Human orientation
Contact with the family can be moderate: the dog is gentle with its own, but restrained with strangers. Actual behavior depends on socialization and experience.
THE PAW CATALOG
Azawakh
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History of the Azawak breed
Origin: Sahel region, Mali and Niger
Azawak originates from the northern borders of Mali and Niger, from the Azawak Valley. Its ancestors are known from rock paintings in the central Sahara, and nomadic Tuareg tribes and other herder-hunters walked with such dogs in the Sahel. The Tuaregs call them "osca". Europeans began to export dogs from about 1968, and the patronage country according to the FCI is France. His work has been preserved: hunting gazelles and hares and guarding the parking lot from predators.
Azawak is a slender Sahel greyhound with long legs, thin skin and short hair. At home, reserved and gentle with his own, mistrustful of strangers. Needs protection from the cold and safe space to run fast.
SizeBig
OriginSahel region, Mali and Niger
Life is nearby
It is a greyhound built to run fast and therefore requires a large safe space to run freely. A short-haired dog with thin skin needs warmth: it freezes in cold weather, so it needs clothes and a soft place to sleep. He is gentle with his family, but suspicious of strangers and stays away.
Walks
A healthy adult Azawakh needs daily walks and a safe sprint in a fenced area. In addition, olfactory tasks and short activities are suitable. The load of the puppies is adjusted with the veterinarian, especially when it comes to fast running and jumping.
Training
Azawak is independent and learns slowly, and force pressure only repels. Training is built on trust, short lessons and a very valuable reward. Calling in the presence of a moving target is unreliable, so run without a leash only in a fenced area.
Care
The short, thin coat needs brushing about once a week, and more often during shedding. Thin skin is easily injured, so keep an eye on scratches. Teeth, claws and ears are checked regularly.
Children
The dog is restrained and does not tolerate rough treatment, and its thin body is easily injured in the game. He is introduced to children gradually, an adult controls the contact, and the dog is left a separate place for food and rest.
Other animals
Hunting origins make small animals potential prey, so care and supervision are required with cats and small animals. Acquaintance with other dogs is carried out gradually.
Peculiarities of the breed
Estimates help compare breeds. For zooaggression, 5/5 means less tendency to aggression towards dogs. The behavior and health of a particular dog depend on many factors.
Training
Low score: the independence of the breed makes training difficult. Patience, trust and consistency are required.
Zooaggression
An average score means that contact with other dogs requires an individual assessment. The attitude towards cats and small animals is assessed separately; the hunting instinct of the greyhound is important to consider.
Health and reproductive risks
There is no comparable survival estimate for the breed in the British cohort used. Among the described breed risks: disorders of the thyroid gland, epilepsy, autoimmune diseases. The examination of the parents is confirmed with the veterinarian.
Ease of care
The coat is combed about once a week, and the skin, ears and claws are examined. An additional hassle is the need for warm clothes and a safe space for running.
Health
Dysfunction of the thyroid gland
Hypothyroidism is mentioned in the breed profile as a possible risk. It is detected by tests, and the need for examinations is determined by a veterinarian.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is also mentioned as a possible risk. Ask the breeder about cases of convulsions in the line, and at the first attacks contact the veterinarian.
Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases are mentioned as a possible risk. Their manifestations are different, so long-term changes in skin, appetite or activity require a veterinary examination.
Photo of the breed
