Azawkh

Expert Grooming Article

BA Azawakh

Azawakh

OThe Azawakh is a noble and ancient sighthound originating in West Africa, specifically the Sahel region. Valued for its uncommon loyalty and unusual elegance, as well as its keen hunting abilities, this unique purebred has traditionally been used by the nomadic Tuareg people to hunt game and guard their encampments. With its long, slender physique and regal stance, the Azawakh not only excels in its functional capabilities but also exudes an aura of grace and dignity.

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The Azawakh

The Azawakh is a noble and ancient sighthound originating in West Africa, specifically the Sahel region. Valued for its uncommon loyalty and unusual elegance, as well as its keen hunting abilities, this unique purebred has traditionally been used by the nomadic Tuareg people to hunt game and guard their encampments. With its long, slender physique and regal stance, the Azawakh not only excels in its functional capabilities but also exudes an aura of grace and dignity.

The Azawakh has smooth skin with the coat being short, fine, and down to none on the belly. Colour consists of Fawn, with or without brindles, with white patching limited to the extremities. All shades are admitted, clear sand to dark fawn (mahogany). Brindles should be black as excluding any other shade. The muzzle can present a black mask.

The blaze is very inconstant. On the fore chest, white may be present as white patches, more or less extensively, confined to the base of the neck. Yet, a narrow white stripe is permitted on the forepart of the neck, on the fore chest and on the lower part of the chest. The bib should not extend past the point of the shoulder, or go up on each side of the neck.

A small white spot on the nape of the neck, of reduced size, is tolerated. As a continuation of the fore chest, white spots can appear below the chest, but must not in any case go up the ribs. Each of the four limbs has a white stocking, at least as a trace on the feet.

On a subject having excellent morphology, the lack of white on one limb is allowed. The white marks on the forequarters, often irregular, should not extend beyond the elbows, or encroach on the shoulders. The white marks on the hindquarters, often more regular and less invasive, should not go up to the thigh. White marks appearing on the inner side of the thigh, however, should not be considered a fault. (FCI and ANKC standard).

When washing faces always use Plush Puppy Let’s Face It. This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed just for faces. It’s no tear formula features the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro Vitamin B and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean, soothe, add moisture, aid healing and have anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. It can also be used in and around the ears with the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows ease of rinsing, yet complete cleaning. Leave this on until all the shampooing of the body is done and then rinse off.

For the rest of the dog use Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo on the white areas at the dilution ratio of 1:5 (1 part shampoo to 5 parts water). This shampoo is in fact not a lightening shampoo but a toning shampoo adding those same cool tones lost in transition! Use Herbal Whitening Shampoo for that crisp white finish. This will not lighten or bleach but instead tone with optical brighteners. This is the same for darker colours as it reduces any warm tones hence intensifying the depth of colour.

While the standard does specifically ask for shine, all dogs look better with a natural sheen to their coats. For this use Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo. We call this the ‘Shine’ shampoo as it features natural Henna stalk extracts that impart a beautiful gloss and shine to your dog’s coat. All Purpose Shampoo is primarily derived from organic sources and also features Alpine and Lichen herbs. It is wonderful to use on normal to slightly dehydrated coats. Again apply at a dilution rate of 1:5. A quick lather and rinse.

To brighten the white areas even further use Plush Puppy Wonder Blok. It helps to maintain a white stain free coat. It is not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but high amounts of naturally sourced vegetable surfactants and glycerin. This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm or red tones to the coat. Best used on a damp or wet coat. Gently rub into the areas required allowing 5-10 minutes and rinse. For maximum effects repeat or allow a longer time for this amazing product to work. As with all products take care around eyes.

The coat should not need a conditioner as such after this but does need to have the moisture content of the coat kept up. Conditioners which are acid balanced will in fact soften the coat but a moisturiser will keep up the quality and elasticity in the coat preventing dry and brittle coats.

Use Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil to add shine, hydrate and condition to the coat. It is a truly beneficial blend of using extracts of Calendula oil, Wheat germ oil, and Evening Primrose.

Add 1 teaspoon to 2 Litres of water, then either sponge on or sluice well through the coat, and down to the skin, and LEAVE IN. DO NOT RINSE.

This is quite a unique product in that it is not greasy and totally water-soluble. It gives an outstanding healthy vigour to the skin and coat. It will maintain the texture and moisture in the coat and help protect from the elements. Use the oil at this dilution rate after shampooing. Again leave in and do not rinse. You will get a nice healthy sheen on the coat with this routine.

Seabreeze Oil also helps keep any scurf at bay and leaves the coat smelling wonderful and with great healthy vigour and shine. You will be addicted to this product once you see the amazing results it gives not only short term but more importantly, long term to your dogs’ coats and skin.

In between shows, use Plush Puppy Reviva Coat. Simply apply a golf ball sized amount to your hands and massage into the coat, and leave it in. Reviva Coat is wonderful for rehydrating the hair, and keeping the scurf at bay but still adding moisture. You can’t slather too much of this product on. It never gets greasy and is great for your breed.

This all may seem extravagant and hard work for a seemingly no-nonsense dog but good presentation is an important factor these days and your dog has to be a complete picture. All the little things make the difference. Attention to 100 things done just 1% better makes a lot of difference.

On Show day I like a spray of Plush Puppy Odour Muncher for a nice clean smelling dog. It literally munches the odour and works well for smelly problems such as emergencies in transit etc. Leaves a light fragrance – certainly not too much and definitely not too little. These were often dogs of kings and noblemen – why shouldn’t they deserve the royal treatment?

For a final boost of shine and lustre, spray a light mist of Plush Puppy Shine and Comb 30cm above the top-line, head and rear for a fine, natural sheen that exhibits those hairs of the coat to their utmost. Let the mist fall onto the coat then rub your hand over to blend. By keeping shine to the coat, you instantly give the appearance of deeper and richer colour as the light reflects off a smoother surface better than a rough surface.

Now you can take your Azawakh into the ring and showcase this remarkable and ancient hound to their very best.

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