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The Azawakh Hound, also known as the Tuareg Sloughi, is an extremely elegant-looking dog that comes from the region of Sahel in Africa. These dogs were bred by the Nomads of the Southern Sahara for use in guarding the villages, hunting, and being companions and pets for the families. As guards, the hounds will often sleep on the roofs of the huts and keep watch, coming down if there is danger approaching and as a pack, chasing the threat away.

In 1993, the Azawakh Hound was accepted for registry into the United Kennel Club (UKC). Today, this breed is accepted for registry in the NKC, the FCI, the APRI, the CKC, the ACR, and the DRA. In all of these organizations, they are classified under the "sighthound" dog category. Although having a registered dog may not mean that much to the average pet owner who is only looking for a loving companion, it does increase the monetary value of the dog for those who want to breed the animal or compete with him or her.

The Azawakh Hound is a regal dog with incredibly long legs and a lean, but proportionate, build. According to breed standards, the dogs should be between 23 and 29 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers. Their weight can vary a bit, but they should be between 37 and 55 pounds, with males typically being slightly larger than females of the breed. The sillky ears are held in the flopped position, hanging down the side of the head. The almond-shaped eyes and the nose are dark in color. The muzzle is rather long. The tail is long and tapered, held in the downward position when the dog is at rest.

The coat of the Azawakh Hound is short and sleek, tight to the skin. The acceptable coat colors are all shades from light sable to dark fawn, with speckling in the fur. There may be a mask or a blaze on the face. There are white markings on the chest and the tip of the tail, and the feet each have a white stocking. Their grooming is quite easy. An occasional brushing and dry shampoo will suffice. The breed are average shedders.

They are highly intelligent dogs and can be trained quickly, especially regarding their natural instincts. Training must be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. If you are patient, consistent and calm, the dog will respond well to training and learn quickly.

They are affectionate and loving with their families, but due to their guarding instincts, they tend to be wary and standoffish with strangers. They should be well-socialized from an early age. They are good with other dogs in general. The dog is very loyal and alert to any sense of approaching danger. This makes them very good watchdogs. They are very active and need to have room to run, having some time to play off the leash. They should also have a brisk walk daily. This is an independent breed, enjoying some time alone. The average life expectancy of the Azawakh Hound is twelve years.

Learn more about this author, Victoria Tiegert.
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