Azawakh Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: West Africa (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso)
The Azawakh is an ancient West African sighthound bred by the Tuareg and other Saharan nomads to guard livestock and hunt fast game across open desert terrain. It is one of the leanest dog breeds in the world, with a distinctly upright posture, visible musculature, and a deeply reserved temperament toward strangers.
| Breed | Azawakh |
| Size | Large (44–55 lbs) |
| Height | 25–29 inches |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Temperament | Loyal, Aloof, Gentle |
| Energy Level | High●●●●○ |
| Good With Kids | ❌ Not ideal |
| Grooming | Minimal |
| Training | Fair |
| Shedding | Light |
| Best For | Experienced Owners |
🐕 Azawakh Overview
The Azawakh is a tall, elegant sighthound with a slender build and a coat so short that its muscle definition and bone structure are clearly visible. It forms intense bonds with its chosen family but remains deeply suspicious of strangers and requires extensive socialization from puppyhood. Despite its quiet nature indoors, this breed needs daily high-speed running to remain physically and mentally healthy.
📜 History & Origin
The Azawakh takes its name from the Azawagh Valley in the southern Sahara, where nomadic Tuareg, Fula, and Hausa peoples developed the breed over thousands of years. It served as both a camp guardian and a coursing hound capable of chasing gazelle at speeds exceeding 40 miles per hour across harsh desert terrain. The breed was first introduced to Europe in the 1970s and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2019, though it remains rare worldwide.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 44–55 lbs (20–25 kg)
- Height: 25–29 inches (64–74 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 33–44 lbs
- Height: 23–27 inches
Coat type: Short, fine, close-lying
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
Azawakhs require careful supervision around young children. Early socialisation is essential. Best suited to families with older children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Can show aggression toward other dogs or animals. Early socialisation is important, but this breed may need careful management in multi-pet households.
🏃 Exercise Needs
Azawakhs are high-energy dogs that require at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. This includes brisk walks, off-leash running, fetch, or swimming. Without adequate exercise, they can become destructive or develop behavioural problems.
⚠️ Apartment living: Not ideal. A house with a garden is strongly preferred.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (Azawakh)
- Daily amount: 2 to 3 of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Weekly brush is usually sufficient.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average Azawakh lifespan is 12–15 years. Larger breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United States
Pedigree AKC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Europe
Pedigree FCI-registered puppy from health-tested parents
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Experienced sighthound owners
- Active adults and couples
- Owners with large secure yards
❌ Cons
- First-time dog owners
- Families with young children
- Requires significant daily exercise
🆚 Azawakh vs Other Breeds
✅ Azawakh wins at
The Azawakh is slightly more expressive and affectionate with its core family than the Sloughi.
✅ Sloughi wins at
The Sloughi tends to be somewhat easier to socialize and marginally more adaptable to new environments.
✅ Azawakh wins at
The Azawakh has a lower grooming burden and a more compact, athletic build suited to dryer climates.
✅ Saluki wins at
The Saluki is generally more adaptable, easier to find from reputable breeders, and slightly more tolerant of other dogs.
🏠 Who Should Own a Azawakh?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Experienced sighthound owners
- Active adults and couples
- Owners with large secure yards
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- First-time dog owners
- Families with young children
- You live in a small apartment without outdoor access
- You have a very sedentary lifestyle
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Azawakh good for families?
The Azawakh can be a devoted companion within a calm, experienced household but is generally not recommended for families with young children due to its reserved and sensitive nature. It bonds deeply with its immediate family yet tends to be aloof or wary around strangers and unfamiliar people, including children it does not know. Proper socialization from a very young age can help, but this breed thrives best in a quiet adult home rather than a busy family environment.
How much does a Azawakh puppy cost?
In the United Kingdom, a well-bred Azawakh puppy from a health-tested litter typically costs between 1,500 and 3,000 pounds, reflecting the breed's rarity. In Pakistan, prices generally range from 80,000 to 180,000 rupees depending on lineage and availability. In India, expect to pay approximately 60,000 to 150,000 rupees, though locating a reputable breeder may require significant research due to the breed's scarcity in South Asia.
Is Azawakh easy to train?
The Azawakh is not considered easy to train and is best suited to experienced dog owners who understand independent, primitive-type breeds. It is intelligent but responds poorly to repetitive or harsh training methods, requiring patience, positive reinforcement, and consistent early socialization. Basic obedience can be achieved, but recall training in open areas is particularly challenging given its strong sighthound prey drive.
What food is best for a Azawakh?
A high-quality dry kibble formulated for large active breeds works well for most adult Azawakhs, with protein from named meat sources listed as the primary ingredient. Because the breed has a naturally lean physique and a very low body fat percentage, owners should monitor weight carefully and avoid underfeeding, which can quickly lead to visible weight loss. Some owners feed a raw or fresh diet with veterinary guidance to support lean muscle mass and joint health.
Does Azawakh bark a lot?
The Azawakh is not an excessive barker and tends to be quiet and reserved in a settled home environment. It may bark to alert its owners to the presence of strangers, which makes it a capable watchdog, but it does not typically bark out of boredom the way many other large breeds do.
Can a Azawakh live in an apartment?
The Azawakh is not well suited to apartment living because it requires significant daily exercise including high-speed running in a safely enclosed space, which a typical apartment cannot provide. It does best in a home with a large, securely fenced yard where it can stretch its long legs and satisfy its natural instinct to sprint.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Azawakh is best suited to experienced dog owners who understand the breed's specific needs. With a lifespan of 12–15 years, high energy demands, and minimal grooming requirements, the Azawakh is better suited to adult households or families with older children.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the Azawakh will reward you with years of loyal companionship.