In the first of a new series looking at unusual breeds, we focus

on the aloof African

Azawakh.

riginally bred by the Tuareg,

Fula, and other nomads of
the Sahara and sub-Saharan
Sahel in the countries of Mali,
Niger, Burkina Faso, and southern Algeria,
the Azawakh is used there as a guard dog
and to hunt gazelle and hare at speeds of
up to 40 miles per hour.
The austerity of the Sahel environment
has ensured that only the fittest dogs
survive and has accentuated the breeds
ruggedness and independence. Unlike
other sighthounds, Azawakh are pack
hunters, and they tend to knock down
the quarry with their hindquarters when
it has been tired out. In the role of guard,
if an Azawakh senses danger he will bark
to alert the other pack members, and
they will gather together under the lead
of the alpha dog, to chase off or attack
the predator.
Azawakh are uncommon outside of
Africa, but theres a growing band of
devotees. The dogs temperaments
can vary from that of lap dog to quite
fierce. Lifelong socialisation and firm
but gentle handling are critical to their

Azawakh can be aloof

towards strangers.

development. Well socialised

and trained, they can be good
with other dogs, cats, children,
and strangers.
Azawakh are registered
with all the modern canine
organisations and are
seen more and more at
shows, but they dont fall into the
common perception of show dogs. This
breed doesnt have an extrovert show
temperament, and judges need to
have a special understanding of the
dogs character when they come to
evaluate them.
Recent genetic and archaeological
studies, as well as direct observation in
the field, have offered a glimpse into the
origin of the Azawakh. Despite physical
similarities, DNA evidence shows that the
breed is only very distantly related to other
sighthounds. Azawakh have a rare glucose
enzyme gene (GPIB) that occurs only in
foxes, jackals, some wolves, Sloughi dogs,
and a handful of other unrelated rare dogs
found mostly in Japan. The presence of
GPIB suggests an ancient separation of

Photograp
hy.

The mysterious Azawakh has an

ancient history and is fiercely
independent, explains Andrew Brace.

The Azawakh
originates from
this part of Africa.

Pic: Eva
Maria Kra
mer, Anim
al

Lost in time

Pics: Sabrina Santoro, Mia Ejerstad, and Gianna Zotta Baylo.

breeds

the Azawakh
from other dog populations
when the dog diverged from wolves, or
perhaps a uniquely African cross-breeding
with local African canids such as jackals.
Rock art dating from 8,000 to 10,000
years ago depicts dogs of Azawakh type
together with hunters. Archaeologists
have found dog bones buried in Holocene
settlements in the Sahara. At the close
of the Holocene wet phase in the fourth
millennium BC, the Sahara returned to
desert and created a formidable physical
barrier to travel. Together, this evidence
suggests that the Azawakh population has
a unique genetic heritage that has been
largely isolated from other dog populations
for millennia.

The Azawakh In brief

Height: From 60 74cm (24 29in).
Weight: From 15 25kg (33 55lb).
Average price of puppies: 1,000.
Health issues: Very hardy with no

46 Your Dog January 2011 www.yourdog.co.uk

y.
imal Photograph
Thompson, An
Pic: Sally Anne

The Azawakh is an
ancient African breed.

Andrew Brace is
approved to judge all
breeds recognised
by the Kennel Club
at international dog
shows and has
judged all over the
world. He is the
author of several
books on dogs
and regularly
gives seminars on
various aspects
of showing.

major hereditary problems, but

can sometimes react adversely to
complex high-protein complete diets.
Average lifespan: 10 years.
Temperament: Primitive, independent,
territorial, and tend to bond with one
human as their master.
Suitable activities: Racing in certain
situations.

These dogs are

fiercely loyal
towards their
owners.

www.yourdog.co.uk Your Dog January 2011 47

 breeds

White socks
are a trait of all
Azawakh.

Traditionally a protector, the

Azawakh is super vigilant.

No other dog is virtually

taller than he is long,
and few are so
devoid of body fat.

Temperament
and character
Unlike other sighthounds, the primary
function of the Azawakh is that of
protector. With those they accept,
Azawakh are gentle and extremely
affectionate. With strangers, many are
reserved and prefer not to be touched,
but they arent inherently aggressive.
Although raised to protect livestock, they
dont show aggression towards dogs or
humans unless threatened.
Azawakh have high energy levels and
tremendous endurance. They are excellent
training companions for runners and are
nearly impervious to heat; they

Azawakh are virtually indistinguishable from the Sahel

pariah dog population from which they are drawn. In addition to
their basic physical structure, Azawakh share a number of unique
traits with the pariah dogs, including:
Intense suspicion of the unknown.
Strong guarding instinct.
Pack hunting behaviour.
Complex social hierarchies.
Unique vocalisations.
Extra pre-molar teeth.
A strong instinct to dig dens.
Throughout the Sahel, very elegant puppies can be found
together with rustic siblings. The Sahel nomads dont have the
same breeding principles as in the West and, unlike the Bedouin
of the north, dont recognise a strict separation of al hor (noble)
from kelb (mongrel) dogs. The nomads act as an extra level of
selection on top of the intense natural selection of the Sahel
environment. Their approach to selection is diametrically opposed
to Western breeding. Instead of selecting which dogs to breed
from upon maturity, they decide which puppies should live. This
approach has the advantage of maintaining a large reservoir of
genetic variability and resilience.
The peoples of the Sahel control dam lines and cull puppies
at birth according to locally held aesthetic criteria. In the Sahel,
colour isnt a selection criterion. The alpha male dog from the
local population is usually the sire. Unless it is a wet year, only one

48 Your Dog January 2011 www.yourdog.co.uk

puppy from a litter might be selected to

live. Females are usually culled unless the
family anticipates a need for more dogs
in the future.
Enthusiasts of the breed have
established Azawakh families in various
European countries, and high-quality
specimens have been produced who
have achieved top honours at dog
shows around the continent, notably
from Italy and Finland.
Although the Azawakh might, at first
glance, look like other smooth-coated
sighthounds, close analysis will reveal
a quite different frame and
construction; no other dog is virtually
taller than he is long, and few are so
devoid of body fat. The coat of the
Azawakh is particularly fine and quite
different from the Greyhound family.
With proper
Like the Basenji, the Azawakh bitch
socialisation,
often has a single annual season.
Azawakh can get on
Unassisted birth of healthy puppies is
well with other dogs.
the norm. Litter sizes are usually from
four to six puppies but litters as small
as one and as large as eight occur.
Pic: Sally Ann

e Thompson, Animal Pho

tography.

will happily run in weather

over 100 degrees Fahrenheit that would
kill a Greyhound. They are inclined to dig
holes in their territory and generally dislike
rain and cold weather.
Azawakh are pack orientated and form
complex social hierarchies. They have
tremendous memories and are able to
recognise each other after long periods
of separation.
In appearance they are at once familiar
and mysterious: lean and almond-eyed,
they call to mind the North African, Middle
Eastern, and Asiatic sighthounds, yet their
demeanour is predatory and untamed.
Specimens vary in type from rustic to
sublime, but the basic format that of
a short-backed, long-legged canine
is consistent.
Their temperament is complex and
is a striking contrast to the
austere simplicity
of their looks.
Thousands of years
of domestication
have only superficially
masked the primitive
underpinnings that
support their motivations
and reactions.
Suspicious, fiercely
territorial, hyper-vigilant,
and loyal, they typically
form an exclusive
attachment to one master.
With their master, and
with those whom their
master trusts, they are
both independent and
gentle. With strangers
and in unfamiliar
situations, they can be
uncomfortable to the point
of unapproachability.
As an indication of the
breeds temperament Ill
recount my first experience
of getting to know the

Azawakh. Some years ago Id been

judging a dog show in Italy, and afterwards
was spending some time with an Italian
friend who kept Azawakh and who
showed them very successfully. We took
a car journey to take in some sightseeing
and with us came two Azawakh. I was
asked to share the back seat of the car
with these two elegant and aristocratic
creatures, but my host stressed that at no
point should I attempt to touch them. We
drove for some time, and when I so much
as looked at my regal companions, they
just looked in the opposite direction.
I ignored them, and they ignored me.
When we reached our destination, the
two hounds stepped out of the car and
immediately placed themselves alongside
their owner. We walked through a busy
town centre among cars and crowds, and
although the two Azawakh were without
leads, they walked directly alongside their
master to the point of touching his legs.
When we stopped for a coffee they curled
up beside him, and seemed to understand
and anticipate his every thought. After
a pleasant afternoon, we returned to the

They seemed to
understand and anticipate
his every thought.
car, resuming our previous positions. After
several minutes, one Azawakh looked at
me and I looked back. Then he put out
his paw and slowly and gently touched
me. At this point my host pointed out that
I had been accepted, and it would be in
order for me to return the compliment,
which I did by stroking the dogs incredibly
fine, smooth coat. He then allowed me to
cuddle him just like any other breed and
we became bonded soulmates for the rest
of the journey.
My hosts obsession was infectious,
and when we later met up with the others
in the family group it was fascinating to
see a very complex hierarchy and social
structure at work. Furthermore, watching
these elegant creatures moving in open
spaces was something that words could
never really describe, such was their poise
and athleticism.
It is clear that the Azawakh is in many
ways the boss in any human-canine
relationship, as everything has to be
done on the dogs terms. I got the distinct
impression that this wasnt just a breed of
dog it was creature from ancient history
that had somehow been lost in time.

www.yourdog.co.uk Your Dog January 2011 49

 breeds
Azawakh enthusiast Mary Snowdon,
from Chelmsford, Essex, has had an
interest in the breed for 15 years. Mary
has owned five Azawakh over the last 10
years, and bred her first litter in 2009.

Q
A

How many Azawakh are there in

the UK?
To date there have been around
30 Azawakh registered with
the Kennel Club. UK Azawakh have
been imported from countries such
as France, the USA, Sweden, Austria,
and Germany.
My first Azawakh, Runi, was the first to
arrive in the UK in 2001. It took five years
to persuade the breeder to let an Azawakh
into the UK. The breed was recognised on
the import register in 2003.

Q
A

Were planning another UK litter of

Azawakh later this year.
With more Azawakh owners in the
UK we hope to apply for the next stage
in Kennel Club recognition, and show the
breed here.

Q
A

Are there any health problems

people need to be aware of?
Having been bred for a desert
lifestyle for centuries, the breed is
healthy and has no testing requirements.

Useful
contacts

Currently there is no UK Azawakh

club, so contact the Kennel Club
for more information; alternatively
you can visit the Azawakh Club
of Americas website, www.
theazawakhclub.com

Web link
Do you have a Azawakh?
Share your photos in our
gallery, or tell us all about him
in our forum at
www.yourdog.co.uk

Pic: Animal Photography.

The Azawakh in the UK

Whats the future of the Azawakh

in this country?
The future looks bright; three
litters have been bred in the UK so
far. Its a testament to their quality that
UK pups have also been in demand in
other countries, and almost half have
been exported to enhance breeding
programmes elsewhere.
A small but steady number of people
in the UK are interested in having an
Azawakh; most are waiting for puppies
to be born in this country.
Its hoped that once the dogs already
imported reach breeding age we will
begin to satisfy the demand.
Weve been very careful to select
complementary lines that will enable us
to keep a wide gene pool and prevent
inbreeding, consolidate type, and spread
foundation lines evenly.

Size of an
Azawakh
co
compared to
a Labrador.

The Azawakh at a glance

Head long,
lean, fine, and
chiseled.

Q
A

Any advice for people interested

in Azawakhs?
If youre interested in the breed,
visit as many breeders as you can
before deciding if the Azawakh is for you;
some are friendly, some are very wary of
strangers, and all are intensely loyal to their
masters and families.
Top line level
or rising to
the rear.

Eyes rather
large and
almond
shaped.

Height at
withers:
60 74cm
(24 29in).

Taller than
long.
The breed is uncommon
outside of Africa, but it
has a growing fan base.

Evidence suggests
that the Azawakh
population has a
unique genetic
heritage that has been
largely isolated from
other dog populations
for millennia.

Skin fine and

tight over the
whole body.

Rather
narrow
body all
through.

Weight:
From
15 25kg
(33 55lb).

The Kennel Club imported breed register

The Kennel Club grants registration to newly imported breeds on its imported breed register.
Such breeds may be shown only in special imported breed classes at licensed shows, and do
not have their own breed classes. Once a breed club has been formed and numbers of both
breeding stock and show entries have increased satisfactorily, the KC will consider transferring
a breed from the imported breed register and granting it full registration.

50 Your Dog January 2011 www.yourdog.co.uk

Pic: R.T. Willbie, Animal Photography.

Generally all
shades of fawn
with white bib,
tail tip, and
socks.

www.yourdog.co.uk Your Dog January 2011 51