Sahel Hound » azawakh

Preposterous

Brian Reiter — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:21:06 +0000

Tawzalt just walked casually into my office, stretched and curled up on top of Azelouan.

We had a big snow

Brian Reiter — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:19:55 +0000

Azelouan was curious.

Tawzalt was horrified.

Azelouan Enjoys and Afternoon Out

Brian Reiter — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:04:32 +0000

Tawzalt is in season and is at her peak of receptivity. It is tough for Zel to remain chaste and they are both wound a little tight. We took took the girls for a picnic and to get some new clothes for fall and brought Zel along and left Tawzalt to rest at home.

Zel was very happy to get some time out in the country side.

Cassandra and her Puppy

Brian Reiter — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:17:57 +0000

This photo of Cassandra and Tawzalt is from last July 4th. Cassandra loves Tawzalt.

Cassandra with puppy Tawzalt

Backyard Shenanigans

Brian Reiter — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:18:31 +0000

Azelouan’s new game is jumping the pile of wood that I have left over after building a new fence. The wood pile is over 8 feet long and 2 feet high. He easily clears it every time.

On the way out.

The return journey.

Sketch

Brian Reiter — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:00:49 +0000

This morning I felt inspired to do some sketches of Azawakh. I started with standing poses and then did this running version. I think the least satisfactory parts are the shape of the scapula and the head.

Azawakh Running Sketch, extension phase

It’s nap time

Brian Reiter — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 21:02:38 +0000

Theodora and Tawzalt

Cassandra and Tawzalt

Unfortunately, this lasted about 10 minutes. I should never have let the girls eat chocolate cake at the coffee shop.

“Help” with the snow removal

Brian Reiter — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:46:38 +0000

We had a pretty big snow storm last night, about 6 or 7 inches or hock-deep on an azawakh. The dogs are a little ambivalent about the stuff. They have fun with it until they start to get really cold. For Tawzalt, this is her first experience with proper fluffy snow that hasn’t been adulterated by a nasty skin of ice caused by freezing rain.

They were very helpful at un-shoveling the snow as I cleared it.

Tawzalt is starting to feel the cold after some crazed digging

What is this crazy stuff?

Snow Digger

Azeloan with his snow ball

Havoc wreaked, it's quittin' time.

West African Working Bush Dog

Brian Reiter — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:06:36 +0000

These are photographs of photographs I took in 1997 in The Gambia. The dog is one of three that serve as guardians for a beautiful herd of Fulani cattle. The structural conformation is very much like an Azawakh but many of the “bush dogs” in that area tend to be quite rustic and unrefined. Specimens with one or both ears erect were not uncommon, tails tendto be thick-ish and the hair was usually somewhat longer than is typical of Azawakh. The temperament is the same as typical of Azawakh. I believe these dogs and Azawakh are very closely related.

It was common practice for male working dogs to have cropped ears. I’m not sure if the primary purpose was to proactively prevent torn ears or to identify the dog as owned by someone (and therefore not to be killed).

West African bush dog protecting his cows

After thieves, the biggest risk to cattle might have been hyenas. The bush dogs that guard herds were expected to keep hyenas at bay.

West African Hyenas, the enemy of the bush dog

The Warm Spot

Brian Reiter — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:25:14 +0000

Today it is 15 F outside and a wicked wind is blowing. Azelouan found himself a nice warm spot in the sun to warm his bones.

Azelouan in his warm, sunny spot