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by Deb Kidwell and Rhonda Mann Azawakh was finally recognized as a distinct and different breed when the “Sloughi” prefix was dropped. History and Development The Azawakh made its debut in America The Azawakh is an African sighthound in the mid-1980s. The first litter was of Afro-Asiatic type. The original whelped on October 31, 1987. These homeland of the Azawakh is the endless first American Azawakhs were all red or arid region of the south Sahara and fawn with white markings. The first Sahel, which encompasses the countries brindles came to America in 1989, with of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. the first brindle litter whelped November Azawakh means “land of the north,” and 27, 1990. In the mid- 90’s, a parti-color the breed is named for the Azawakh male was imported from Burkina Faso. Valley. They are the guardians, hunters In 1997, a mixed parti-color and sand and companions of the Tuareg and other litter, which had been bred in Mali, was ethnic tribes of the region. whelped in Alaska. It is hoped that an The Azawakhs are called, “idii ‘n illeli,” even larger selection of colors will find which means “sighthound of the free their way to the US from Africa in the people.” Other sighthound-type dogs, near future. called Afazo or Abaikor, are common to In America, the Azawakh is recognized the region, but the differentiation is by the AKC Foundation Stock Service, important. These dogs do not attain the the United Kennel Club (UKC), the nobility and type of the “idii,” whose International All Breed Kennel Club of prototype sets the standard. America IABKCA the American Rare The breed was first imported to Breed Association, and many other Yugoslavia in the early I 970s by Dr. smaller registries. The American Pecar, a Yugoslavian diplomat stationed Azawakh Association is the parent club in Burkina Faso. However, the dogs for the breed in the U.S. Their history as could not be bought. Dr. Pecar received show dogs is in its infancy, but their his male as a gift from the nomads. In natural regal presence demands exchange for a female Azawakh, he later recognition. bartered his services as a hunter by Lure coursing in the U.S. killing a bull elephant that had been terrorizing the tribe. The French military As with most sighthound breeds, many and civil servants also played a Azawakhs love to lure course or open significant role in exporting the field hunt. The American Sighthound Azawakhs to Europe. France is the Field Association (ASFA) has given patron country of the Azawakh. Provisional recognition to the Azawakh beginning January 2000. Full The Azawakh has a show history in recognition of the breed should occur in Europe that begins very soon after its 2001. original importation. They were first shown in the early 1970s under FCI Prior to 1996, Azawakhs were frequently rules as a variety of Sloughi. On January seen at field trials running as test dog 1, 1981, they were accepted as a and at practices. In 1996, they were bonafide breed and were referred to as finally recognized to run in the newly “Sloughi-Azawakhs.” In 1986, the created Miscellaneous stake. The first Azawakhs to be certified to run at an Presidents Cup in Virginia (a non- official trial were Dayyat ‘n shat-ehad, regular Best in Event). CGC, TT, Therapy Dog and Tezma Kel Of the three dogs that were awarded the Soulleret. FCC certificate, only Kel Simoon Essari At the ‘96 International Invitational in is still actively competing. Kel Simoon South Carolina, the Azawakh was named Celie sustained a serious back injury the official breed to run as test dog for during the 1997 I.I. in Kentucky, when the first time in ASFA history. Dogs that she fell and hit her back on a pulley in ran at that trial were: Dayyat ‘n shat- the first course. She can no longer run ehad, Amastan Kel Air, Kel Simoons competitively, but still enjoys outings to Cinnamon, Celie, Djenabá, and Diallo. coursing practices. She had earned her FCC prior to her injury. Kel Simoon Cinnamon was killed in a tragic accident in early 2000. During the Provisional year of 2000, several Azawakhs from different breeders finally appeared on the scene and are listed in the Top Ten standings. Those are: Tagalas, Kel Simoon Essari, WNS Ketoto Mateeka, Al Hara’s Lafia Lo, Talempt Al-Ifriqiya, WNS Magic Mirth, Fada Faranda Bohemia and BISS UCI Int’l, Natl. Ch. Kel Simoon P’Akasha de Garde Epee. Essari, FCC The Azawakh is also recognized by the In that same year, Deb Kidwell and National Open Field Coursing Rhonda Mann gave a very well received Association (NOFCA) as a rare breed. breed presentation to the Annual There have also been supportive offers Convention of Delegates in Houston, for recognition with the National Oval TX. Azawakhs present at the ACOD Track Racing Association (NOTRA); were Kel Simoon Afella (Kesia) and however, at this time, no Azawakhs are Amastan Kel Air, both owned by Deb participating in this sport. Kidwell. General breed characteristics In 1999, after running in the Miscellaneous stake for three years, The Azawakh is an active breed with three Azawakhs were awarded the newly incredible endurance. They should have created Foundation Coursing Champion a large yard or open area where they can certificate. Those three were: Multi. stretch their legs on a regular basis. BISS UCI Int. Natl. Ch. Kel Simoon More importantly, however, they need Cinnamon; SBIS ARBA Grand Ch. Kel interaction with the owner or another Simoon Celie; and BISS UCI Int. Natl. dog to encourage them to exercise. Ch. Kel Simoon Essari, who is Finding a securely fenced ball field is Cinnamon’s daughter. Essari was also perfect for play excursions. This breed the first Azawakh to run officially with will become fat and lethargic or hyper recognized AKC breeds for the and destructive without proper energy outlets. When discussing the temperament of an dogs in nursing homes and rehabilitation Azawakh, consideration should be given centers. to individual personalities and They seem to possess an uncanny contributing backgrounds, both genetic combination of total loyalty and and environmental. However, there are independence. Each new situation several general characteristics common presents the potential for the struggle to the breed. Azawakhs are gentle and between the dog’s natural desire to affectionate with those they are willing please his owner and his prideful desire to accept. They constantly solicit to do things his own way. A firm, fair physical affection. However, they may hand is called for. be distant and reserved with strangers, and could even be savage or aggressive. The Azawakh with children and other Generally, they distribute their affection dogs and seek to be recognized as a member Much discussion has been given to the of the family; therefore, they are not guardian nature of the Azawakh, but we kennel dogs. Interestingly, in their must remember that this is a sighthound. countries of origin (COO), the Azawakh As a rule, they seem to accept other prefers not to be touched by strangers, dogs, though sometimes grudgingly, as however, is not aggressive. Unprovoked protected members of their own pack. aggression toward a family member or guest would never be tolerated. The Azawakh is a very dominant breed. Within a household pack, they will Described in Dog World as a “warrior almost always aspire to the alpha dog class dog,” they have the intelligence position. If there is an existing dominant and heart to protect. When approached dog in the pack, this can sometimes on their own turf, they will usually bark cause conflict within the pack. ferociously. In situations where their duty as guardian is not necessary, their No one can predict the individual reactions may range personalities of all dogs in any breed. There are some situations that should be avoided with guardian and sighthound dogs of any breed. Children playing together sometimes squabble, and it is natural for a guard dog to protect “his” child from their playmates. Chase or prey behavior is another situation that can be a problem. Children or other pets running away from the Multi SBIS UCI Int. Natl, Ch. Kel hound can activate the prey drive. The Simoon Cinnamon, FCC hound may try to “take down” the child from friendly and exuberant, to mildly or other pet from be hind, as they would curious, to arrogantly indifferent. prey while hunting. Although generally not outgoing, several Because comparatively few generations of the breed in the U.S. and Europe are have been removed from the need to making social contributions as therapy hunt daily for personal and family survival, the hunting instinct is very of these health concerns are strong in this breed. hypothyroidism, spondylosis (a A good rule of thumb is never to leave degenerative spinal disease), seizures, the Azawakh with children while and several autoimmune-mediated unsupervised by an attentive adult. There diseases, such as eosinophilic myositis, are individual dogs of all breeds that do and autoimmune thyroiditis. not like children. Cardiac problems, though not common, The Azawakh, as a breed, with care can be found in the breed. Bloat and given to the situations mentioned, should gastric torsion, though rare, have been fit well into any family structure. known to occur. Hip dysplasia is virtually unknown in the Azawakh Obedience training because of its upright, open- angled The Azawakh is easily trained, using structure and high hip profile. There are positive training methods. They respond no known eye diseases in Azawakhs at very well to gentle, yet FIRM this time.

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