Azawakh Basics
This is not a breed for everyone - that is not something we just say - it is the real thing. It is crucial that you do your homework before you make any further plans. This is a rare breed - everywhere, many times you will have to wait for an available puppy, but that is good - that gives you time to study the breed in detail, to meet up with us, to really be sure that this is the breed for you.
This is the Touareg sighthound. The Touaregs are also known as the ‘Blue Men’ or the ‘Veiled Men’ of Africa, the Touaregs are a small population of Berber people in the Sahel area of Africa (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger).
The Azawakh first made its appearance in Europe around 1970; the first ones arrived to former Yugoslavia and to France. The breed found a dedicated but small group of admirers. The breed name Azawakh was chosen from the Azaouakh/Azawagh/Azawad river valley, but the breed is known as ‘Idii ‘n illeli’ or ‘Oska’ among the Touaregs.
Skinny and delicate at the first glance, but surprisingly sturdy and full of temperament - this is the most refined Sighthound of them all, but inside there is a strong mind, a fierce hunter with strong guarding skills. Characteristics that have made them the unique Sighthounds they still are today, in Europe and in their native countries. Few breed winners in the show ring today have as 'short' pedigrees as the Azawakh – one example is the Best In Show winner of the prestigious Longchamps show 1997 in Paris (6.200 dogs), Ch J’Fillingue de Garde-Epee, her mother was bred in, and imported from Mali.
For many years expeditions took place in the Sahel area, when Azawakh enthusiasts made journeys to visit the different tribes that still breeds the Azawakh, and to secure the gene pool, puppies from Africa were brought back to broaden the gene pool. This is the way the Azawakhs are bred today, the ‘old’ Yugoslavian and French bloodlines are bred pure or with recent imports from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger - this is the guarantee that the breed is true to its origin.
Temperament
Much has been said over the years about Azawakhs and their temperament. Some are less socialized or well trained for the show ring; others are shown with perfection. This is not a dog for everyone! They have a strong mind, a powerful guarding instinct, a very reserved temperament and should always be treated with the utmost respect and care. They are not vicious, evil or aggressive! But they are different from the rest of the Sighthound family, and they must be accepted for their uniqueness.
This is the Touareg sighthound. The Touaregs are also known as the ‘Blue Men’ or the ‘Veiled Men’ of Africa, the Touaregs are a small population of Berber people in the Sahel area of Africa (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger).
The Azawakh first made its appearance in Europe around 1970; the first ones arrived to former Yugoslavia and to France. The breed found a dedicated but small group of admirers. The breed name Azawakh was chosen from the Azaouakh/Azawagh/Azawad river valley, but the breed is known as ‘Idii ‘n illeli’ or ‘Oska’ among the Touaregs.
Skinny and delicate at the first glance, but surprisingly sturdy and full of temperament - this is the most refined Sighthound of them all, but inside there is a strong mind, a fierce hunter with strong guarding skills. Characteristics that have made them the unique Sighthounds they still are today, in Europe and in their native countries. Few breed winners in the show ring today have as 'short' pedigrees as the Azawakh – one example is the Best In Show winner of the prestigious Longchamps show 1997 in Paris (6.200 dogs), Ch J’Fillingue de Garde-Epee, her mother was bred in, and imported from Mali.
For many years expeditions took place in the Sahel area, when Azawakh enthusiasts made journeys to visit the different tribes that still breeds the Azawakh, and to secure the gene pool, puppies from Africa were brought back to broaden the gene pool. This is the way the Azawakhs are bred today, the ‘old’ Yugoslavian and French bloodlines are bred pure or with recent imports from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger - this is the guarantee that the breed is true to its origin.
Temperament
Much has been said over the years about Azawakhs and their temperament. Some are less socialized or well trained for the show ring; others are shown with perfection. This is not a dog for everyone! They have a strong mind, a powerful guarding instinct, a very reserved temperament and should always be treated with the utmost respect and care. They are not vicious, evil or aggressive! But they are different from the rest of the Sighthound family, and they must be accepted for their uniqueness.