Azawakh

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Azawakh
Azawakh
FCI Standard No. 307
  • Group 10: Greyhounds
  • Section 3: Shorthaired Greyhounds
Origin :

Sahel region , Africa

Patronage :

France

Alternative names:

Idi, Osca, Tuareg Greyhound

List of domestic dogs

The Azawakh is an FCI recognized African greyhound breed ( FCI Group 10, Section 3, Standard No. 307 ).

Origin and history

The Azawakh, even Tuareg - Greyhound called, is a breed of dog used by the nomads of the Sahel is held as hunting dogs, guard and protection dog. The range of the breed extends over the states of Mali , Niger and Burkina Faso . Among the southern Tuareg tribes, it is called Idi (pl. Iadan ) - this simply means "dog" and is explained by the fact that no other form of dog exists in the central Sahel region. It is a typical landrace .

In the more northerly regions of the distribution area, already located in the Sahara, the name Osca (pl. Oscaten ) is also used, which in Tamascheq stands for particularly selected and noble greyhounds. The name Azawakh , which is used by the international breeding organization FCI, is derived from the Azawakhtal, which lies in the border area of ​​the states of Mali and Niger and thus in the center of the region of origin (see Azawad ).

description

Azawakh in the region of origin

The elegant impression that the Azawakh gives results from its slim and delicate build. This is underlined by his independent and resolute nature. In relation to the entire body length, the limbs are relatively long, which makes him appear tall. Due to the poor living conditions of people in their original area of ​​origin, characterized by a lack of water, the dogs usually have a nutritional state in which the skeletal structure and muscles are clearly visible under the dry to parchmenty connective tissue. This trait was explicitly mentioned in the standard by the European breeding organizations. Normally nourished dogs can often not achieve top positions at shows. The Azawakh is often confused with the Sloughi , which is not only due to the similar environmental conditions in the areas of origin of the dogs, but also due to crossbreeding of both breeds.

This typical greyhound has a height at the withers of 64 and 74 cm in males, 60 and 70 cm in females and a weight of up to 25 kg (males 20 to 25 kg, bitches 15 to 20 kg). The hair is short, thin, reduced to hairlessness on the belly, in the colors red, sand, brindle. According to the breed standard, spotting is limited to the limbs, but dogs with much stronger white markings also occur in the region of origin, which has led to discussions in recent years about whether the standard really reflects the overall picture of the breed correctly. All color nuances, from light sand to dark fawn, are permitted. The head may or may not show a black mask, and the blaze is very irregular. A white patch on the chest is part of the color scheme. All four limbs should have white "boots". Black currents are permitted. The skin is thin and tightly fitting all over the body. The head is typically long, fine, dry, chiselled, rather narrow, the ears set rather high, thin, always drooping and flat, with a fairly broad base and close to the skull. They have the shape of a triangle with a slightly rounded tip. The tail is set low, long, thin, dry and slender. It is covered in the same hair as the body and has a white brush on top.

The gait looks elegant: always very supple, especially in trot and walk with high action of the runs, erratic canter. The Azawakh gives the impression of lightness and elasticity.

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