Raising dogs, especially providing care for the azawakh, is a specialty of people. Historians postulate dogs were originally domesticated sometime between 12,000 and twenty five thousand years ago—and that dogs evolved from wolves. Since then, people have selectively bred more than four hundred different breeds, varying in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, whose 3-ft stature earns them the title of tallest canine. But the most widespread canines are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The azawakh is also a favorite choice with canine owners. Many owners are oblivious, however, of many of the most critical azawakh care tips.
Health care cost for your azawakh
The annual budget for taking care of the azawakh—including everything from nutrition and treats, to vet bills, toys and license—can range between $420 and seven hundred eighty dollars. This doesn’t even count capital costs for sterilization procedures, collar and leash, carrier and a doggie crate. Tip: Be sure you have procured all of your supplies before bringing your azawakh home for the first time.
Basic azawakh Care
How To Feed the azawakh
- azawakh pups between 8 and twelve weeks old need 4 bowls of food every 24 hours.
- Feed azawakh puppies 3 to 6 months old three meals every 24 hour period.
- Feed puppies 6 months to 1 year two bowls of food in a day.
- When your azawakh reaches his or her first birthday, 1 feeding a day is sufficient.
- Some adult azawakhs, however, prefer 2 smaller meals. It is your job to adapt to your azawakh’s eating tendencies.
Top-quality dry dog food ensures balanced nutrition for full-grown azawakhs and can mix with canned food, water, or broth. Your azawakh may also love cooked eggs, fruits and vegetables, and cottage cheese, but these additions should be less than 10 percent of his or her daily food. azawakh pups must be fed a high-quality, name brand puppy food. Try to limit “table food”, however, since it can cause vitamin and mineral imbalances, bone and teeth problems, and may result in some very picky food choices and obesity. Clean, fresh water should be made only, and make sure to wash water and food dishes very frequently.
azawakh Care Tips: Your azawakh needs physical activity daily
azawakhs need daily physical activity so they can stay in shape, recharge their brains, and keep healthy. Exercise also really helps azawakhs fight boredom, which would often lead to destructive behavior. Going outside can appease many of your azawakh’s desires to chew, dig, chase, retrieve and herd. Activity needs depend on your azawakh’s level of health and her age—but merely a walk down the street every day and 10 minutes in back of the house probably will not be sufficient. If your azawakh is a six to eighteen month adolescent, her requirements will be a little greater.
azawakh Grooming
You can help reduce shedding and keep your azawakh clean with brushing. Inspect for fleas and ticks every day during the summer or other warm weather. Many azawakhs don’t need to be bathed more than a few times per year. Prior to a bath, cut out or comb any and all mats from the azawakh’s coat. Carefully rinse all soap out of the coat, or dirt will stick to soap residue.
azawakh Handling
Puppies are clearly easier to handle. To carry your azawakh puppy, take one hand and put it beneath the dog’s chest, either with your forearm or other hand supporting his or her back legs and rump. Don’t attempt to lift or grab your pup by his forelegs, tail or back of the neck. When you have to pick up a bigger, adult azawakh, lift from underneath, bracing his chest with one of your arms and rear end with your other arm.
Housing your azawakh
Your azawakh needs a cozy peaceful location to relax away from all the breezes and away from the ground or floor. You might wish to buy a doggie bed, or make one from a wooden box. Put a clean comforter or pillow inside the bed for cushioning. Wash your azawakh’s bed covering often. If the azawakh will be spending a lot of time outdoors, make certain he has access to covering and plenty of cool water in the summer, and a covered, warm, dry area in winter.
azawakh Licensing and Identification
Make certain to follow the community’s licensing regulations. Be certain you affix the license to your azawakh’s collar. This, together with an identification tattoo, can help secure your azawakh’s return should he get lost.
azawakh Behavior Information
Training the azawakh
Well-mannered, companion azawakhs are a blessing to raise. However, when untrained, your dog can easily be a big pain. Training your azawakh on the minimums—”Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, and “Leave it”—will strengthen your relationship both with the dog and the house guests. If you’re the owner of a puppy, start teaching him or her the appropriate responses as fast as you can! Use a snack as recognition and incentive. Pups should begin obedience class when they are adequately vaccinated. Contact the local humane society or SPCA for information about training classes. Always walk your azawakh leashed when, even as a puppy. Just be positive your doggie will come to you at all times whenever you tell her. A disobedient or aggressive azawakh shouldn’t play with other people.
The Health of Your azawakh
Your azawakh should see the vet for a complete diagnosis, immunizations and heartworm screening every year, and as soon as possible when she is ill or injured.
About your azawakh’s Oral Health
While many of us may object to our azawakh’s bad breath, we must be aware of what it might indicate. Foul-smelling breath is usually a sign that your azawakh should get an oral examination. Dental plaque , which is a result of unhealthy bacteria brings a bad odor that requires the help of a professional. After you give your azawakh a cleaning done by a professional, the gums and teeth may be kept up by feeding a special diet focused on dental health, eliminating table food, and regular brushing. Your vet can provide you with more information for mitigating periodontal disease and halitosis. You can brush the azawakh’s teeth using a dog paste or a homemade baking soda and water paste twice weekly. Brush them with a piece of nylon stocking stretched across the finger, a gauze pad, or a soft, child’s toothbrush. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, often affects azawakhs. Often, tooth loss takes place due to periodontal disease. Diseases can sometimes also propagate to other areas of your azawakh’s body. The veterinarian usually will brush your azawakh’s teeth in her regular health screening.
Halitosis (bad breath) in azawakhs
Although bad breath due to periodontal disease may not be serious if found early enough, sometimes halitosis may indicate serious, chronic problems. Intestinal or liver diseases sometimes also cause bad breath, and a sweet, even pleasant smell may usually be a sign of diabetes. If your azawakh’s breath smells of ammonia or urine, kidney disease is a possibility. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your azawakh has halitosis along with other signs of disease like excessive urinating or drinking, depression or lethargy, weight loss, nausea, or decreased appetite.
Dealing with Fleas and Ticks in azawakhs
When it’s warm, it’s of utmost importance for you to perform daily, regular inspections of your azawakh for fleas and ticks. Find fleas using a flea comb. There are many new technologies of tick and flea mitigation. Speak with your vet about these and other recommendations.
Heartworms in azawakhs
The heartworm is a parasite that lives in the heart and passes from a contaminated dog to your azawakh by way of mosquitoes. Heartworm infestations can be fatal. It is wise to make sure your azawakh has a heartworm screen every single spring—this is important for catching infections from the earlier year. A monthly tablet taken during the warm, wet time of the year will protect your azawakh. Your azawakh should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. In some of the more moderate locations, veterinarians recommend preventive heartworm medication be taken continually.
Poisions and Medicines
If you’re pondering giving your azawakh medication that was not prescribed for him by his veterinarian, forget it. Are you aware that one ibuprofen capsule can cause ulcers in some dogs Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your azawakh. Be sure to immediately call your dog’s vet when you have cause to believe your azawakh has consumed poison. You may also contact the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for twenty-four hr. help.
Neutering and Spaying azawakhs
It is recommended that male azawakhs should be neutered – the removal of the testes – and females spayed – the extraction of the ovaries and uterus – by six months of age. Spaying before maturity significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer, a common and frequently fatal problem of older female azawakhs. Spaying also eradicates the possibility of a diseased uterus, a traumatic issue in more mature females that can only be treated with intensive medical care and surgery. Neutering males prevents prostate and testicular diseases, some hernias and certain aggressive behavior.
Innoculating your azawakh
- The combo vaccine (also called the “five-in-one shot”) should be given to your azawakh at 2, 3, and 4 months of age and then once each year. This shot immunizes your puppy from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. The azawakh must be immunized for at least the first 4 months of her life.
- If you have the rare azawakh who has not been innoculated and is older than four or five months, she will need a series of 2 immunizations given two to 3 weeks apart, followed by a yearly vaccination.
- azawakh pup socialization and vaccination should coincide. You should bring your azawakh puppy to socialization courses as early as eight or nine weeks old, as recommended by most doctors. They should have received their first immunizations by this point.
Since rules vary between different areas, contact a local vet to get information on rabies innoculation. As an example, NYC codes state that pets older than 3 months be vaccinated for rabies. The initial rabies immunization must be followed up by another vaccination the next year, and then every three years after that. There are many vaccines that could be effective for your azawakh. Ask your azawakh’s vet for her recommendation. By the way, if your azawakh gets sick because she is not properly innoculated, do not administer the vaccination until the dog has made a full recovery.
Roundworms in azawakhs
azawakhs are commonly exposed to worms and possible infestation—even in urban areas. Tiny eggs made by roundworms and hookworms are transmitted through an infested azawakh’s feces. Even the healthiest of azawakh puppies carry hookworms or roundworms. The secret to treatment is early detection. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed medicine will be successful against your azawakh’s worms. A dewormer that eradicates roundworms, for example, can’t kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian can best identify the culprit—and decide the effective treatment.
Miscellaneous azawakh Care Tips
azawakh Supply Checklist
- Premium-quality dog food and snacks specifically for azawakhs and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water dish
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Brush and comb for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with ID tag and license
- Quality leash
- Carrier (for puppies)
- Training crate
- Dog bed or box with blanket or towel
- Child’s toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
Never, ever feed your azawakh the following:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Caffeinated foods, like coffee, tea or chocolate
- Raisins and grapes
- Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Poultry bones
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit & stems
- Yeast dough
The scoop on poop
Unless you are at home, or in a fenced-in, secured spot, keep your azawakh on a leash at all times. Whenever your azawakh does #2 on your neighbor’s yard, the sidewalk or any other public location, please dispose of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about azawakhs
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