General

AZAWAKH

Country of origin: Mali (France)

During over thousand years the Azawakh was a dog of the Toearegs, nomadic people. The breed was described as fast enough to catch a gazelle, rabbit or wild sheep, courageous enough to scare of large predators, indestructable as a camel and beautiful as an Arabic horse.
In the surroundings where the dog originated only the males and females that are necessary for reproduction may live. Characteristic for the way of hunting is that the dog never kills the game, because this would mean that the meat would be lost because of the enormous heat.
The Azawakh has a very special mentality. He is a friend, not a slave. The breed is exhibited more over the last years. He is the most original hound dog.

Head: carried proud, long, dry and well-formed. Almost flat skull, stretched. Very light stop. Black or brown rhinarium. Thin, dry lips that are black or brown. Long, powerful jaws.

Eyes: almond shaped, rather big and dark, or amber coloured in harmony with the colour of  the coat. Well pigmented eyelids most desirable.

Ears: small, hanging at the cheek, rather wide at set on, triangled with rounded tips. When the dog listens the ears will be raised slightly.

Teeth: carnassial teeth.

Neck: long, elegant en muscled, slightly curved, dry

Body: straight upperline with pronounced shoulder. Short lumbar, pronounced hips, ofter higher than the shoulder, risen stomachline. Wide chest with well curved, obvious ribs.

Tail: long, thin and dry. Hairy, with white tip. Carried hanging with the tip somewhat up.

Limbs: long, dry forlegs. Long, well muscled shoulder. The angle between shoulde and upper arm is very large. Long and dry hindlegs with long thighs which are well musled. Very little angles in knee and hocks.

Feet: round, with well pigmented nails and soles. Black must be there on at least one claw of every foot, preferably also with cream/white dogs.

Gait: always very leniant

Coat: dry, tight skin with a short, fine and soft coat. The stomach has little hair.

Colour: varies from cream/white till brown in every nuance. Black mask is seen, white blaze is permitted as is a white spot at the chest. White socks are desirable and white mark on the toes are compelled.

Size: maleeu 64-74 cm, femalef 61-71 cm. The shoulder hight is bigger than body length.