Traditionally, the Breed Standard for a particular breed of dog is written and ‘owned’ by the country in which it originated, and it is this standard which is then adopted by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI).  Subsequently, fellow national kennel councils around the world come to recognise the breed in question and adopt the FCI Breed Standard as one of their own.

However, as (a) the Azawakh originated in a bioregion spanning three countries – Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger – and (b) each of these countries continues to endure severe social, political, economic and environmental issues meaning establishing a national kennel council has never been high on their list of priorities… the creation and ownership of the Breed Standard became the responsibility of France, where the first Azawakh was exported.   

The first draft was written by members of the Sloughi Club of France in the 1970s, based upon the 7 Azawakh initially imported from West Africa.  At this time, the authors’ primary goal was to clearly differientate between the Azawakh, Sloughi and smooth-coated variety of the Saluki, as these three breeds appear very similar to the inexperienced eye.  

Inevitably, being based upon so few Azawakh, this first Standard did not accurately represent the breed as a whole as it is found in the Sahel.  Over subsequent years, as further expeditions into Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso were conducted with the express purpose of finding, studying and where possible, acquiring further Azwakh, appeals have been made to France and the FCI to update the Standard accordingly.

The primary area of contention – both then and now – relates to colours and markings.  In the Sahel, Azawakh range in colour from pale sand through gold and countless shades of fawn to a rich mahogany red.  Some have brindling over the base colour; and on a small number, it is so dense as to make the dog appear entirely black.  The face may or may not have a black mask.  White socks of various lengths are usually present on the feet and legs, along with a white ventrum extending up the forechest, sometimes as far as the throat or even the underside of the lower jaw.  The tail often has a white tip.  A few dogs have no white markings whatsoever, or so much white as to appear “pinto”.

Originally, the French (and by default, FCI) Breed Standard did not permit brindling, but this was changed in 1994.  However, it will not accept dogs which appear entirely black.  The Standard remains very prescriptive about the presence and extent of white markings: dogs with too much white or none at all are disqualified.  

In 2009, American Azawakh breeders discarded the French/FCI Breed Standard and drafted their own, removing any stipulations regarding colour or markings whatsoever.  Other countries, including Australia, continue to use the FCI Standard.

Below are PDF files of the FCI, Australian (ANKC) and American (AKC) Breed Standards for the Azawakh.