Azawakh
Temperament:
The African greyhound is characterized by its slender and elegant appearance. The Azawakh is particularly popular with the Tuareg nomads. It can withstand the heat of the desert and has a strong hunting instinct. At the same time, it is very loyal to its owner. Its reliability and condition make it the ideal hunting companion.
Characteristics
The Azawakh is one of the original sighthounds. It has a very elegant appearance. It usually reaches a height of 60 to 73 cm at the withers. The slender body of this breed weighs a maximum of 25 kg.
Due to the thin connective tissue, the bones and joints of the Azawakh are clearly visible under the skin. The body is very slim and athletic. The legs appear very muscular and wiry.
The elegant head is very long and the muzzle is pointed. The eyes are almond-shaped and mostly brownish. The ears are very fine and slender. They are triangular and drooping. The Azawakh's tail is also thin and long.
The coat color of the Azawakh usually varies between yellow-brown, red-brown and brown. It often has a white patch on the chest. The coat is very short and fine. At the same time, it is very soft and shiny. The Azawakh has hardly any hair on its belly. Due to its African origins, the Azawakh loves the sun and warmth. It is very resistant to heat.
The character of this sighthound breed is very gentle and affectionate. It is often reserved and skeptical towards strangers. This is why they often appear very distant towards new people. At the same time, the Azawakh is very independent and self-reliant.
It can often be difficult to break the ice with this breed of greyhound. However, once the Azawakh has decided on an owner, it becomes very trusting. It is a loyal and reliable companion, and not just in the desert. The bond with its owner is very strong.
His lively nature makes it difficult for many people to train him. It is therefore advisable to have experience with dogs if you want to get an Azawakh. Training them requires patience and sensitivity. However, once trained successfully, the Azawakh is very obedient.
The slender athlete is generally very sensitive. Its high intelligence makes it easy to train. It is also very persistent and resilient. The character of the Azawakh is very contradictory. On the one hand, it has a strong hunting instinct and courageously defends its territory. On the other hand, it is very cuddly and needs its daily dose of love.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
At first glance, the Azawakh appears to be a dog that doesn't eat much. But this is not the case. It should not be starved just to maintain its slim appearance. Regular exercise is important to keep him in shape.
The Azawakh's diet should be of high quality and balanced. Meat should make up the largest proportion.
Dried meat strips are healthy snacks for between meals. You can also make these yourself at home from lean meat.
If you have just fed your Azawakh, you should not exercise him too much. This can lead to a stomach torsion.
The Azawakh is very active and moves around a lot. Therefore, make sure that the water bowl is always full.
Health & Care
The Azawakh's short coat does not require much grooming. Dead skin particles and fallen hair can be removed with a simple brush. A massage brush or a rubber glove with nubs is also recommended. Even if the grooming ritual for this breed is rather short, take some time for it. Prolonged contact in a calm environment will help to create a bond more quickly.
The short coat also has the advantage that it doesn't get so dirty. Frequent bathing is therefore not necessary. Brushing is usually sufficient. Dirt can also be removed with a damp cloth.
Dogs have a skin flora that regenerates very slowly. You should therefore bathe your Azawakh every eight to ten weeks at most. Otherwise his skin can dry out. This has a negative effect on the coat. A mild dog shampoo is recommended for bathing. It should be moisturizing and nourishing. Please do not use hygiene products for humans.
The Azawakh has relatively long, drooping ears. This means that they are hardly ventilated. This can lead to a build-up of bacteria. The ears can then become infected. You should therefore clean your furry friend's ears regularly. All you need is an ear cleaning solution.
The Azawakh's claws are often worn out due to its sporting activity. Nevertheless, you should check them regularly and trim them if necessary. Special claw scissors are recommended for this.
Suitable accessories
The Azawakh is very active and needs a lot of exercise. Its intelligence should also be constantly challenged. There are many agility toys for this. You can really work him out by running.
The best way to do this is on a dog track. But it doesn't necessarily have to be a race.
A strong lead is suitable for walks. If necessary, you can also buy a long drag line.
Origin & History
The origin of the Azawakh lies in Africa. More precisely, it comes from Mali. The fur nose has probably been depicted on cave paintings for thousands of years. The African greyhound owes its name to its home region. The valley is also called Azawakh and is located in the catchment area of the middle Niger.
This sighthound breed has been a loyal companion of nomads for centuries. The Tuareg nomads in particular appreciate its hunting instinct and reliability. In the arid regions, the Azawakh hunts antelopes, small hares and gazelles. A white chest patch is even considered by the Tuareg to increase its value.
Other dogs are rarely kept in the Tuareg region. Hardly any other breed can withstand the heat and is so active at the same time. The Azawakh only found its way to Europe in the 1970s. Initially, it was still rare in Europe. Initial breeding attempts and the spread of the breed in the 1980s failed.
Today, however, it has established itself in the sighthound family. The patronage over the breeding of the African Greyhound is now even in France.
Cynologists consider the Azawakh to be a very pure breed. Over the centuries, there is said to have been no crossbreeding with other breeds. Where it is used as a hunting dog, it is regarded as a symbol of prosperity.
