Azawakh

The Azawakh is a tall, very lean sighthound from West Africa. It is raised across the Sahel in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, and takes its name from the Azawagh Valley in that region. It is best known as the dog of the nomadic Tuareg, who call it Oska, but the Peulh, Bella and Hausa peoples keep it too. In its homeland it guards the camp and hunts gazelle and hare.

History

The breed has ancient origins among the nomads of the Sahara and the Sahel. The harsh country it comes from meant that only the fittest dogs survived, which made the breed rugged and independent. It is more closely related to the Sloughi than to the Saluki.

The Azawakh is still uncommon in Europe and North America. The AKC recognized it in the Hound group in 2019, and it can also be registered with the UKC. It is eligible for lure coursing and open field coursing events.

Appearance

The Azawakh is slim and elegant, with bones and flat, dry muscles showing clearly through thin skin. Males stand 64 to 74 cm and weigh 20 to 25 kg; females stand 60 to 70 cm and weigh 15 to 20 kg. The eyes are almond-shaped. The coat is very short and almost absent on the belly.

The FCI standard allows clear sand to dark fawn, red and brindle, with or without a dark mask, with a white bib, white tail tip and white on all four feet. In Africa the dogs come in a wider range, including blue fawn, grizzle, black, and mostly white particolors, and the American standard accepts any of these colors.

Its light, supple gait is a hallmark of the breed, as is an upright double suspension gallop. It can reach speeds of up to 65 km/h (40 mph).

Temperament

Unlike most sighthounds, the Azawakh’s main job at home is guarding. A dog that senses danger barks to alert the others, and the pack gathers to chase off or attack the intruder. It forms an intense bond with its owner and tends to be reserved with strangers.

Azawakhs are pack dogs with complex social ranks and long memories; they recognize each other after long separations and often sleep in a heap for warmth. When hunting they also work as a pack, tiring the quarry and then knocking it down with their hindquarters.

Care and health

The breed has high energy and great endurance, and makes a good running companion. Many Azawakhs dislike rain and cold weather.

Facts on this page were checked against Wikipedia and may have changed since.