Azeyag
The Azeyag is a dog breed originating in central Scipia. It is common throughout the Ninva as well as many of the outlying regions such as Itayana, Alanahr and the Rubric Coast, although it is particularly associated with the Tenerian people who are the most well known Azeyag breeders. Historically, they have been prevalent among Tenerians, Tebus and Zarmas who use the Azeyags as guard dogs. Azeyags are closely related to the Sloughi breed of the Periclean coast of northern Scipia and share many characteristics with them. They remain a relatively niche breed outside of their native region, although they have come to receive minor acclaim from international breeders thanks to their ruggedness and speed as well as their unusual personalities when compared to other gazehounds.
The breed gets its name from the Azeyag valley in western Charnea, a location in which rock paintings depicting similar slender canines with fallen ears were discovered. Modern Azeyags as well as other similar Scipian breeds are though to be direct descendants of the ancient hound dogs depicted in such petroglyphs and later art found at various sites across the continent. The documented history of the Azeyag goes back centuries, as the modern examples of the Azeyag are though to be the continuation of the hunting and guard dogs kept by the nomadic Tenerians in Ihemodian times. These dogs are one of the recognizable cultural icons of the Ninvite peoples.
Description
The Azeyag is notable for its nearly-skeletal appearance and extremely slim build, with ribs and muscles readily visible on healthy and well-fed individuals. This striking appearance is accentuated by the very short and fine coat of the breed, which also helps the animal cope with the soaring temperatures of its desert homeland. They are relatively mid-sized, similar to their Sloughi relatives, standing at around 70 centimeters in height and weighing in around 20 kilograms when fully grown. Most Azeyags have a reddish brown or brindled coloration with white markings on the neck, feet and the tip of the tail. However many color variations exist with various combinations of fawn, red, black, and white colors. An uncommon but highly prized coloration are the white Azeyags, which are mostly or entirely white.
Movement
Azeyags are a cursorial breed known for their double suspension gallop which sacrifices endurance for speed, as they are used primarily to run down and capture fast-moving prey animals such as hares or gazelles and must therefore be exceptionally fast and agile. They are known to reach around 65 kilometers per hour while sprinting, although they are unable to maintain such speeds for extended periods and may loose the prey if the chase continues for long. Their great speed has been honed over the years, particularly with the advent of Azeyag racing as a local sport in Charnea in the 20th century, which has seen dogs reach as high as 75-80 kilometers per hour for short periods.
Health
Azeyags are a relatively healthy breed with relatively few congenital health issues to contend with. The main illness found in Azeyags is wobbler disease affecting their vertebrae and spinal column. This is a progressive lifelong malady, but can sometimes be corrected with surgery eliminating the problem entirely. The robust body of the dog results in a relatively low rate of physical injuries compared to other breeds of the same category. Azeyags normally give birth unassisted. The general lack of illnesses in the Azeyag breed is though to be connected to a higher than usual level of genetic diversity because of Tenerian dog breeding practices, as well as their extensive use as hunting dogs in the harsh climate of the Ninva desert which is though to have influenced the Azeyags to develop into a more fit and robust breed compared to its relatives. They tend to remain in good health well into old age.
Temperament
The Azeyag is unusual among gazehounds due to its conditioning and long-time use as a guard dog rather than an obligate hunting hound. Although they are used for hunting, the primary use of the Azeyag in the context of the Ninvite peoples is to protect camps and livestock from various threats. Azeyags are far more sociable and pack-oriented than other gazehounds, barking to alert each other and their human keepers either of a prey animal or a predatory interloper. They tend to assemble into a group before acting in either circumstance to give chase to prey or to fend off a predator. They are less independent than their Sloughi cousins and are more readily socialized to humans, children, or other animals like livestock. As with most dog breeds, their behavior can range from docile to highly aggressive depending on their socialization. All of these traits make the Azeyag a desirable and versatile companion animal to many Ninvite groups.
Azeyags have a high level of energy and exceptional stamina and require frequent exercise. They are well adapted for the desert heat, and do poorly in the cold or in damp environments, as well as in tightly packed cities where their desires for movement are impeded. The high level of social complexity among Azeyags is related to their good memories and capacity to recognize individuals after long periods of separation. Because of their background as guard dogs, they tend to form strong bonds with their owners with whom they can be highly affectionate, while remaining uneasy and reserved around strangers. Their natural aversion to unknown people or animals gives rise to their characterization as a "shy" or "nervous" breed. However, they do not typically show aggression to other canines or unknown humans except when threatened. The training of an Azeyag is considered to be a delicate process which has traditionally been handled by professional kennel-keepers among Ninvite groups, as proper socialization is key in order to mold an Azeyag unto a loyal and useful canine companion for the group, and they tend to respond especially badly to improper heavy handed training methods such as corporal punishment.