The Azawakh made its competition debut for the 144th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the world’s most famous arena, the Madison Square Garden Monday February 10 and Tuesday, February 11, 2020. Read this latest story about an Azawakh competing for the top prize from veteran writer and AKC.org columnist Ranny Green here.
The Azawakh, an ancient hunting dog from West Africa.
The Azawakh,(pronounced OZ-O-WOK) is joining the Hound Group in 2020. The dog is an ancient hunting hound that hails from the West African countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The Azawakh’s short, fine coat can come in several shades and color combinations. As a member of the sighthound family, the breed’s lean and muscular structure paired with their keen vision makes them reliable hunters. The Azawakh’s sprinting ability have allowed them to chase gazelle across the Sahara Desert for more than a thousand years.
“We are thrilled to be back at Madison Square Garden for the 144th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and to announce the addition of an African sighthound breed that will make its debut on the green carpet this year at the World’s Most Famous Arena,” said Gail Miller Bisher, director of communications, Westminster Kennel Club. “This will be a historic year for the breed and the kennel club.”
A trusted guardian and hunter of hare, antelope, and wild boar, the breed became a constant traveling companion of desert-roaming nomads. This durable breed is very fast outdoors and excels at the sport of Lure Coursing, yet indoors, the Azawakh is a calm indoor family companion.
The Westminster Kennel Club is America’s oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purpose bred dogs. Established in 1877, Westminster’s influence has been felt for more than a century through its famous all-breed, benched dog show held every year in New York City.
View last year’s two new breeds below.
Dachschunds Welcomed With Two New Breeds at Westminster’s Top of the Rock Preview
