Azawakh

Azawakh

FierceCalmAgile

The Azawakh is a slender and tall-looking breed with brown almond-shaped eyes.

Health
Personality
Lifetime Care

Breed Profile

Height

25 - 29

Inches

Weight

44 - 55

Pounds

Life Span

10 – 12

Years

Health

health

Hypothyroidism

Affects
25%
of dogs

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

Reimbursement Rate

Amount a Spot accident & illness plan could cover*

$720

Your Net payment

$80

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*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://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.

health

Bloat and torsion

Affects
20%
of dogs

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

Reimbursement Rate

Amount a Spot accident & illness plan could cover*

$1,800

Your Net payment

$200

Click For Price

*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://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf 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!

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