Contents
- 1 Overview of Azawakhs
- 2 Breed
- 3 Coat
- 4 Energy
- 5 Grooming
- 6 Health
- 7 Life expectancy
- 8 Personality
- 9 Social
- 10 Temperament
- 11 Training
- 12 Are they child friendly?
- 13 Conclusion: Why the Azawakh?
- 14 Do Azawakh Dogs Make Good Family Pets?
- 15 Do Azawakhs Like Cats?
- 16 Have any questions about health in your breed?
- 17 How active is this dog?
- 18 How Do You Groom an Azawakh?
- 19 How Do You Train an Azawakh?
- 20 How Much are Azawakh Puppies for Sale?
- 21 How it feels to live with Azawakh dogs?
- 22 Is your dog a Azawakh?
- 23 Looking for a puppy?
- 24 What Do Azawakhs Look Like?
- 25 What is the Azawakh Temperament?
- 26 What kind of dogs are part of your family?
- 27 What Makes an Azawakh Unique?
- 28 What kind of temperament do Azawakh Dogs have?
- 29 What’s your primary interest in dogs?
- 30 Where Did the Azawakh Come From?
- 31 History of Azawakhs
Overview of Azawakhs
sand to red, brindle, black mask, overlay, irish white markings (white
socks, throat patch, blaze, tip of tail).
© Copyright 1997 D.
Breed
Additionally, obedience training strengthens the bond between hound and owner.Also, early training, make the adult dog more receptive to the desires of his owner.Always remove it immediately following the training session.An Azawakh, broken in spirit, is a sad sight indeed!And it is equally important that the breeder ask YOU lots of questions.As previously mentioned, many Azawakhs can be reliable off lead.Ask about the puppy buying contract, whether it is an outright purchase or a permanent or temporary co-ownership.Ask the breeder what health testing was performed on the sire/dam of the litter and ask to see the results and have them explained to you.Ask yourself if this is a person you would want to be “friends” with, as you are considering making a 12-15 year commitment, and as a new Azawakh owner will need help and guidance from the pup’s breeder.Azawakh puppies generally range in price from $1000-2500 depending on the breeding and breeder involved.Azawakhs are not a dog for every person.Breeder Selection Criteria
This subject was covered a bit in a previous section, however, it cannot be stressed enough to buy from a breeder you feel comfortable with.Come equipped with lots of questions.Don’t think you will just buy the dog and never hear from the breeder again.Extremely dominant type training, such as alpha rollovers are NOT the training method of choice for this breed.Find a vet that is open to all modalities of healing.Finding a vet open to all modalities gives many more options in the treatment of your Azawakh.However, choke collars should NEVER be left on your dog while unattended.If the breeder is a reputable, caring person, you will be encouraged to call or write with pictures and progress reports.If the conditions that the puppies have been raised or the breeder raises concerns in your “gut”, run, don’t walk away from that breeder!In terms of equipment, most pups and adults do fine with a martingale style sighthound collar, or a nylon choke collar.It is important to ask the breeder you are buying a puppy from lots of questions.It is sometimes possible to acquire one as a pet on a spay/neuter contract for less and occasionally, young adult rescues or returns are available.It’s important when choosing a vet to find one experienced with sighthounds.Many “holistic” vets also practice western medicine and they are usually a good choice.Many breeders will not sell a dog “outright”.Many vets abhor anything natural or holistic.Prong collars or pinch collars are not necessary for training an Azawakh.Puppy buyers should visit the breeder’s home if at all possible to see the facilities and how the pups and adults are housed and what condition those facilities are in.Research the breed thoroughly before you make up your mind that an Azawakh is what you want.Rough treatment and training can result in a hound that is either broken in spirit or very aggressive and impossible to handle.The Azawakh has an amazing amount of dignity and must be treated with mutual respect and honor.The breeder may want to visit your home sometime in the future or before the dog is placed with you.The breeder will want to make your transition into the world of Azawakhs as easy as possible by, perhaps letting you know of other Azawakh owners in your area, or by giving you a subscription to the Azawakh club newsletter or by encouraging you to join and participate in events in your area that allow Azawakhs.The hounds generally do well in a structured obedience class environment with care given to the training methods employed.The prospective puppy buyer may be asked to fill out a questionnaire.These classes afford the opportunity for socialization with people and other dogs and can be an invaluable tool in the upbringing of the puppy.They respond very well to gentle, yet FIRM corrections and are usually very food motivated.This aspect makes the breed an enjoyable companion for people who like to hike and camp or just hang out!Training started in a puppy kindergarten class is advisable in young puppies.Training
The Azawakh is usually trained fairly easily as long as gentle methods are employed.Veterinarians: Vet choice is a very important area.With the proliferation of Greyhound adoptions around the world, finding vets with sighthound experience is much easier than it used to be.You are entering into a relationship with this person that could last 12-15 years and beyond.
Coat
The short, smooth Azawakh coat comes in a variety of colors, including clear sand to dark red, white, black, blue, gray, brindle, grizzle, parti-color and all shades of brown, including chocolate.The stomach may be hairless.
Energy
The Azawakh is a member of the AKC's 'Hound Group' with a temperament that is often described as loyal, independent and deeply affectionate.
Grooming
Combined with its strong prey drive, the Azawakh owner must commit to long walks or runs on a leash.Grooming the Azawakh is simple, but exercise requires more owner input.The ideal Azawakh owner will also ensure their dog has regular access to a secure paddock for running exercise.With its desert hunter genetic inheritance, the Azawakh has both endurance and stamina.
Health
(DK) I’ve used dogs of African descent from the beginning.(RM) I believe very strongly in using the direct African dogs.I also feel that the FCI standard should include all the colors found in the Sahel and the requirements for white markings be dropped, to allow for all color patterns with or without white.I feel it’s very important to breed with the original dogs found in the Sahel for a more calm, rational and original temperament.I would prefer that the dogs in Europe and the US retain more of their African phenotype and I feel that the inclusion of the direct African dogs is very important to the breed, especially to improve the general health of the Azawakh.In America, we have very little access to different lines.In the US, the American Azawakh Association uses the FCI standard, but we accept all the colors found in the Sahel.Kel Simoon Elkem (blue) & TagalasLimiting the gene pool to only shades of sand to red and black brindle is detrimental to the breed, in my opinion.She has produced two nice litters for us and is very successful in lure coursing.She’s also a very sweet and kind little girl, as many Africans seem to be.The African dogs live as part of multiple family communities where aggression would not be tolerated.The African imports and their descendants allowed us an opportunity to avoid doubling up genetically on some of the same health and temperament problems that had developed here.We have a little female, Tagalas, whose mother was actually bred in Mali, though she was born in Alaska.
Life expectancy
As most breeds are, Azawakhs are also more sensitive and prone to some health conditions.Azawakhs are generally healthy dogs and have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.They also can suffer from seizures.They are prone to hip dysplasia, Wobbler disease (a disease of the cervical spine), Demodectic Mange that causes skin irritation and requires immediate treatment.
Personality
The Azawakh is mainly kept for protection of livestock, and so its personality has never been developed for use as a companion pet.
Social
Azawakhs raised in kennel situations, with little socialization, are typically very shy.They are usually nervous, frightened and may freeze in a new situation They may snap or bite.They can be made to adjust, one step at a time, with a lot of time and patience.Well socialized Azawakhs can also be frightened, but adjust more quickly to the new situation, and often watch and trust their owner’s reaction to a given circumstance.
Temperament
(DK) Of course, most breeders breed for what they find attractive in their interpretation of the standard.(RM) I don’t believe there is a simple answer to this question.And on a single breeder’s scales, would it be advisable to seek an inner homogeneity, a sort of kennel trademark?As I stated earlier, you must have a certain format or phenotype or you don’t have a breed.For this reason, diminishing the disparities is impossible.However, I don’t feel that one breeder should diverge wildly from the standard or seek to have the standard changed to fit their dogs.I don’t really work at a specific type, but I guess overall, it’s easy to find our dogs, or descendants of our dogs, since I work along the same bloodlines.In order to diminish this dishomogeneity, we would basically have to choose one line and have all the world agree that that this line represents the ultimate Azawakh.In this regard, how do you handle this in your kennel?It would appear that they occur outside of Africa as the result of individual interpretation of the standard.Kel Simoons Diallo & DevaSome judges seem to like them very well, other judges do not.The two most important things with which I would like to stamp my breed program are Azawakhs that are temperamentally sound and healthy, yet also maintain the essential essence of the breed.Then, we would have to make all the breeders line-breed on that line.There are some variations within a phenotype that gives each dog or line a unique appearance.These variations occur in Africa primarily as a product of function being the number one priority.We have not yet been able to agree on the shape of the chest or the planes of the head.
Training
Azawakh are a striking, loyal, affectionate and playful.Azawakhs are intelligent, sensitive and independent, so early training and socialization is extremely important.They are not, however, recommended for first-time dog owners.With proper training and commitment, Azawakh are wonderful companions and a great fit for active families and owners looking for the perfect running buddy.
Are
they child friendly?
No, Azawakhs are not child-friendly and does not like to play with kids.He is not friendly with the older children too who like to spend their time playing with video games or reading .However, they can be a good companion dogs as long as someone in the family provides the exercises he needs.
Conclusion: Why the Azawakh?
The gracious
Azawakh temperament makes this breed a remarkably popular one despite being
rare.She is a great choice for small families, as well as those with older,
less-active children.
Do Azawakh Dogs Make Good Family Pets?
For the right family, this breed can be a great family pet.Azawakhs are friendly, intelligent, and affectionate dogs that love to spend plenty of time with their people.
Do Azawakhs Like Cats?
Looking to get an Azawakh and need to know if Azawakh Dogs get along cats or how do you introduce an Azawakh to a cat in the house?
Well, Azawakh Dogs score out of 5 in the scale of dog breeds that are good with cats.
Have any questions about health in your breed?
If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed.They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.
How active is this dog?
Azawakhs are also loaded with energy.They need a lot of exercise.They can run for miles.As sight hunters in an arid country, they were bred to be able to chase down fast-moving animals like hares and rabbits at high speed, even at temperatures approaching the hundred-degree mark.They were also bred to be working dogs, obedient to their handlers, and able to learn a job.This is still built into them, and they do well at skills training and field sports.
How Do You Groom an Azawakh?
The Azawakh
needs a weekly combing and the occasional bath to keep her coat looking its
best.Her fur is short and skin thin, so there is very little to do when it
comes to her coat.
How Do You Train an Azawakh?
Training an
Azawakh is fairly simple, and you should start begin training the pup while she
is still very young.In fact, you can start training your Azawakh as young as
eight weeks old; waiting until she is, say, two months old may be too late.
How Much are Azawakh Puppies for Sale?
The average Azawakh price ranges from $800 to $1,000.However, the total annual cost for taking care of a dog is a little higher for any breed.
How
it feels to live with Azawakh dogs?
The Azawakh dogs bond strongly to a single person in a family and with him, it is very affectionate, gentle and playful.Puppies must be placed in homes at an early age if they are to adapt.Dogs in new homes may find it difficult to adjust to the change.They are satisfied to be with the people and don’t seek a lot of physical contacts.
Is your dog a Azawakh?
You can use our Dog Scanner app to find out whether your dog is a Azawakh.
Looking for a puppy?
Looking for an Azawakh? Explore our list of puppies and rescue dogs for sale near you.
What Do Azawakhs Look Like?
Azawakhs can have a variety of colors and markings including red, clear sand to fawn, brindled, parti-color, blue, black, and brown.They may also have black or white markings on their legs.Azawakhs are also tall and have long legs that give them the ability to run far and fast.Because these dogs are so lean, it’s not uncommon to be able to see their bone structure and musculature through their skin.To the untrained eye, these dogs might look underfed or malnourished, but this is actually how they should look! The average Azawakh weighs 35-55 pounds, which also aids in their ability to run fast.Similar to Greyhounds and Whippets, they’ll need a warm coat if you’re heading out for a walk in colder weather.
What is the Azawakh Temperament?
If you’re not familiar with the Azawakh, these dogs are lean, tall, and elegant.Often confused for a Greyhound or Whippet, Azawakhs tend to be loyal dogs.They’re independent and deeply affectionate and would make a great companion or guardian for your family.
What kind of dogs are part of your family?
Help us get you the most relevant information.
What Makes an Azawakh Unique?
The Azawakh is a member of the AKC's 'Hound Group' with a temperament that is often described as loyal, independent and deeply affectionate.The Azawakh has a demeanor best described as 'Friendly'.When it comes to grooming needs, the Azawakh requires a weekly good brushing and sheds occassionally.In regards to training, you can expect the Azawakh to be often independent with a decent level of excitement or energy.The Azawakh can be expected to live 12 to 15 years if they receive proper excercise and an Azawakh dog food diet that keeps their weight between 44-55 pounds (male), 33-44 pounds (female).The Azawakh is generally considered tall with a height of between 25 inches and 29 inches for males and 23 inches and 27.5 inches for females.
What
kind of temperament do Azawakh Dogs have?
The
temperament of Azawakh dogs tell that they are faithful,gentle and
affectionate.They often bond with one family member rather than dividing their
affection equally.Because of their unique dispositions, Azawakh do not change
owners with ease and can be extremely difficult to rehome.Some are trying to
breed more stable and approachable dogs to increase their popularity and
reliability.
What’s your primary interest in dogs?
Help us get you the most relevant information.
Where Did the Azawakh Come From?
Azawakhs are sighthounds originating from West Africa.Their long and lean bodies come from their ancestors’ ability to hunt prey swiftly through the desert.These hounds have a thousand-year history, and although they look gentle, these are durable dogs whose ancestors had keen sight and speed to hunt prey in the Sahara.