Azawakh: character, education, health, price

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 With its graceful silhouette and superb fawn coat, the Azawakh immediately imposes its dignified personality. Zoom in on this sighthound that is both smart and independent.

Azawakh in brief

  • Other name(s): Tuareg Greyhound, Sloughi Touareg, South Saharan Greyhound, Oska
  • Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years
  • Females weigh 15 to 20 kg, and males weigh 20 to 25 kg.
  • Size: 60 to 70 centimeters for females, 64 to 74 centimeters for males
  • Silhouette: slender
  • Hair: short
  • Dress: fawn
  • Character: lively, attentive, distant
  • Origin: Mali and Niger's northern borders
  • Type: graioid
  • Group: 10 (Greyhounds), section 3 (Short-haired Greyhounds, without working trial)

History of the Azawakh breed

The Azawakh takes its name from the African valley of the same name, located between Mali and Niger. It has been used for centuries by nomadic tribes south of the Sahara (Tuaregs, Peuls, and Dahoussahaqs) to catch fast game, such as gazelles, hares, or ostriches. It also embodies an essential companion in daily domestic life, sharing the camp's life and protecting it from predators (hyenas, jackals, and lions). Its grace and elegance even earned it the title of ceremonial animal in certain social spheres.

The ethnologist Gervais Coppé discovered the breed in 1967, during a trip to Africa. Immediately seduced by this rare and distinguished animal, he brought a couple back to France, who gave birth to their first litter in 1968. The puppies, however, were registered under the name Sloughi due to a lack of official recognition of the breed. It was not until 1981 that the Azawakh entered the FCI lists.

Oska, its name in the Tuareg language, designates both a greyhound and an animal worthy of praise.

The Azawakh breed's physical characteristics

The Azawakh has a leaping profile, which is necessary for pursuing African game while maintaining outstanding finesse. Thus, we can see its bone structure and musculature under fine and dry tissues. In practice, its limbs are long, its hips clearly prominent, its withers well out, its far short, and its chest high, quite narrow, with regularly arched ribs. Attached low, its long tail is tapered and often has a white brush at its end. This sighthound then has short, ultrafine hair, or even non-existence on the belly. As for its coat, it can come in all shades of gray, from light gray to mahogany. The brindles, if they are present, must be exclusively black; the standard also specifies the permitted types of spotting. A well-output neck supports a long, chiseled head with a very slight stop. Finally, the Tuareg Greyhound reveals fine drooping ears in the shape of a triangle with a rounded tip. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark in color, sometimes amber, with a well-pigmented black or dark brown eyelid edge.

Character of Azawakh

The Tuareg Sloughi's haughty, lordly appearance goes hand in hand with its dignified temperament. Wise and quiet at home, it is nevertheless surprisingly lively outside, even playful with its peers. It is loyal and affectionate to its master, as well as gentle with its friends. The Azawakh, on the other hand, remains much more reserved, even frankly distrustful of unknown individuals. Raised in unusual and sometimes difficult living conditions, the breed has inherited a strong character without being excessively stubborn. Finally, he is independent and intelligent.

Azawak enjoys ideal living conditions.

Apartment living is not recommended for this great athlete, although he can accommodate it. The South Saharan Greyhound will much prefer a house with a large fenced yard because its tendencies to run away require a secure environment. He will also need to let off steam in a park or in the wonderful outdoors, where he will be delighted to romp freely, jump, and play with his master and other dogs. On the other hand, he is not the best playmate for children. The Azawakh will also need to be able to run daily during long walks, during his owner's jogging sessions, or in a PVL (Lure Sighting) club, a discipline in which he excels. Not very barking, this breed is discreet within the home, preferring to rest quietly with his master or exercise his talents as a guard dog. On the other hand, if he gets bored or is left alone for too long, beware of destruction! Its strong hunting instinct is not compatible with the presence of a cat, unless the two species have grown up together, as well as with small animals. Furthermore, its immense energy remains difficult to assume for an elderly person with a sedentary lifestyle. Finally, if you have a garden, remember that the Azawakh will be pleased to dig holes in it!

Azawakh Education

The assertive, proud, and independent character of the Oska dog makes it a pet that needs to be educated very early, but that it would be futile to try to train. Extremely clever, this breed quickly understands what is asked of it but will only cooperate if the instructions given make sense to it. Positive reinforcement methods are therefore recommended with this sensitive dog, who cannot stand injustice and must therefore not be subjected to any form of brutality. This is the reason why adopting an Azawakh is not recommended for a novice owner, who could have difficulty understanding and managing it on a daily basis.

The Azawakh is groomed and maintained.

Simple and straightforward to maintain, this African greyhound will be satisfied with a thorough weekly brushing. This last ritual will suffice to ensure the skin's good health while maintaining its short coat's shine. If the dog gets dirty on a wilderness expedition, baths are advisable but not required. Remember to use a shampoo suitable for greyhounds in order to preserve their delicate skin. As with other breeds, it is essential to regularly inspect and clean its eyes, ears, and pads in order to avoid any risk of infection. Finally, you can brush its teeth to remove tartar buildup and cut its claws in the event that they do not wear down naturally.

Azawakh's major health problems

Robust and resistant by nature, the Azawakh greyhound does not tolerate the cold. It must therefore be kept indoors in the event of a drop in temperature and only go out once covered with a dog coat or fleece. A padded cushion is also recommended for the comfort of its bony body at home. On the other hand, it tolerates heat very well, thanks to the desert climate of its region of origin.

Despite having no disease predisposition, the breed's owner should monitor its health and take it to the vet on a regular basis.

Feeding the Azawakh

In Africa, the Tuareg Greyhound is used to receiving its share of game and sharing its owners' rations. It follows a low-protein diet, based more on cereals and goat's milk. So be careful of digestion problems that could arise from industrial food! This is of course authorized, but will preferably be recommended by the breeder and/or the dog's veterinarian. In addition, it is recommended to divide the Azawakh's daily ration into three or four small meals because it tends to be gluttonous. These should also be taken in a calm environment and away from periods of physical activity to avoid bloating. Naturally slender, the breed is not prone to obesity.

Azawakh Price

The average price for an Azawakh puppy registered with the LOF is between 1000 and 1500 euros. This amount then varies according to the dog's age, sex, and lineage, as well as the breeding characteristics chosen for adoption.

Because the breed is quite uncommon in Europe, you should expect some delay when looking for a puppy.

Anecdotes around Azawakh

Before being a hunter, the Azawakh remains a true long-distance runner, capable of charging into the most arid areas. Its average speed is around 40 km/h, with peaks of almost 60 km/h!

As we have seen previously, the breed excels in sight hunting for fast prey; this discipline has however been banned in France for greyhounds since May 3, 1844.

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