Doggy Of The Week – Azawakh

This reserved, peaceful, and stunning doggy is from Africa’s Sahel region, a desert region where he accompanied nomads and guarded their tents. Because Azawakhs get so close to their people, rehoming them is difficult.

The Azawakh is a Sighthound native to the Sahara Desert in West Africa. The Azawakhs were raised initially to protect the livestock of their nomadic pastoralist owners, especially the Tuareg. They were particularly valued for their friendship and hunting abilities, and they frequently worked in groups. Due to their breeding, they are well adapted to life in severe desert settings.

Their name is derived from the Azawakh Valley, located in the desert between Mali and Niger, and means “Land of the North.”

A Yugoslavian diplomat was given a male Azawakh by the nomadic people with whom he had built a bond in 1970, and he then bartered for a female Azawakh. These were the first of the kind to be exported, according to legend. French civil officials and military forces stationed in the region then shipped more doggies. They were then introduced throughout the rest of Europe and into the United States.

They are closely related to the Sloughi, another African Sighthound, dubbed the Sloughi-Azawakh when they were initially transported, and they were only known as Azawakhs until 1980.

Physical Characteristics
The Azawakh is a tall, medium-sized doggy breed with long legs and a slender physique. At first glance, they resemble Greyhounds; nevertheless, they are more closely related to Sloughi and Salukis, which are also hounds.

Male Azawakhs are between 25 and 29 inches tall, while females are a few inches shorter. Females weigh between 33 and 44 pounds, and males weigh between 44 and 55 pounds.

In their native West Africa, these canines are developed for speed, which comes in handy while hunting fast-moving species like rabbits and gazelles.

Red, brown, black, gray, and white are standard Azawakh colors.

Common Health Problems

Azawkhs are usually thought to be a healthy and robust breed, and however, because of their rarity, there is a small gene pool. To lessen the chances of your puppy contracting an inheritable disease, look for a breeder who does health checks on both parents.

The following are some of the conditions they are known to develop:

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is underactive, causing a drop in metabolic rate.

Azawakhs are prone to unexpected, seemingly spontaneous seizures due to idiopathic epilepsy. The intensity and frequency of recurrence can vary. Medications and adjustments in lifestyle and food can often be used to manage them, depending on their type successfully.

Auto-immune illnesses: The breed is susceptible to many diseases caused by an aberrant immunological reaction. These factors can cause demodectic Mange, muscle wasting, and even hypothyroidism.

Nutrition and Diet

It is critical to provide a high-quality, portion-controlled diet to any doggy. Because the breed is inherently thin, it is tempting to overfeed them to “fatten them up.” Just because their ribs are visible does not mean they are obese. Obesity can develop if you overfeed them, which can lead to a slew of other issues and put a burden on their sensitive joints. If you’re unsure, see your veterinarian or a trained canine nutritionist.

Conclusion:

Azawakhs are proud and self-sufficient. Positive reinforcement approaches work well with them while punishing or harsh methods cause them to shut down. They will learn quickly and readily if you are firm, fair, and provide the appropriate motivation.