Azawakh
The Azawakh is a slender and tall-looking breed with brown almond-shaped eyes.
Breed Profile
Height
25 - 29
Inches
Weight
44 - 55
Pounds
Life Span
10 – 12
Years
Health
health
Hypothyroidism
What is it?
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body does not produce enough thyroid hormone.
Clinical signs
Slowing down of the heart rate
High blood cholesterol
Increase in shedding which leads to a dull coat
Balding of the coat
May be susceptible to skin and ear infection
The coat hair may not grow back
May feel cold easily
Pigmentation of the skin
Increase in the weight, without eating a lot
In some cases other symptoms may be experienced such as:
Thickening of the skin around the face
Dryness of the eye due to lack of tear production
Deposit of fat around the cornea
Abnormal functioning of the nerves
Treatment
Hypothyroidism is not curable but can be treated by making sure the thyroid hormone levels are balanced. Oral drug medication may be given for the rest of the dog’s life. The drug dosage must be adjusted according to the thyroid hormone level.
Eligible vet bill
$800
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Bloat and torsion
What is it?:
Bloat is a condition that may occur in the Azawakh breed as they have a hollow chest. Bloat is a condition where the gas spreads in the dog’s stomach while torsion is a condition where the stomach twists itself and causes a cut-off in the flow of blood.
Clinical signs
The symptoms of bloat and torsion in an Azawakh are:
Swelling of the belly
Dry heaving
Pain in the abdomen
Anxiety in dogs
Drooling and panting
Breathing problems
Pain in the stomach
Treatment
There are a few ways to treat bloat in your dog, they are:
Pain medications may be given for the discomfort
In case of severe bloat the vet may have to surgically untwist the stomach. A part of the stomach may be stitched to the wall to avoid twisting in the future. This procedure is called gastropexy.
A procedure may be performed to relieve the gas in the stomach.
Intravenous fluid and electrolytes may be given to improve the circulation in organs.
Eligible vet bill
$2,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Aloof
The Azawakh is aloof with strangers and may take time mixing up. They need to be taught how to socialize with strangers at a puppy stage.
Protective
The Azawakh is very protective about their owner and may get territorial about their humans but this also makes them extremely loyal
Energetic
The Azawakh loves to be outdoors and is speedy due to its slender frame. He requires daily exercise or a good run.
Lifetime Care
Coat
Azawakh have a coat that is thin and fine and they are not suitable for colder conditions
Colors
The Azawakh coat is available in a variety of colors, like black, brown, sand red, dark red, brindle, white.
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
The Azawakh does not need much grooming; they just need an occasional rub to maintain their fur.
Training
The Azawakh is an intelligent dog breed and they are not difficult to train. They may need some reinforcement but harsh training does not work on them as they are sensitive in nature. It's best to start their training early on when they are puppies. It is very important to be patient with them.
The Azawakh is named after the Azawakh valley, where they belong. It is on the border ofd wa Mali and Niger. The Tuareg nomads who lived in this area owned them. The Azawakh are great boar and antelope hunters and served to be guarding dogs in older times. Later on they became a loyal pet to the people. The breed is very similar to the african breed Sloughi.
The Azawakh: Introduction to the Breed
The Azawakh is a loyal breed that is local natured.
Azawakh's Physical Characteristics are:
Slender body
Brown eyes
Visible ribs
Delicate looking legs
Azawakh is best suited for pet owners:
Who wants a pet that is devoted to them
Who has time to take the breed outdoors
Who can train their pet
Who can take care of them indoors
Things to watch out for before deciding to own an Azawakh
The Azawakh cannot handle cold weather very well as they have a thin coats.
They are one of the fastest dog breeds and require exercise of up to 30 mins daily.
They are sighthounds and have a high prey instinct, which is why one needs to be careful if they have other small pets.
The Azawakh is very alert and may take time to warm up to strangers. They must be trained at an early stage to make them better at socializing.
The Azawakh may have a tough time adapting to new environments, which is why they must be adopted at a young age preferably.
The Azawakh may not do well with young children as they are sensitive and need to be treated gently.
What should an Azawakh eat?
The Azawakh do not need a special diet as they are used to eating in tough surroundings. All they need is a balanced diet that contains proteins. They require fresh water and a regular supply of other nutrients in their diet. It is easy to look at them and assume that they are lanky but they do not need extra food as making them overweight may cause other health concerns. They should be fed at least twice a day.
Conclusion
The Azawakh may not be for all families but they are very loyal and once they belong to you they become very protective. If you are looking for a dog that accompanies you for long walks then the Azawakh is the one! Once you win their heart they will never leave your side. They are great pets to have for owners who love sports. They do not have many grooming requirements and are low maintenance that way. They also serve to be great watchdogs!
Sources: