Azawakh

Breed Profile

The Azawakh, also known as the Sahel Sighthound and the Tuareg Sloughi, is an African Sighthound who, for hundreds of years has been the companion of nomads of the South-Sahara. The breed first appeared in Europe around 1970. Like the Sloughi, Saluki, and Afghan Hound, the breed is most likely of oriental origin. The Azawakh lives with cattle breeders where he is used to protect the cattle, the people and the camps against predators or intruders. The breed also works in packs to hunt, exhausting their prey and then knocking it down with their hindquarters.

In appearance, the Azawakh is particularly leggy and elegant, giving an overall impression of great finesse. His muscles are very apparent under the thin skin and his chest and abdomen may be completely hairless. In temperament, the breed is independent, attentive, alert, reserved with strangers but gentle and can be affectionate with those he knows.

He has a short, fine coat which may be, based on the FCI Standard, any shade of fawn, from light sable to dark fawn, with flecking on the extremities. He may also have a black mask and blaze. He also wears a white bib, has a white brush at the tip of the tail, and all four limbs have white stockings. The UKC Breed Standard accepts additional varying colours, including cream to dark red, white, chocolate, brindle, black, grizzle and parti-colour.
 

Breed Standards

• AKC Breed Standard
• UKC Breed Standard
• The Kennel Club U.K. Breed Standard
• FCI Breed Standard No. 307

Health Issues

Anesthetics — Most members of the Sighthound family may be sensitive to a number of anesthetics. It is very important to discuss this with your Veterinarian in advance of any required surgery. For additional information, see: Anesthesia And Your Saluki from the Saluki Club of America.

Bloat — As with many large breeds and any deep-chested dog, the occurrence of Bloat or Gastric Torsion is a real possibility. If you are not familiar with this condition, it is absolutely necessary to learn about it and know the symptoms — This is a real emergency and a life threatening condition that requires immediate Veterinary attention. See Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) – Bloat in the Health and Nutrition section of Canada’s Guide to Dogs for more information and First Aid for Bloat for an article describing some of the things you can do if you are faced with this situation.

If you are considering the adoption of a Azawakh puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy’s parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the General Information page.)

Additional Health Resources:

• Health and Nutrition — This section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website includes information on several health and nutrition related issues.
• Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) — Providing a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy dogs. CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
• AKC Canine Health Foundation — Working towards developing scientific advances in canine health.
• OFA – Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER)
• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
• Ontario Veterinary College (OVC)
• University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHip)
• HealthGene — HealthGene Corporation is the leading provider of veterinary DNA diagnostic services in Canada.
• Labgenvet — Laboratory of Veterinary Genetics is a Canadian diagnostic laboratory that offers a comprehensive service of DNA tests for veterinary genetic diseases.

Grooming Information

• Grooming — This section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website includes tips, articles and information covering all aspects of dog grooming along with a listing of Groomers from across Canada.

Training Resources

• Training — For training information, see this section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.

Additional Information

• The Azawakh Database
• The Sloughi Compared to the Azawakh and Saluki
• Sighthounds.net — A very informative website dedicated to Sighthounds explaining why a Sighthound thinks and acts differently from other breeds of dogs.
• Lure Coursing Information
• Clubs, Sports & Activities — For information on the many sports and activities you can get involved in with your dog.
• Working Dogs — The Working Dogs section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website provides information and listings of organizations that are involved in various dog jobs, such as Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Protection Dogs, and much more.

*NOTE 1: CHIC – The Canine Health Information Center “is a database of consolidated health screening results from multiple sources. Co-sponsored by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Health Foundation, CHIC works with parent clubs to identify health screening protocols appropriate for individual breeds. Dogs tested in accordance with the parent club established requirements, that have their results registered and made available in the public domain are issued CHIC numbers.” To learn more, visit: www.caninehealthinfo.org

*NOTE 2: The Fédération Cynologique International (FCI) is the World Canine Organization, which includes 91 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 344 breeds, with each being the “property” of a specific country. The “owner” countries write the standards of these breeds in co-operation with the Standards and Scientific Commissions of the FCI, and the translation and updating are carried out by the FCI. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees.