Azawakh

As a sighthound, the Azawakh wants one thing above all: to run! Find out everything about the behavior, character, activity and exercise needs, training, and care of the Azawakh dog breed in the profile.

The Azawakh is the dog of the nomads, who used the sight hunter for hounding but also used it as a display animal. It is also called Tuareg greyhound. It got its name from its region of origin, the valley of the Azawakh in the middle Niger basin. He is an African greyhound of the Afro-Asian model. He only came to Europe around 1970, while he can look back on a centuries-long tradition among the nomads of southern Sahara.

General Appearance

The Azawakh is very high-legged and has an elegant appearance. The skeleton and muscles are clearly visible under the thin, dry connective tissue. Its body resembles a superscript rectangle. The head is long and fine, the large, almond-shaped eyes are dark or amber. The thin, flat ears hang down and are triangular in shape. The thin tail is long and slender. The Azawakh wears tan hair short.

Behavior and character

The Azawakh has a lively, alert personality and are highly intelligent, but they often display a certain detachment, particularly towards strangers. He likes to act independently and independently and sometimes seems quite unapproachable, but once he has “chosen” a person, he is quite loving and gentle and then enjoys the cuddles. However, he can be quite cuddly towards his humans. In accordance with its destiny among the nomads, it is quite territorial.

Need for employment and physical activity

As a sighthound, the Azawakh wants one thing above all: to run! As a sight hunter, however, this breed has a pronounced hunting instinct. Nevertheless, one should give the Azawakh the opportunity to pursue his great urge to move without a leash. This works well on a dog track, for example. It is not necessary for the dog to take part in performance tests, many clubs also offer training sessions without the greyhounds having to start. Here the Azawakh can optimally work out.

Upbringing

The Azawakh is considered to be not so easy to train – with the consistency that is known to be always necessary for dog training, it still works quite well if you start with it as a puppy. Good socialization of the dog is important, so it is best to visit a suitable puppy playgroup early on. The Azawakh should not be spared from environmental stimuli, and it is also important for the sometimes quite territorial dog to learn that strangers keep coming into the house, as due to its past it often feels the need to protect the “camp”. If you train this breed with love, without violence, but with patience, you will achieve good results.

Maintenance

The very short coat does not require much care. Regular brushing should still be on the plan if only to check the coat for parasites.

Disease Susceptibility / Common Diseases

Like all greyhound breeds, very healthy bones.

Did you know?

The Azawakh has a most elegant gait. His springy trot and his leaping canter are impressive.