Introduction to the Azawakh Dog Breed
The Azawakh is a unique breed of dog that hails from West Africa. They are known for their exceptional hunting and guarding abilities, as well as their herding skills.
Despite their impressive abilities, the Azawakh has only recently gained recognition as a new dog breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC). In this article, we will take a closer look at the Azawakh, its origin, physical characteristics, and how it is recognized as part of the AKC hound group.
Description and Origin of the Azawakh
The Azawakh has a long history that dates back to the ancient times of the African continent. They were bred by the nomadic Tuareg people who migrated through the Sahara desert with their livestock.
The Azawakh was developed as a versatile dog that could not only guard livestock but also hunt game and protect their owners. The Azawakh is a lean, muscular, and athletic breed with long legs and a slender build.
They are often compared to the Greyhound, Sloughi, and Salukis, which have a similar body structure. They can grow up to 29 inches tall and weigh up to 55 pounds.
The Azawakh is known for its speed and endurance, which is due to its long legs and lean build. The Azawakh is an elegant and exotic breed, with deep chests, prominent hip bones, and visible bones and muscles.
They have a short coat that comes in various colors, such as fawn, beige, black, blue, and brindle. The coat is often smooth and glossy, making the Azawakh an attractive dog to look at.
Recognition of Azawakh as a New Dog Breed
The Azawakh was recently recognized by the AKC as a new dog breed in 2019. The breed was placed in the hound group, which recognizes dogs that were bred for hunting and tracking.
The recognition of the Azawakh as a new breed was a result of the tireless efforts of breeders who had been working to get the breed recognized for over 20 years. The AKC recognized the Azawakh due to its unique features, which distinguished it from other breeds in the hound group.
Conclusion
The Azawakh is a unique breed of dog that has a long history rooted in West Africa. They are known for their exceptional hunting and guarding abilities, as well as their herding skills.
Despite their impressive abilities, the Azawakh only recently gained recognition as a new dog breed by the AKC. Their lean, muscular, and athletic build, coupled with their elegant and exotic features, make the Azawakh an attractive dog to look at and own.
As they continue to gain recognition, the Azawakh is sure to become a popular breed among dog enthusiasts.
Personality and Temperament of the Azawakh
The Azawakh is a highly affectionate and loyal breed, known for their devotion to their family members. They are often referred to as “velcro dogs” due to their tendency to follow their owners around the house and be constantly by their side.
They form strong bonds with their family members and are very protective of them. When it comes to strangers, the Azawakh can be aloof and avoidant.
Early socialization is key to ensure that the Azawakh is comfortable around new people and environments. While they are not aggressive, their instinct to protect their owners can make them wary of strangers.
The Azawakh is a high-energy breed that requires regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. They have exceptional endurance and thrive on long walks or runs.
They are not settled house dogs and require regular activities to keep them occupied and stimulated. The Azawakh also thrives with another playmate, as they enjoy the interaction with other dogs.
Care for the Azawakh
Training and exercise are of utmost importance for the Azawakh. They are highly intelligent and independent breeds, and it is crucial to train them as puppies to ensure proper behavior as they mature.
Early socialization is key to ensuring that the Azawakh is well-adjusted to different people and environments. Positive reinforcement and a gentle approach are the best methods to train an Azawakh, as they are highly affectionate and loyal dogs.
The Azawakh requires regular exercise to keep their high energy levels in check. Long walks or runs are ideal, and they require securely fenced areas to roam around freely.
Playing and interacting with other dogs is a great way to keep them stimulated and prevent boredom. When an Azawakh becomes bored or lethargic, they may develop destructive behavior.
The Azawakh is sensitive to weather conditions, with a lower tolerance for heat and a sensitivity to damp and cold weather. They are also known for being neurotic and can become crate soilers or try to escape confinement.
Proper training and a gentle approach can help mitigate these tendencies. The Azawakh has a fine coat that requires minimal upkeep.
It is important to brush their coat regularly to prevent matting and remove loose hair. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian are important to ensure the Azawakh’s health and well-being.
Some health concerns associated with the breed include hypothyroidism, seizures, masticatory myositis, spondylosis, and rare occurrences of hip dysplasia and bloat. Testing before breeding helps to ensure a low coefficient of inbreeding and promote genetic diversity in the breed.
In conclusion, the Azawakh is a unique and fascinating breed that requires proper training and regular exercise to thrive. They form strong bonds with their owners and are highly affectionate and loyal.
Early socialization is key to ensuring they are comfortable with strangers, while regular activity keeps their high energy levels satisfied. They are sensitive to weather and can become neurotic, requiring proper training and a gentle approach.
Maintaining their health through regular check-ups is also crucial, as are responsible breeding practices that promote genetic diversity.
History and Background of the Azawakh
The Azawakh is an ancient breed of Sighthound that hails from the Saharan Sahel region of West Africa. They were developed in the arid region that stretches between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
The breed gets its name from the Azawakh Valley, which sits between the Sahara Desert and the Sahel region. The Azawakh is one of the free-roaming dogs found in the region, where it has been a treasured breed for centuries.
The Azawakh was developed as a multipurpose breed, serving various functions to the local nomadic tribes. They were primarily used as village and flock guards to protect their owners’ possessions from predators such as hyenas, lions, and jackals.
Their guarding instincts were also used to protect the camps from unforeseen raiders. As hunters, they were often sent out in search of game, especially gazelles, which roamed freely in the region.
In addition, they were used as herding dogs to control and move large herds of livestock across the vast desert landscape. The Azawakh became valued as prized family members by the nomadic tribes, who took great care of the breed.
They were given special food, bedding, and protection because they were considered to be an integral part of their community. The breed was also greatly valued for their beauty, grace, and exceptional hunting and guarding abilities.
Over time, the Azawakh became a breed that was admired outside of the Sahel region. However, it was only in the 1970s that the breed became noticed and began to leave its native land.
Westerners discovered the breed and admired their elegance, intelligence, and guarding instincts. They found that the Azawakh was well suited to living in hot and dry climates, and their high energy and endurance made them excellent companions for active people.
In the 1980s, a small number of Azawakhs began to be imported into Europe and America from a breeding stock in France. Since that time, the breed has gained recognition worldwide.
The Azawakh’s unique combination of beauty and function has made it an increasingly popular companion breed in the United States and other Western countries. In conclusion, the Azawakh’s history and background are rooted in the Saharan Sahel region of West Africa.
Developed as sighthounds, the Azawakh served various functions for local nomadic tribes, including guarding villages and flocks, hunting game, and herding livestock. The breed is valued as prized family members in its native land, and their beauty, elegance, and guarding instincts have made them increasingly popular in the Western world.
The Azawakh is an ancient breed of dog with its roots in the Saharan Sahel region of West Africa. Developed as multipurpose hounds, the Azawakh took on roles such as guarding villages and flocks, hunting game, and herding livestock.
Their guarding instincts, endurance, and high energy levels make them excellent companions for active people and prized family members in their native land. The Azawakh is valued for its beauty and grace, and its unique combination of function and form has increasingly made it a popular breed worldwide.