Other names/Nicknames:
- Tuareg Sloughi
Country/Date of origin:
- Mali
- 1000 AD
Height:
- 23 to 29 inches
Weight:
- 37 to 55 pounds
Personality:
- Aloof and haughty.
- Not friendly to strangers.
- Clean in its personal habits, almost to the point of being cat-like.
History:
The nomadic Tuareg tribes of the southern Sahara have a unique sighthound breed, the Azawakh. In the traditional role of the sighthound, the Azawakh chases down gazelles and other fleet game animals and slows them down so that mounted hunters can dispatch the quarry. The Azawakh, which is related to the Sloughi and the smooth Saluki, can be distinguished from by its distinctive red coloration and white socks, and the fact that it has a shorter body. In its native Mali, the dog is used as a guard as well. In 1970, some examples of the breed were taken to France and have attracted a small but dedicated following for the breed.
Body Type:
- A short-coupled dog of the greyhound family.
- Pendant ears hug the cheeks and neck.
- Long tail is not altered.
- The backskull is wider than that of the other running dogs.
- Swellings on the side of the face are a breed hallmark.
Coat:
- Short, thin coat is very glossy.
- Color is red, ranging from light to dark or brindle.
- Dogs should have white on legs, or at least white socks.
- Minimal grooming.
Health and Wellness:
- Skin allergies.
- Sensitivities to anesthesia and several insecticides common in flea and tick preparations.
What you should know:
- Pronounce ahza-wok.
- One of the fastest running dogs, it has been clocked at 40 miles per hour.
- The Azawakh’s instincts are to chase and knock down anything that moves fast.
- Finding a puppy in this breed will take some looking.
