Country/Date of origin: Mali/1000 AD
The nomadic Tuareg tribes of the southern Sahara have a unique sighthound breed, the Azawakh. In the traditional role of the sighthound, the Azawakh chases down gazelles and other fleet game animals and slows them down so that mounted hunters can dispatch the quarry. The Azawakh, which is related to the Sloughi and the smooth Saluki, can be distinguished from them by its distinctive red coloration and white socks and the fact that it has a shorter body. In its native Mali, the dog is used as a guard as well. In 1970 some examples of the breed were taken to France and have attracted a small but dedicated following for the breed.
FCI Group: 10 (Hound)