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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Health Issues Common to Azawakhs

It is often difficult to evaluate the health of an extremely rare breed. Most veterinarians have never even seen an Azawakh, and there is little research being done into breed-specific problems. The Azawakh is overall considered to be a very hardy and healthy breed.

Like all sighthounds, Azawakh may be sensitive to anesthesia, and may have atypical blood work and other lab results. Reviewing the known ways in which the Greyhound differs from other dogs may assist your veterinarian in determining if your Azawakh has a health problem or simply an "abnormal normal."

Like all deep-chested breeds, the Azawakh is at increased risk of bloat, a condition in which the stomach twists on itself, cutting off blood flow. Bloat and torsion strikes very suddenly, and a dog who was fine one minute can be dead a few hours later. Watch for symptoms like restlessness and pacing, drooling, pale gums and lip licking, trying to throw up but without bringing anything up, and signs of pain. Bloat requires immediate veterinary surgery, and most dogs that have bloated once will bloat again. That means it’s wise to opt for the procedure known as "stomach tacking," which will keep the stomach from twisting in the future. This procedure can also be done as a preventive measure.

Some Azawakh suffer from some types of seizure disorders, for which there are no screening tests. They can also be affected by cervical vertebral instability (CVI), commonly called Wobbler's syndrome. It's caused by a malformation of the vertebrae within the neck that results in pressure on the spinal cord and leads to weakness and lack of coordination in the hindquarters and sometimes to complete paralysis. Symptoms can be managed to a certain extent in dogs that are not severely affected, and some dogs experience some relief from surgery, but the outcome is far from certain. While CVI is thought to be genetic, there is no screening test for the condition.

Although rare, Azawakhs are among the breeds in which cystinuria is known to occur. Cystinuria is a genetic kidney defect that leads to the formation of bladder stones that are very difficult to manage with diet or medication and often requires surgery both to remove the stones from the bladder and to repair urinary blockages. There may be no advance signs that the dog is forming cystine stones. Many veterinarians are unfamiliar with cystinuria and may mistake them for more common stones such as struvites. Urinary blockage is a life-threatening veterinary emergency.

Unfortunately, the current screening test for cystinuria is of limited use, as it frequently gives a false negative. It does not give false positives unless the dog is on a particular type of antibiotic at the time the urine sample is taken, however, so a dog that tests positive does, in fact, have the condition, even if he tested negative in the past or tests negative in the future. And there is no genetic screening test, so it's impossible to determine if a dog is a carrier or not. 

Hip dysplasia is virtually unheard of in Azawakh, so if your dog is limping, painful, stiff or reluctant to get up or move around, look for another cause. There are a number of neck and spinal problems that can cause those symptoms, and the best place to get a diagnosis for any persistent muscolo-skeletal problem in an Azawakh is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon.

A good breeder will be able to discuss how prevalent all health problems, those with and those without genetic screening tests, are in her dogs' lines, and help puppy buyers make an informed decision about health risks to their dog.

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Is the Azawakh the Right Dog for You?

The Azawakh is intelligent and loyal. He must live indoors with his family, never outside with little attention. Puppies must go to their homes at an early age, and it’s not easy to re-home an older Azawakh because he has difficulty adjusting. Before you get one, be sure you are willing and able to commit to him for life. Puppies need extensive socialization to new people, places and situations, and it should continue throughout the dog’s life.

Unlike most sighthounds, Azawakhs have a protective streak and will bark at strangers. This is not a dog who will lead the burglar to the family silver.

Sighthounds such as the Azawakh are built for speed. His thin skin is stretched over a frame of muscle and bone. He should not be fat. Ignore people who accuse you of underfeeding him. He needs regular exercise to stay conditioned and is an ace competitor in lure coursing, a sport that involves chasing a mechanically operated artificial lure.

Like every sighthound, Azawakhs have a strong prey drive. He gets along with other dogs, but if you have cats or small dogs, they will not be safe around an Azawakh unless he has been brought up with them from an early age. Even so, it’s best to supervise them when they’re together and to separate them when you’re not home. And the Azawakh who gets along with small pets indoors may forget that they are his pals if he sees them running around outside. He certainly won’t have any qualms about chasing unknown cats or other small furry animals, so he must always be walked on leash. 

The Azawakh can live contentedly in an apartment or condo as long as he gets a daily walk or run of at least half an hour. He’s an excellent partner for joggers and runners and is then satisfied to be a couch potato for the rest of the day. Never permit an Azawakh to run free except in a safely enclosed area. An underground electronic fence does not constitute a safe enclosure, by the way. The Azawakh will run right over it, heedless of any level of shock. 

Although he loves to run, the Azawakh is not a play-with-the-kids kind of dog. Choose a different breed if you have young children or very active children who want a dog as a playmate. For older children who like to spend their time playing video games or reading, however, the Azawakh can be a good companion, as long as someone in the family provides the exercise he needs.

This is not a breed that thrives in cold or wet conditions. With his thin skin and low level of body fat, the Azawakh needs an indoor environment with cushioned surfaces to rest his bones.

Azawakhs are proud and independent. They respond well to positive reinforcement techniques, but punishment or heavy-handed methods will cause them to shut down. If you are firm, fair and provide the right motivation, they learn quickly and easily.

Looking for a dog with an easy-care coat? The Azawakh has you covered. Weekly brushing of his smooth, shorthaired coat and regular nail trimming and ear cleaning are all he needs to stay clean and in good condition, plus the occasional bath if he rolls in something stinky.

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5 Tips to Bring Home a Healthy Azawakh Puppy

• Don’t ever, ever, ever buy a puppy from a pet store. You’re more likely to get an unhealthy, unsocialized and difficult to housetrain puppy and will be supporting the cruelty of high-volume puppy mills.
• Find a good breeder who will match you with the right puppy and will, without question, have done all the health certifications necessary to screen out health problems as much as possible. Start your search for a good breeder with the The Azawakh Club or the American Azawakh Association.
• Consider an adult dog from a shelter or a rescue group. Often, health and behavior problems in dogs aren't apparent in puppyhood, but by adopting an older dog, most of them can be ruled out. In addition, Azawakhs can live as long as 14 years, so an adult dog will still be a part of your family for a long time to come.
• Puppy or adult, take your Azawakh to your veterinarian soon after adoption. Your veterinarian will be able to spot visible problems, and will work with you to set up a preventive regimen that will help you avoid many health issues.
• Make sure you have a good contract with the seller, shelter or rescue group that spells out responsibilities on both sides. In states with “puppy lemon laws,” be sure you and the person you get the dog from both understand your rights and recourses.

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A Look at the Azawakh Dog - The Rare African Sight Hound

The Azawakh, an African sight hound, has been a popular hunting partner for African hunters for hundreds of years (and in fact some rock paintings would suggest that this has been the case for as many as 10,000 years). Its keen eyesight, quick speed, and pack mentality make it a ferocious and effect hunting dog. It's long legs propel it forward at nearly 40 miles per hour, allowing it to effectively hunt gazelles and hares. It is also very protective of its family (which it includes into it's pack) and therefore makes a great guard dog (especially when there are more than one Azawakhs to work together as they instinctually do).

Although other sight hounds, like the Greyhound, have similar builds to the Azawakh, the African breed is quite different. It not only has the ability to run at full speed in temperatures reaching over 100 degrees without tiring (a feat which would kill a Greyhound), but it enjoys to do so. It also has a rare glucose isomerase allele (GPIB) that is only found in a few unrelated Japanese dogs, foxes, jackals, and Italian wolves which would suggest that where as most known canines stem from the family tree of wolves the Azawakh may come from more feral pariah dogs like the jackal.

Azawakh dogs are pack animals by nature, In the African villages where Azawakhs are popular, Azawakhs often sleep on the low straw roofs of their owner's homes. If a hyena or other predator approaches, the first Azawakh to see it will jump down from its roof to soon be joined by the other Azwakhs in the village. They will then form a pack to chase away the intruder, or kill it. When there are no other Azwakhs around (such as an American family who keeps one as a pet), they treat the family as their pack, defending them at all costs while still being loving and affectionate to the family. While they are not often openly aggressive toward strangers, they are quite reserved in the presence of the unknown and do not like to be touched by anyone outside their owning family.

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Meet the Azawakh, a Rare and Unique Sighthound

Azawakh History
The Azawakh is a very ancient breed of dog that was bred by the Tuareg, Fula and various other nomads of the Sahara and sub-Saharan Sahel. The original job of this breed was  as a guard dog and to hunt gazelle and hare. The harsh Sahel environment has ensured that only the most fit dogs survive and has accentuated the breeds ruggedness and independence. Unlike some other sight hounds, the Azawakh is more of a pack hunter and they bump down the quarry with hindquarters when it has been tired out. As a guard dog, if an Azawakh senses danger it will bark to alert the other members of the pack, and they will gather together as a pack under the lead of the alpha dog, then chase off or attack the predator.  Their owners treasure the dogs and treat them as members of their families. They will very rarely part with these dogs, so there are very few of these dog existing outside their native Africa

Azawakh Temperament
Azawakhs are very primitive in their temperaments, they have an intense suspicion of the unknown, a strong desire to dig dens, a strong pack instinct and are very territorial. The personalities of these dogs is also very diverse, some are very loving and affectionate while others are very dominant and aggressive. They bond intensely with their owners, but are very suspicious and standoffish with strangers. They make good watchdogs and will protect their territory quite aggressively. This breed has incredible endurance, they were bred to run for hours at a time in temperatures that would kill a Greyhound. To say that they need a lot of space to run is an understatement. It is also imperative that care is taken when this dog is off leash, since they will chase anything that is fast moving. The Azawakh is a breed that is not recommended for a novice owner and is better left to an owner with good dog handling skills.

Azawakh Appearance
Azawakhs are a lightly built dog that usually weighs 30 to 55 pounds and stand 24 to 29 inches at the withers. They are a dog that has very little fat on it's body and most of the skeleton shows through the coat. This lanky appearance is normal and does not mean that the dog is starving and underfed. Their coats are short, smooth and come in almost any color.

Azawakh Grooming
This breed is fairly easy to keep, they are considered a low shedding breed since they have such a fine hair coat. The usual maintenance is a weekly light brushing and a quick wipe down with a damp cloth to keep this dog looking at it's best.

Azawakh Life Expectancy and Health Problems
Due to their almost feral lifestyle, these dogs are very hardy and healthy. The Nomads that kept these dogs had very strict breeding protocols that weeded out undesirable traits and kept them genetically strong. Minor disease concerns are Hip Dysplasia and Epilepsy, which are rarely seen. As with most sight hounds, there are some sensitivities to drugs since they have such little body fat. The average lifespan of this breed is 11 to 13 years.

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Azawakh Dog Breed Profile

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Mali.

PATRONAGE COUNTRY: France.

UTILISATION: Sight hunting. The nomads considered the dog equally as a "show piece" and as a companion.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: It is an African sighthound of afro-asian type which appeared in Europe towards 1970 and comes from the Nigerian middle basin, among others from the valley of the Azawakh. For hundreds of years he has been the companion of the nomads of the South-Sahara.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: Particularly leggy and elegant, the Azawakh sighthound gives a general impression of great fineness. His bone structure and musculature is transparent beneath fine and lean tissues (skin). This sighthound presents itself as a rangy dog whose body fits into a rectangle with its longer sides in vertical position.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS:- Length of body/height at the withers = 9:10. This ratio may be slightly superior in the bitches.
- Height of chest/height at the withers = about 4:10.
- Length of muzzle/length of head = 1:2.
- Width of skull/length of head = 4:10.

BEHAVIOUR AND TEMPERAMENT: Quick, attentive, distant, reserved with strangers and may even be savage, but he can be gentle and affectionate with those he is willing to accept.

HEAD: Long, fine, lean and chiselled, rather narrow, without excess.

CRANIAL REGION: The skull is almost flat, rather elongated. The width of the skull must definitely be inferior to half the length of the head. The directions of the axes of the skull and the muzzle are often slightly divergent towards the front. The superciliary arches and the frontal furrow are slightly marked. On the other hand, the occipital crest is clearly protruding and the occipital protuberance marked.

Stop: Very slightly marked.

FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Nostrils well opened. The nose is either black or brown.
Muzzle: Long, straight, fine towards the front without exaggeration.
Jaws: Long and strong.
Cheeks: Flat.
Teeth: Scissor bite.
Eyes: Almond shaped, quite large. Their colour is dark or amber. Eyelids pigmented.
Ears: Set quite high. They are fine, always drooping and flat, quite wide at the base, close to the skull, never a "rose ear". Their shape is that of a triangle with a slightly rounded tip. Their base raises when the hound is attentive.

NECK: Good reach of neck which is long, fine and muscular, slightly arched. The skin is fine and does not form a dewlap.

BODY
Topline: Nearly straight, horizontal or rising towards the hips.
Withers: Quite prominent.
Loin: Short, lean and often slightly arched.
Hipbones: Distinctly protruding and always placed at an equal or superior height to the height of the withers.
Croup: Oblique without accentuated slant.
Forechest: Not very wide.
Chest: Well developed in length, deep but without reaching elbow level. It is not very wide but must have enough space for the heart, so, the sternal region of the chest must not abruptly become narrow.
Ribs: Long, visible, slightly and evenly curved down to the sternum.
Underline: The sternal arch is accentuated and joined without abruptness to the belly which tucked up very high below the lumbar arch.
Tail: Set low, long, thin, lean and tapered. Is covered with the same type of hair as that of the body and has a white brush at its extremity. Is carried hanging with the tip slightly raised, but when the dog is excited, it can be carried above the horizontal.

QUARTERS 

FOREQUARTERS:
Seen as a whole: Long, fine, almost entirely vertical; set perfectly well-set.
Shoulders: Long, lean and muscular and only slightly slanting seen in profile.
The scapulo-humeral angle is very open (about 130°).
Feet: Rounded shape, with fine and thighly closed toes; the pads are pigmented.

HINDQUARTERS:
Seen as a whole: Long and lean; legs perfectly vertical.
Thighs: Long with prominent and lean muscles. The coxo-femoral angle is very open (about 130°).
Stifle: The femoro-tibial angle is very open (about 145°).
Hock: Hockjoint and hock are straight and lean, without dewclaws.
Feet: Round shaped - Pads are pigmented.

GAIT - MOVEMENT: Always very supple (lissom) and with particularly high action at the trot and the walk. The gallop is bouncy. The Azawakh gives a great impression of lightness, even elasticity. The movement is an essential point of the breed.

SKIN: Fine, tight over the whole of the body.

COAT
Hair: Short, fine, down to none on the belly.
Colour: Fawn with flecking limited to the extremities. All shades are admitted from light sable to dark fawn. The head may or may not have a black mask and the blaze is very inconsistent. The coat has a white bib and a white brush at the tip of the tail.
Each of the four limbs must have compulsorily a white "stocking", at least in shape of a trace on the feet. The black brindling is admitted.

SIZED AND WEIGHT
Height at the withers: Dogs: between 64 and 74 cm
Bitches: between 60 and 70 cm
Weight: Dogs: about 20 - 25 kg, Bitches: about 15 - 20 kg.

FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing should be considered a fault and the seriousness of which shall be penalised in exact proportion to its degree.
- General appearance: heavy.
- Body too long.
- Skull too wide.
- Accentuated Stop.
- Hipbones placed distinctly lower than the withers.
- Distinct depigmentation of the nose.

ELIMINATING FAULTS:- Lack of type (in particular when showing a recent crossing with another breed).
- Size out by more than 3 cm from the standard measures.
- Strong non-accidental anatomical deformation.
- Disabling anomaly - not acquired.
- All obvious redhibitory vices.
- Ribs curving in at the base of the chest which thus takes on the look of a "violin box".
- Upper or lower prognathism.
- Harsh or semi-long coat.
- Coat not conforming to the standard.
- Absence of any white marking at the extremity of one or more limbs.
- Light eye: i.e. bird of prey eyes.
- Timid character, panicky or aggressive with attack.

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