Azawakh: A Short Breed Introduction
I am a traveller in the lone desert
It’s nothing special
I can stand the wind
I can stand the thirst
And the sun
I know how to go and walk
Until the setting of the sun
In the desert, flat and empty, where nothing is given
Tinariwen: Amassakoul N´Ténéré
Long limbs, muscles well-outlined beneath the thin skin, extremely short shining velvet-like fur… elegant elastic gait, the head proud and aloft and a look of graceful almond-shaped eyes, almost contemptuous sometimes, sometimes penetrating directly into your soul. A dog which immediatelly draws anybody´s attention, impossible to be looked upon with indifference, a dog provoking not just due to its unique physical appearance but also due its unique character:
Azawakh
Azawakh, the African sighthound, is a dog of the Touaregs, nomads of the Sahel region in the South-West Sahara desert, which covers areas of todays‘ Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. It is a primitive (in other words natural) breed, in the creation of which man has influenced in a limited manner. For thousands of years, more than by purposeful breeding, this breed has been shaped by harsh natural conditions so that it could survive and fulfil its purpose. It is one of the oldest breeds in the world. In its regions of origin, the Azawakh has been used not just for hunting as other sighthound breeds known today, but unlike the majority of sighthounds, it has also been a guard dog which dauntlesly guarded cattle and settlements of its owners. The Azawakh was the only dog breed which lived in those remote African regions, and because of this, it had to fulfil a variety of functions which, for example in Europe, have been accomplished by a rather large number of specialised dog breeds purposefully created through history by man. This is the reason why characteristics and behavioural features meet in the Azawakh which can hardly be found in such combination and strength in other sighthound breeds. The Azawakh is different. The Azawakh is not just a hunting sighthound.
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An extreme format – a “standing rectangle“ – tucked up belly, almost straight top line and open angulation are distinctive features which make the Azawakh so different from other sighthound breeds ©Ines Blix
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The history of the breeding of the Azawakh outside Africa has only started recently. The first specimens of this breed were imported to Europe at the beginning of seventies to the former Yugoslavia. At that time, some dogs were also imported to France by people who had worked in the Southern Sahara countries. The Azawakh as a breed was unknown in Europe, as well as reliable information concerning the regions of origin were lacking then. Such dogs were considered to be Sloughis and were registered as such. However, the distinctive differences between Azawakhs and Sloughis led the FCI towards a decision to recognise the Azawakh as an independent breed in 1980. In 1981, the first FCI breed standard came into force and the history of the Azawakh outside Africa began.
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Long and elastic gait makes the Azawakh one of the most elegant breeds ever.©Gudrun Büxe
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Owing to its extreme appearance and character, so different from what sighthound lovers are used to, the Azawakh has won both fanciers and opponents in the course of its “European“ history. The former, who have fallen in love with the breed, find this dog fascinating, they consider it a friend showing a complicated and immensely high intellect, independence and loyalty; for them, the Azawakh is an admirable creature the affection of which is not easy to win, however if achieved, it makes a relationship with such a dog really unique. For its admirers, the Azawakh is a dog showing endless tenderness towards its pack members, let them be adults, children or other animals. The latter, for whom the Azawakh is too “different“ and complicated as compared to other sighthound breeds known in the Western world, claim that the independence, reserved behaviour and sometimes even a certain sharpness towards strangers and dogs make the Azawakh an uneasy companion.
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In Africa, the Azawakh is found in a wide range of colours with white markings of different extension, from absent markings up to particolour or almost white. The FCI standard defines the Azawakh permitted colours from sand up to red, black brindling is allowed. The exact extension of white markings is not specified, the Standard just mentions obligatory white markings on all four legs and a white bib on the tailtip. Any dog´s quality should not be judged acccording to its colour, however, this is what usually happens on the show scene. Unfortunately, the acceptance of the different extension of white markings is ruled by different fashion or political pressures. The picture shows a very typical, just 8-month old female of a beautiful format and angulations. ©Gudrun Büxe
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What is the Azawakh like in fact? What can be expected from living with a dog, the development of which seems to stagnate on the verge of domestication, the reactions and behaviour of which are in many ways different from what a current person understands and knows as a typical behaviour of a domesticated dog or a sighthound in general? Why is the Azawakh like it is?
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Brindle colour of the Azawakh. Brindling may be from a hardly seen few stripes up to very dark brindling, sometimes with almost marble-like attractive patterns. ©Jana Vrbacká
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Natural breeds in general come to this world perfect, perfectly equipped for survival in the conditions they come from. If a man transfers such breeds from their homeland to our civilisation, animals find themselves in a world which is strange to them, and if they are not genetically modified by a breeding program, they continue expressing their original characteristics and reactions which, in the civilisation, may appear to be quite different from what they really are.
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A 10-week old puppy. Just as puppies of other primitive breeds, little Azawakhs are very lively and physically fit creatures. Agile and clever puppies are capable of solving any problem, overcoming easily all kinds of ingenious obstacles with which the breeder tries to keep them in the puppy-dedicated areas. ©Mats Persz
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The Azawakh is a very lively dog which carefully monitors and captures everything going on around, reacting to such stimuli in different ways. In the environment from which this dog comes from, the sensitivity and speed of response may be a matter of life and death. The breed shows a different degree of distrust towards the unknown; it tends to avoid the touch of strangers. On the other hand, it calmly approaches people and situations already known, however a certain watchfullness almost always remains in the dog. The instinct of self-preservation is very strong in the Azawakh. It is precisely this instinct which has helped the breed to survive for centuries in rather harsh conditions. As the Azawakh has originally been more of a guard dog than a hunter, loudly announcing any two or four-legged intruders which could put its owners´ belongings and lives in danger, it is an unbribable guardian. During the absence of its owner, it is capable of guarding and protecting its territory (a house, flat, car or its dogbed in a dogshow) in a rather uncompromising manner.
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A 12-year old male. The Azawakh is a rather healthy breed, with a life expectancy being about 13 years. Azawakhs keep quite fit up to the old age; contrary to many cultural breeds, this breed does not suffer from hip or elbow dysplasia. They love to run and play even in their old age. ©Jana Vrbacká
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The Azawakh is a dog with a highly-developed pack instinct. It tends towards the creation of hierarchies and finding its position in the environment in which it lives, let it be the household of its owners or dogs it meets during walks in parks or dog runs. For the Azawakh, clear relationships mean safety, and safety means survival. The Azawakh must rely on its capabilities in its regions of origin, which is why this dog is independent, learns from experience and reacts with an utmost sensitivity to events happening in its pack and around it. The setting of unambiguous rules - and abiding by these - is therefore fundamental for living with the Azawakh. A dog which feels the support of its owner becomes a calm and well-balanced companion able to cope with all kinds of situations which the living in civilisation presents.
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Headstudy of a graceful young female. ©Bettina Schmidt
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A person who has got to know other breeds is usually taken by surprise by the high intelligence of the Azawakh in comparison with other breeds. A positively motivated Azawakh, brought up by a consequent, kind and loving person, is a very fast and eager learner. Besides classic “sighthound“ activities, such as lure coursing or racing, it is possible to undertake lots of other activities and dog sports with the Azawakh, which both the dog and the owner will enjoy: dogtreking, agility, or in case of a clever, open-minded and talented owner, even such sports like dogdancing. The success of such endeavours will depend on the positive motivation of the dog and patience, persistance and most of all, the personality of the owner. The Azawakh loves to share all kinds of activities with its owner, and the communication with this dog takes place on a very high level due to the dog´s sensitivity and high intelligence. The memory of the Azawakh is extremely good – what the dog learns or experiences is never forgotten. It is the task of the owner to find a way of convincing such a clever dog to co-operate. The Azawakh concentrates on many stimuli at the same time, nothing must be left unnoticed, and it is not easy for the dog to focus just on one stimulus at the same time during training. For such a reason, when training an Azawakh, an interesting and variable programme is a must, without repeating exercises many times, and gradually teach the dog to concentrate. The forcing and pressing the dog or even physical punishment would be absolutely counterproductive in an Azawakh. The Azawakh will hardly become a perfectly obedient dog in a sense of a trained utility dog, it will never lose completely its free will and a kind of independence, however it may become a well-educated pleasant companion dog, which may walk unleashed, it can be taught a reliable call command and will not engage in conflicts with other dogs or run away. The living with a well-educated Azawakh will bring its owner a deep, fulfilling joy and a feeling of true happiness.
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A brindle male: Typical representative of the breed of a correct format and angulation ©Bettina Schmidt
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Owing to the fact that the Azawakh is also a hunting dog, its hunting instinct is very well developed. This may represent the only real problem when living with this beautiful dog in the western over-urbanised civilisation, if the owner wishes to give its dog a certain freedom and safety at the same time. Education may gradually help to get such instincts under a certain control, however it can be hardly expected that the dog will lose this instinct completely. Lots of mental and physical activities, especially in young dogs, and a creation of a deep bond with the owner, may help to keep such instincts under control.
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Effervescent elegant gait of a young female.©Luis Moreno
An elegant gait of a young male. Although the Azawakh becomes physically and mentally mature between two and three years of age or later, the fascinating elegance of its gait is breathtaking since a very young age. ©Gudrun Büxe
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The Azawakh is a dog with lots of endurance, capable of fast regeneration; it does not tend to overheat itself (like e.g. Greyhounds), which makes it a perfect match for long walks even in a hot weather. However, in the weather conditions of European winters, the Azawakh should be protected from extreme cold with a suitable coat.
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The Azawakh and its pack. The Azawakh may be avoidant with and difficult to approach for strangers, however, it is very gentle, loving and tender with the members of its pack. The Azawakh is usually very patient with family children and cares for them with the utmost love. ©Willy Anido
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The Azawakh is a unique combination of fragile looks and sensitivity, but also a strong personality, own will and independence. This breed cannot be taken out from the context of its history – it is not possible to expect this dog to behave like breeds purposefully created by man. It is neither a dog which everybody is able to comprehend nor is it suitable for everybody. A person who is capable of taking and understanding the Azawakh for what this dog really is, will find a friend and companion which could be hardly found among other dog breeds. The Azawakh will reward such a person with bringing a piece of Nature, unspoiled and pure, into his/her life, and let him/her have a look in a world, which we, the humans, left and ceased to understand thousands of years ago.
