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{{Infobox dog breed
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|name     = Azawakh 
|image    = File:Bistrita 2015 (22).jpg
|image_alt = image of a slender dog vaguely like a greyhound. White front legs, rest of body light brown. very short hair, pronounced ribcage with some ribs visible, thin tail up and curved into a circle with a white tip. ears triangular in shape drooping down close to the head.
|image_caption = Azawakh female
|altname  = Idi<br />Hanshee<br />Oska<br />Rawondu<br />Bareeru<br />Wulo<br />(formerly) Tuareg Sloughi
|nickname = 
|country  = [[Mali]], [[Niger]], [[Burkina Faso]]
<!-----Traits----->
|weight       = 
|maleweight   = {{convert|20|-|25|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}
|femaleweight = {{convert|15|-|20|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}
|height       = 
|maleheight   = {{convert|64|-|74|cm|in|0|abbr=on}}
|femaleheight = {{convert|60|-|70|cm|in|0|abbr=on}}
|coat         = Short, fine
|color       = Fawn
|litter_size  = 
|life_span    = 
<!-----Classification and standards----->
|fcistd     = http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/307g10-en.pdf
<!-----Notes----->
|note = 
}}

The '''Azawakh''' is a [[breed of dog]] from [[West Africa]]. With ancient origins, it is raised throughout the [[Sahel|Sahelian zone]] of [[Mali]], [[Niger]], and [[Burkina Faso]].  This region includes the [[Iullemmeden Basin|Azawagh Valley]] for which the breed is named. While commonly associated with the nomadic [[Tuareg people]], the dogs are also bred and owned by other [[List of ethnic groups of Africa|ethnic groups]], such as the [[Fula people|Peulh]], [[Ikelan|Bella]], and [[Hausa people|Hausa]]. The Azawakh is more related to the [[Sloughi]] than it is to the [[Saluki]].<ref name=caprona>{{cite web|last=Crapon de Caprona|first=Dr. Dominique|title=Sloughi, Saluki, Saluqi… Genetic Data Help Separate Semantics From Evidence|url=http://sloughi.tripod.com/SFAA/MitochondrialDNA.html|work=Dogs in Review|publisher=Sloughi Fanciers Association|access-date=7 January 2011|author2=Fritzsch, Dr. Bernd }}</ref>{{unreliable source?|reason=Author did her own analysis|date=April 2019}}

==Description==
[[File:Azawakh male Greboun de Garde-Epee.jpg|thumb|left|A male Azawakh]]

===Appearance===
Slim and elegant, with bone structure and muscles showing through thin skin. Eyes are almond-shaped.

The coat is very short and almost absent on the belly. Its bone structure shows clearly through the skin and musculature. Its muscles are "dry", meaning that they  are quite flat, unlike the [[Greyhound]] and [[Whippet]]. In this respect it is similar in type to the [[Saluki]].

===Colours===
Colours permitted by the [[Fédération Cynologique Internationale|Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)]] breed standard are clear sand to dark fawn/brown, red and [[brindle]] (with or without a [[melanistic mask|dark mask]]), with white bib, tail tip, and white on all feet (which can be tips of toes to high stockings). Since 2015 white stockings that go above the elbow joint are considered disqualifying features in the [[Federation Cynologique Internationale|FCI]] member countries, as is a white collar or half collar (Irish marked).

Some conservationists support the idea that in Africa, Azawakhs are still found in a variety of colours such as red, blue fawn (that is, with a lilac cast), grizzle, and, rarely, blue and black with various white markings including Irish marked (white collar) and particolour (mostly white).<ref>[http://www.tombouktous-azawakhs.de/epa.html ''Colour, Pattern and Marking Varieties of the Azawakh in the Regions of Origin''], 2005, Dr. Gabriel Meissen.</ref> Because of this wide color variation in the native population, the American standard used by the [[American Kennel Club|AKC]] and [[United Kennel Club|UKC]] allows any color combination found in Africa.

===Movement===
[[File:Azawakh 12 big.jpg|thumb|right|Azawakh in motion]]
[[File:Gao nou2.jpg|thumb|Azawakh in movement]]

The Azawakh's light, supple, lissome gait is a notable breed characteristic, as is an upright [[double suspension gallop]].
==Temperament==
Bred by the [[Tuareg people|Tuareg]], [[Fula people|Fula]] and various other nomads of the [[Sahara]] and sub-Saharan Sahel in the countries of [[Mali]], [[Niger]], [[Burkina Faso]], and southern [[Algeria]], the breed known by the Tuaregs as ”Oska” was used there as a [[guard dog]] and to hunt [[gazelle]] and [[hare]] at speeds up to {{convert|40|mph|km/h|order=flip|abbr=on|round=5}}. The austerity of the [[Sahel]] environment has ensured that only the most fit dogs survive and has accentuated the breed's ruggedness and independence. Unlike some other sighthounds, the Azawakh is more of a pack hunter and they bump down the quarry with hindquarters when it has been tired out. In role of a guard dog, if an Azawakh senses danger it will bark to alert the other members of the pack, and they will gather together as a pack under the lead of the alpha dog, then chase off or attack the predator. 

Unlike other sighthounds, the primary function of the Azawakh in its native land is that of a guard dog.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Palika |first=Liz |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ReEXnwEACAAJ |title=The Howell Book of Dogs: The Definitive Reference to 300 Breeds and Varieties |date=2007-08-27 |publisher=Wiley |isbn=978-0-470-00921-5 |pages=139 |language=en}}</ref> It develops an intense bond with its owner, and tend to be reserved with strangers.

Azawakh have high energy and tremendous endurance. They are excellent training companions for runners. Many Azawakh dislike rain and cold weather.

Azawakh are pack oriented and form complex social hierarchies. They have tremendous memories and are able to recognize each other after long periods of separation. They can often be found sleeping on top of each other for warmth and companionship.<ref>[http://www.tombouktous-azawakhs.de/ece.html Tombouktous-azawakhs.de] {{in lang|de}}</ref>

==Breed history==
[[Image:Azawakh 52 jd.jpg|thumb|right|Azawakh among the [[Tuareg people|Tuareg]]]]

The breed is relatively uncommon in Europe and North America but there is a growing band of devotees. Azawakh may be registered with the FCI in the USA via the Federación Canófila de Puerto Rico (FCPR).<ref>[http://www.fcpr2000.org/index-en.html Federación Canófila de Puerto Rico] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921193401/http://www.fcpr2000.org/index-en.html |date=September 21, 2008 }} {{in lang|es}}</ref> European FCI clubs and the AKC recognize the FCPR as an acceptable registry. The [[American Kennel Club|AKC]] recognized the Azawakh a member of the Hound group in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azawakh - Dog Breed Information |url=https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/azawakh/ |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=American Kennel Club |language=en}}</ref> The American Azawakh Association (AAA)<ref>[http://azawakhs.org American Azawakh Association]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202102758/http://azawakhs.org/ |date=February 2, 2007 }}</ref> is the AKC Parent Club for the Azawakh. Azawakh may be registered with the [[United Kennel Club|UKC]] and [[American Rare Breed Association|ARBA]]. The breed is not yet registered by [[Canadian Kennel Club|CKC]]. Azawakh are eligible for [[American Sighthound Field Association|ASFA]] and [[American Kennel Club|AKC]] lure coursing and [[NOFCA]] open field coursing events.

==See also==
* [[Portal:Dogs|Dogs portal]]
* [[List of dog breeds]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081010085825/http://www.rarebreed.com/breeds/azawakh/theazawakh.html Rare Breed Network: The Azawakh]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070202102758/http://www.azawakhs.org/ American Azawakh Association]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090222002441/http://azadb.concept-elevage.com/listimp.html Foundation Azawakhs and Other Imports from Africa]

{{Hounds}}

[[Category:FCI breeds]]
[[Category:Sighthounds]]
[[Category:Tuareg]]
[[Category:Dog breeds originating in Africa]]
[[Category:Rare dog breeds]]
[[Category:Dog breeds domesticated by Indigenous peoples]]