Azawak: Dog Breed Description, Temperament and Care Basics

The dog is a unique animal that has been walking alongside a person for several centuries. These animals have become for their owners not only guards and assistants in the hunt, but also true and loyal friends who are ready to protect the owner from the impending threat at the cost of their own lives. The high demand for and popularity of dogs led to the appearance of a huge number of breeds, which differ in size, color, character traits and manner of keeping.

The oversaturation of this market has led to the fact that many dog ​​breeders no longer want to acquire known species that can be seen in every yard. Buyers are increasingly interested in exotic animals that can surprise guests and highlight the status of the family. The African Hound is one of the rare and very expensive breeds.which certainly deserves the attention of all dog lovers.

Azawak belongs to African borzoi dog breeds, which for hundreds of years have been faithful assistants to the inhabitants of the African tropical savannah. The roots of the origin of this breed go back a few centuries back to the times of the life of ancient African tribes, information about which practically has not reached our days. Due to the long and painstaking work of archaeologists, historians have been able to collect initial information about Azawakh and make a general description of the breed bit by bit.

The homeland of a hardy, intelligent and fast animal is the borderland between the Sahara Desert and Sudan - the Sahel semi-desert. For the nomadic tribes of this region, the dog became not only a loyal friend and a symbol of prosperity, but also an assistant in the hunt and protection of the territory. Due to the difficult climatic conditions of the region, the breed and the inability to leave more than 2 puppies out of one litter was not popular and numerous. The following factors also had a negative impact on numbers:

• difficulties in grocery supply;
• the presence of dangerous and poisonous reptiles and insects;
• aggressive behavior of predators of the desert.

Only in 1980, French travelers brought several Aboriginal puppies to European territory, which immediately gained the attention of professional dog trainers. A year later, the African greyhound received official recognition of the International Dog Association. Since 1990, breeders began to work actively to increase the number of Azawakh and its distribution throughout the world. The maximum height of an adult animal is 75 cm, and the weight can reach up to 30 kg. A fast animal can reach a speed of up to 60 km per hour.

A distinctive feature of the African animal is straight skeleton lines. The cranium has a long, narrow and flat shape with a powerful and developed jaw and unexpressed superciliary arches. Eyeballs are almond-shaped. Tall and muscular chest has a small width, but significantly elongated in height. Low set tail medium length decorated with a white tassel at the end.

Long and thin limbs have a well-developed muscular system. On the round paws are located close to each other fingers. The pads are pigmented.This breed does not have an established color standard, therefore dogs can be of any color, but the most common colors are in the range from beige to red-brown. On thin and tight skin there is practically no wool.

Breed defects are the following symptoms:

• light shade of eyeballs;
• coarse and long wool;
• non-compliance with height and weight standards;
• no white spots on the paws.

Sexual maturity of the animal comes at the age of two years. During this period, experts recommend starting the mating process. The period of gestation of offspring is 2.5 months. The average number of puppies in one litter is 4 pieces.

In comfortable living conditions and with a balanced diet, the animal will be able to please the owners for more than 13 years. The following diseases can significantly reduce the life span of a given breed:

• cataract;
• retinal pathologies;
• disease of the musculoskeletal system;
• heart and circulatory system diseases;
• epilepsy;
• inflammation of the digestive system.

Beginning breeders should take into account that the dogs very easily and painlessly endure all medical procedures, so the treatment process will take place without any particular difficulties. Timely life of the animal will help timely vaccination. This procedure can prevent the occurrence of the following diseases:

• plague;
• enteritis;
• parainfluenza;
• hepatitis;
• coronavirus;
• trichophytosis;
• leptospirosis;
• rabies.

Like any other animal, Azawak has its pros and cons, which must be carefully studied before buying a pet. The advantages are as follows:

• unpretentiousness;
• high level of resistance to high temperatures;
• graceful and exotic appearance;
• devotion;
• well-developed hunting and guarding instincts;
• lack of fear of a rival;
• sensitive hearing;
• independent decision making;
• lack of unwarranted aggression;
• good-natured and calm nature;
• painless perception of loneliness;
• independent search for entertainment.

It is worth noting the following disadvantages:

• impossibility to keep in city apartments;
• fragility;
• ringing barking;
• the presence of a constant desire to dig holes;
• excessive autonomy;
• wayward character;
• intolerance to noise and fuss;
• difficult and long adaptation in the new house;
• having a constant desire to be a leader;
• high price range;
• intolerance of dampness and cold;
• difficulty in acquiring.

Azawak has a bold and independent character. A self-willed and devoted pet will fulfill the commands of only a strong owner, whose energy will prevail over the dog, but the dog will keep warm and friendly relations to all family members. Intelligent and attentive animal accurately determines their possessions and becomes a reliable guard even of large territories.

The African dog does not need the constant attention of its owner, it is completely concentrated on its inner world and can independently come up with interesting and exciting activities. Owners can not bother to search for entertainment for a pet.

This breed belongs to the restrained and non-emotional species, which very rarely show external love for the owner. Dogs express their good relationship with devotion and precise execution of commands. Cowardice and fear are not typical of animals. Having a fragile physique, the four-legged friend, without hesitation, will rush to protect its owner and the protected territory.In the event of a significant superiority of the enemy forces, the pet will bark loudly until the owners pay attention to the threat.

A self-sufficient pet with a complex inner world has a negative attitude to the arrogant behavior of young children, who can often afford an incorrect attitude. The noise and shouting of babies can take the pet out of emotional balance and provoke its aggression and inappropriate behavior. An animal will never share its things and will negatively perceive an encroachment on its personal space.

Before acquiring a mobile and energetic African animal, novice dog breeders should understand that this breed is not intended for city apartments. The animal will become hostage to cramped concrete boxes that will not allow it to move freely as in the vast expanses of savannah. The purchase of this breed must also be abandoned by residents of cold regions.

A heat-loving pet will not only feel uncomfortable at low temperatures, but will also acquire chronic colds. The dog will feel more comfortable in a country house with a large backyard territory. Pet negative attitude to the cages and chains, it must has the ability to move freely around the site. Several times a week, the pet must be taken out of the city, so that he can spend the maximum amount of energy in an open space.

The presence of sandy soil in the dog’s homeland has led to the animal's constant desire to dig holes. After hundreds of years, this habit remains relevant. Even in the conditions of other climatic zones, dogs all the time make digging and pits. If Azavak does not have such an opportunity, he begins to spoil the interior and tear up the upholstered furniture.

The maintenance of this breed will require from the owners a minimum amount of care forces. You can comb a short-haired animal no more than once a week. The process of changing the coat is almost imperceptible to the owners and does not require additional combing and regular cleaning of the pet's habitat. The African greyhound is very negative about water procedures, which must be carried out with extreme caution and only as needed. A desert dweller not only does not like to swim, but does not want to go out in the rain.

Azawak is not only an unpretentious animal in terms of content, but also feeding. This breed will be happy to eat both ready-made feeds and natural products. The main condition for feeding - the presence of a balanced diet and adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals. Before buying ready-made feed mixtures, owners should give preference to quality formulations that do not contain stabilizers, preservatives and dyes. The use of cheap feed can negatively affect the state of health of the pet and provoke the development of dangerous diseases.

When choosing a feed with natural products, the following ingredients should be preferred:

• meat;
• a fish;
• offal;
• cottage cheese;
• kefir;
• vegetables;
• porridges;
• greenery.

To maintain a stable level of vitamin and mineral balance, experienced dog breeders recommend using special vitamin supplements for animals. Some inexperienced breeders try to fatten a lean pet, which sometimes can even see the ribs. Canine experts categorically prohibit engaging in this activity and not changing the genetic feature of the breed.

Free and fresh water should always be in the free access of the animal, which prevents dehydration of the body, especially in summer. After each meal, all bowls must be thoroughly washed and dried.

In order to grow not only a beautiful, but obedient and well-bred animal, the owners must begin the process of training and training from the first days of the pet's stay in the house. If the owners do not pay enough attention to this event, the dog will grow out of control, capricious and inadequate. To correct the behavior of an adult animal will be almost impossible. The process of training should consist of a set of exercises that should be different in emotional and physical activity. Monotonous teams and tasks quickly discourage the interest and desire to learn from the pet. Difficult exercises should be alternated with periods of the game.

Canine experts categorically prohibit the use of physical punishment, cry and harshness during training. These actions will provoke the failure of the animal in the future to obey the owner. Praise for the correct execution of the command can be not only good words, but also delicious treats and treats that motivate the dog even more. The only feature that cannot be grafted into an Azawa is the friendly attitude towards other animals. In any situation, the dog will always remain the leader and leader of the pack.

About the features of the breed, see below.