Azawakh, Saluki & Sloughi

The Azawakh is an ancient rare and unique breed from West Africa, to be specific, the Sahelian desert area. The nomadic people (Tuareg) that live with this breed view them as a guardian, hunter and status symbol. Having been forged over millennia by a harsh desert environment and the selective hand of man, they are possessed of unique physical, mental and aesthetic qualities. In Sahelian culture an Azawakh is prized for “djikku”-intensity of character, which is considered a sign of nobility. 

The Saluki believed to be one of the oldest breeds of domesticated dog, the Saluki evolved in the Middle East to assist early man, the hunter. Studying the antiquity of these beautiful hounds reveals that they hunted for the ancient Egyptians and for their Mesopotamian masters as well as being accomplished providers of food for the nomadic tribes who roamed the desert sands of the Arabian Peninsula.

The Sloughi pronounced (SLOO-ghee), is one of the oldest known dog breeds.

Dogs of this type are depicted on Egyptian wall reliefs more than three thousand years old. The Sloughi is traditionally a hunting dog of the nomadic tribes of North Africa, the Berbers and the Bedouins. Sloughis bred to hunt game in North Africa were accompanied by trained falcons, sat in the saddle in front of the riders and were taken on the hunt. The Sloughis countries of origin include Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.