Sabtu, 03 September 2011

What You Need to Know Before You Buy an Azawakh?



Native of Sahara Africa



Raise Azawakh puppies if you are security conscious and want a dependable guard dog. The Azawakh is a hardy dog breed, which originated in the southern Sahara Desert region in Africa. It is a sighthound that was reared and bred for thousands of years by Saharan nomads. They found the Azawakh to be a faithful and loyal hunting companion. The Fula, Tuareg, and other nomadic tribesmen in Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger were the original breeders of this extraordinary canine.

The Azawakh breed of today has retained much of its primordial traits as a hunting dog in the wild. It is agile and swift and can maintain a running pace of forty miles an hour. This characteristic made them efficient hunters that could track both large and small game ranging from a hare to a gazelle. This dog, therefore, was a valued possession of many African aboriginal tribes that depended upon hunting for their daily sustenance. Some cattle-raising tribesmen have also found the Azawakh to be valuable watchdogs for their herds.

Breed Characteristics

To most of these tribesmen, the Azawakh is not just an ordinary pet nor is their relationship strictly a master–dog one. They view this dog as an equal partner in a symbiotic relationship of give and take as well as respect for each other.

The physical appearance of an Azawakh commands the respect it deserves. Though feline-looking, it has an unmistakably masculine appearance with leggy features and a fine, short coat that needs minimal grooming. Its coat is either solid, patterned or spotted with a coloration that can be black, brown, fawn, light sable or other hues.
In adulthood, a healthy Azawakh can grow as tall as 23 to 29 inches. Its height is most pronounced in the legs, which convey an overall impression of an elegant dog with great finesse. The male can tip the scale at fifty-five pounds while the smaller female can weight about thirty-seven pounds. This breed has an average lifespan of around twelve years.

Breed Personality

Besides hunting, Azawakhs are splendid guard dogs and keenly intelligent. The close bond it forms with its master balances well with its nearly feline independence. This dog can be aloof with strangers yet attentive to its family. Those that command its respect find this dog affectionate and gentle. It will balk at the touch of a stranger but won’t show immediate aggression, unless provoked.

If well-trained and socialized, Azawakh puppies can grow up to co-exist peacefully with other pets, children, and strangers in a household. This breed can also adapt well to an urban environment if allowed enough exercise. Ownership of this breed, however, has yet to pick up in North America and Europe. Keeping this desert dog in the colder American and European climes will require providing the Azawakh with a coat, particularly during winter time.


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