a lean and strong musculature. The smooth coat may be red, fawn, blue, black, brown or sandy in color, and brindle or party mix patterns are also available. Azawakhs typically display white blazes on their chests, white markings on their legs and a white tip on their whip-like tails. Some Azawakhs may also wear black masks on their faces.
| Size: | Medium |
Behaviour and Personality
The Azawakh is a breed that forms strong social bonds. They are entirely devoted to their human companions and are very affectionate towards people they care for. This breed needs lots of exercise and is an ideal companion for runners or athletes. Azawakhs are also very heat tolerant and can sprint for hours on hot, humid days. Although they were originally bred to herd and protect livestock, they are not aggressive towards strangers and other dogs unless they feel threatened. Azakwahs are pack animals and have great memories. They can recognize each other after long separation periods. Developed as a hunter, the Azawakh possesses a strong prey instinct. It is not an ideal companion for a household with cats and other small animals. It is also not the type of dog that will happily rough and tumble with playful children. The Azawakh is loyal and quiet, however, making this dog a loving companion for older children who enjoy calmer pastimes, such as reading or playing video games. The Azawakh extremely devoted and bonded to its family, but it is independent and can be aloof with strangers. The breed is territorial and fiercely protective, making it an excellent guard dog. It is highly intelligent, and it is an excellent candidate for lure coursing and agility training. Azawakhs are runners, and they must be provided with a fenced yard in which to fulfill this need on a daily basis.
| Activity Level: | Moderately active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Friendly |
Appearance
An Azawakh's coat requires little grooming. Using a grooming mitt once a week will maintain a healthy shine and remove dead hairs. Inspect the ears weekly, and keep them clean to prevent infections. Brushing the teeth every other day will help to maintain oral and overall health.
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Low Maintenance |
Azawakh Common Health Conditions
Azawakhs live an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years. Hypothyroidism and von Willebrand's disease are among the few known health conditions of this breed. The deep-chested build increases the chances for developing gastric torsion, or bloat, which is life threatening and requires immediate emergency medical intervention. Azawakhs, like greyhounds, often display blood test results that would be considered abnormal for most breeds, but the atypical results are normal for them.
Azawakh Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The Azawakh originated in the Sahel region of West Africa. The Azawakh is also called an Azawakh hound and a Touareg sloughi. The Azawakh is quiet, independent and aloof. It is also protective, and becomes extremely bonded to its family. The Azawakh stands 23 to 29 inches tall and weighs 33 to 55 pounds. Azwakhs have a moderate energy level. Azawakhs require minimal grooming. The average lifespan for an Azwakh is 10 to 13 years.
| Training: | Moderately easy |