With an appearance similar to that of a Greyhound, the Azawakh is a sighthound that hails from the Sahara, where this ancient breed was originally raised to work as a hunter, livestock guardian, and herder. While it might look like a Greyhound and is a very agile dog, it can’t reach the same kind of top speeds. But it is built for endurance and has greater stamina. These dogs are well suited to owners looking for a jogging companion or who are willing to put some time and effort into canine sports.

The breed was only recently accepted into the American Kennel Club’s list of recognized breeds and is rarely found outside its homeland, but it is gaining in popularity, and its nature and attractive looks mean that it is likely to gain in popularity further.

Breed Overview

The Azawakh is a sighthound, which means it uses its sense of sight to spot prey and then relies on its physical endurance and athleticism to chase prey down. Owners who want to keep this breed as a pet need to be aware of these traits and find ways to meet the dog’s needs.

These dogs aren’t recommended for first-time or novice owners. As well as needing lots of exercise, owners need to be on their toes. The sighthound will chase pretty much anything that moves and, somewhat unlike the Greyhound which is known for being the world’s fastest couch potato, the Azawakh is lively and energetic, all the time.

Its speed might also be the reason that the Azawakh doesn’t seem to listen to commands the first time, so it takes a steady and experienced hand to get the most out of training sessions.

Azawakh Dog Breed Characteristics

Azawakh Puppies

The Azawakh is rare in Europe and North America, which means you will have your work cut out trying to find breeders. Do your research when opting for a breeder to help ensure they offer healthy and well-adjusted puppies and don’t mistreat the mother or her young. Ask any questions you have about the breed as well as the puppy itself and its parents. Ask about health screening, whether the puppy will be microchipped when you receive it, and ensure that you can meet the puppy you want before committing to buying.

Because the breed is rare, it is unlikely that you will find Azawakhs in shelters, but it is possible. Dogs in shelters can have complex backgrounds. The Azawakh is not usually an aggressive breed unless it feels it has to defend itself, but you should still try and get as much background information about the specific dog you are interested in before agreeing to adopt.

The shelter will know how the dog reacts when under stress and should have a decent understanding of how it reacts to people, dogs, and potentially even cats and other animals.

The Azawakh is an energetic dog that needs a lot of exercise, each day. It also needs consistent training as well as early and ongoing socialization. This means that you will need to start training and socializing as soon as you get your new puppy home.

Azawakh Dog Breed Origin & History

The Azawakh hails from the Sahara and was first raised by the nomadic people of the region to hunt, tend livestock, and protect them from wild predators. They were bred several hundred years ago and are still used today.

But, despite their popularity in the region, they did not really leave the country until the 1970s, when they were introduced to France and Yugoslavia. The breed made its way to the U.S. in the 1980s and was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 2019, making them a recent addition to the club’s list of accepted breeds.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Azawakh Dog Breed

Having been bred as a multi-purpose working dog by the people of the Sahara, the Azawakh is a working dog. As well as being used to hunt, they were also used to protect livestock and even for some herding. They are lively and energetic dogs, although they will stretch out and relax with their owners in the evenings. They need an outlet for that energy, otherwise their frustrations can manifest as difficult and unwanted behaviors.

Once these dogs accept you as family, they will form a very close bond, but they can be somewhat aloof with strangers, thanks to their breeding as a guardian. Early socialization and ongoing positive training methods will help.

The breed needed to be independent, and it retains this independent streak today. This, combined with high energy levels, means that the Azawakh can be difficult to manage, and the breed isn’t generally recommended for first-time owners.

The slender but leggy build and the high energy level also mean that the breed is not ideally suited to life in a small apartment. If you do keep one in an apartment, be prepared to offer lots of indoor play, interactive toys, and plenty of daily exercise outside.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

The Azawakh is an affectionate dog, once it gets to know you and accepts you as family. They will also get along with children but are lively dogs that can be prone to fits of giddiness, which means that they might not be the best choice for families with small or very young children.

The breed can also be aloof with strangers, and while it isn’t usually aggressive, its guarding instincts will need to be watched. This is especially true if you have children, and they have friends over to play. Otherwise, the Azawakh will enjoy the company of older kids who are happy to play and will enjoy spending time, especially on walks and hikes, with adult owners.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

These sighthounds have a very high prey drive and will usually give chase to anything that moves and catches their eye. This can include small animals that are usually in cages or enclosures, but it can also include cats and even some smaller dogs.

When raised together with other pets and kept from a young age, they can form a very close bond with other household pets. They will usually get along with other dogs of a similar size or larger and may appreciate having a playmate who is willing to get involved in their games.

Whatever age the Azawakh and any other pets, make introductions gradually. Give them time to get used to one another and never simply throw them together in the hope they will sort out their differences.

Things to Know When Owning an Azawakh:

Lively, energetic, but potentially aloof with strangers, the Azawakh can make a great pet for the right owners, especially those who have the time to offer lots of exercise. However, the breed isn’t the best choice for all owners. Below, we look at what you need to know when considering this breed so you can determine whether this sighthound is the right choice for you and your family.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Diet is as important to dogs as it is to people or any other animal. Nutrition is directly linked to health and general well-being, and you must choose a food and feeding schedule that best fits your Azawakh’s needs.

If choosing a dry kibble, expect to feed between 2 and 2.5 cups of food per day. This can be split evenly over two or even three meals. Dry food stays fresher for longer and it has a longer shelf life. It also causes less mess and can be less expensive than wet food.

If you feed a canned food, follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging. These are usually based on the weight of your dog or, in the case of puppy food, the expected adult weight. You may need to feed slightly more or less depending on whether your dog is more or less active and any health problems it has. Always follow your vet’s guidance if they have advised a type or amount of food to give.

Treats can make good training aids, but they shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Choose a healthy snack and consider those that are fortified with vitamins and minerals or that help maintain good dental health.

Exercise 🐕

The Azawakh was bred as a working dog breed. Specifically, it worked as a sighthound for hunting small prey. It also acted as a livestock guardian and even undertook some herding responsibilities. This means that the breed is active and energetic.

While it has a similar appearance and build to the Greyhound, it can’t reach the same kind of top speeds as its sighthound counterpart. But it has more stamina and staying power.

Provide a minimum of 90 minutes of exercise a day. Some of this can consist of long walks and hikes, but you will need to find other ways to exercise your Azawakh. If you don’t have a secure place for your Azawakh to run off-leash, such as an enclosed garden, consider signing up for a canine sports event. Taking part in something like humane coursing can help develop a bond between the two of you while also providing the exercise your dog needs.

Training 🎾

The breed is independent, and its lively nature means that it can be easily distracted during training sessions. Therefore, training isn’t as easy as with some other breeds. However, they do relish praise and rewards, which will help when it comes to training. Use this to your advantage and combine it with positive reinforcement and positive training techniques. Sign up for puppy classes while your dog is still young. This not only helps teach you and your dog the basics of training, but it also allows you to start socializing your dog.

Socialization is vital to a dog’s development, especially with breeds like the Azawakh, which can be aloof around strangers. Outside puppy classes, you can continue with socialization by taking your dog to the local dog park and on a good variety of different walks. Ensure you expose them to different groups of people, for example, people in uniform, cyclists and joggers, and others.

Training and socialization should continue throughout your dog’s life and will make all of your lives easier.

Grooming ✂️

The short coat of the Azawakh means that it has very low maintenance and grooming requirements. You will benefit from giving a regular brushing, however, as it helps to remove dead hairs before they are allowed to fall on furniture and clothing.

Claws need to be trimmed when you can hear them clicking on hard surfaces. This generally means trimming every 2 or 3 months, although it can differ from one dog to the next. Teeth also need regular brushing. Many adult dogs suffer dental problems, most of which can be avoided by brushing your dog’s teeth at least three times a week.

Finally, check inside the ears and give your dog a good examination every couple of weeks. This will enable you to spot any injuries or early signs of illness.

Health and Conditions 🏥

The breed is rare, which means there is a shallow gene pool, and this raises the likelihood of Azawakhs developing certain hereditary conditions. In particular, they are prone to auto-immune disorders including hypothyroidism. If you see signs of any of the following conditions, visit your vet and have them check your dog out to be sure.

Male vs Female

Male dogs typically grow larger and heavier than their female counterparts. They are also more likely to be territorial or aggressive, but they can be more loving and playful. Generally, however, it is the individual character of the dog that determines its traits, which means that upbringing, socialization, and training are more important than whether a dog is male or female.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Azawakh Dog Breed

1. The Azawakh Is Considered an Ancient Breed

The breed was first bred in the Sahara hundreds of years ago and is still popular in the region. It didn’t make its way to Europe until the 1970s and only found its way to the U.S. in the 1980s. It was only recognized by the AKC a few years ago.

2. It Prefers Hot Climates

Having been bred in the hot climate of the Sahara, the breed prefers life in a hot climate. In fact, if you keep an Azawakh in a cold country, it may have to wear a sweater during the cold winter months.

3. Azawakhs Can Be Aloof with Strangers

Originally bred as a livestock guardian, the Azawakh can be wary of strangers. Ensure yours is well socialized from a young age by introducing it to new people in your home, as well as outside the home, and continue with this socialization throughout its life.

Final Thoughts

The Azawakh is a rare breed in North America and Europe and the sighthound may not be the best choice of dog breed for the novice owner. However, this lively breed will flourish when given the best home life, and will make an excellent exercise companion for walkers, runners, and those who are willing to partake in canine sports events.

The sighthound does have a high prey drive, however, which means it will chase small animals and may even chase cats and some smaller dogs. It does require exercise and socialization, but the Azawakh’s grooming requirements are minimal.

Featured Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock