The Azawakh is a slender, elegant, large breed dog developed by the nomadic tribes of several western Saharan countries, but is still uncommon in Europe and North America. They are sighthounds, bred as guard dogs and hunting dogs, and able to run up to 40 mph in pursuit of gazelles and hares. In temperament, they have been compared to cats because of their independent nature and shyness around strangers. They are best suited to experienced dog owners without children who can provide consistent training and opportunities for frequent vigorous exercise.
3 Pros and Cons of Owning Azawakhs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Do not need grooming. Azawakhs have short-haired coats of red, black, blue, brindle, brown, golden, gray, or white. They shed moderately, but their coats do not require anything beyond a weekly brushing. They do not smell and do not need frequent bathing. | Require a lot of exercise. These are highly energetic dogs that need frequent vigorous exercise. They are not suitable for apartments or families with a sedentary lifestyle. They also will not run around to exercise themselves without another dog or human in their presence. |
| A rare, exotic breed. Azawakhs are still relatively unknown in Europe and North America. Their elegance and grace and their origin in the Sahara are likely to inspire a great deal of attention and conversation. | Need careful training. Azawakhs are independent-minded dogs that can be difficult to train. Patient, intentional training is essential; otherwise, they may not get along well with children and other pets. |
| Intelligent and dignified. The manner of an Azawakh is self-assured, alert, and dignified. They are highly intelligent. They can be reserved with strangers. These characteristics have led some to describe them as “cat-like.” | Variable temperaments. The temperament of this breed is not consistent across individuals. The aggression level of these dogs can vary considerably depending on their genetics and training. |
The Best Dog Food For Azawakhs
Azawakhs should have a balanced diet of high-quality dog food fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. It’s important to monitor their weight under a veterinarian’s supervision to make sure they do not get overweight. Remember, these dogs have thin skin that shows their frames and musculature. At a healthy weight, you should be able to see their ribs.
Azawakhs are an energetic breed, so make sure the food you choose has a high meat content to satisfy their protein needs. They can eat a high-quality wet or dry dog food as well as fresh meat in moderation. Meat broth can also be added to dry food to make it tastier.
Size and Weight
The Azawakh is a tall, slender dog with a height ranging from 25 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder for males and 23.5 to 27.5 inches tall for females. Males weigh anywhere from 44 to 55 pounds at maturity, while females are smaller, at 33 to 44 pounds.
Common Health Issues
This is a generally healthy breed, but they should be screened for possible issues with hypothyroidism, seizures, cardiac problems, and autoimmune diseases. Owners should be aware that at a healthy weight, an adult Azawakh will appear very slender, with its bone and muscle structure visible through thin skin. Owners unfamiliar with the breed may overfeed them.
Temperament and Behavior
Some of the positive personality traits associated with Azawakhs are independence, loyalty, and deep affection. There can be a wide variation in their personality depending upon their genetics, training, and socialization. With proper training, they can be good with children and other pets, but they can be difficult to train because of their independent-mindedness.
They also require a great deal of exercise with personal interaction with their owner or other humans or pets. This is a behavior that will appeal to active pet owners but be a difficult trait for those who do not have the time or energy to devote daily attention to their pet.
How To Take Care of Azawakhs
Three young Azawakh (African Sighthounds) standing together amongst the stone columns of a historic building. This rare breed of dogs emerged from Africa 8,000 years ago.
©iStock.com/animalinfo
Maintenance and Grooming
Azawakhs have a short coat that does not shed very much and requires minimal grooming. It’s enough to brush them once a week with a soft-bristle brush or grooming mitt. They do not smell and do not require frequent baths. Even when they get muddy, it is often sufficient to allow the mud to dry and then brush it out of their coats. As with all breeds, they should receive regular nail-trimming and tooth-brushing to remain healthy.
Training
This breed requires patient training from early in its life, ideally from an experienced trainer who uses positive, reward-based techniques. As an intelligent and independent-minded breed, they do not respond well to harsh or punitive training methods. They can be more challenging to train than similar breeds, but with a knowledgeable and caring owner, their energy and intelligence can be directed in constructive ways.
Exercise
Azawakhs need daily vigorous exercise, running or playing in a fenced yard or park. They hunt in packs in their natural environment. This means if left outside without humans or other dogs, they will not self-exercise. They will enjoy any kind of tasks that require agility, hunting, and problem-solving.
Azawakhs and Children
Azawakhs may not be the best option for families with children. Their temperaments differ from one dog to the next, from gentle, affectionate lapdogs to fiercely overprotective guard dogs. Raising them with children from puppyhood, with careful training and socialization, can help them be better pets for families. Puppies showing dominant traits should not be in families with children or other pets.
Dogs similar to Azawakhs
- Greyhound: Greyhounds are quite similar in appearance to the Azawakh. Although they are known as the fastest dog breed, surprisingly, they do not require more than a 20-30 minute walk a day.
- Whippet: This breed was developed in Victorian England for rabbit hunting. It is a fast-running sighthound like the Azawakh. This breed is more established and predictable as a family pet.
- Saluki: The Saluki is a sighthound like the Azawakh, but it is native to the Middle East. It is similar in size and body structure but has long fur on its ears, tail, and the backs of its legs.
Azawakh Pictures
View all of our Azawakh pictures in the gallery.
otsphoto/Shutterstock.com
Sources
- Wikipedia.com / Accessed November 11, 2022
- Petplan / Accessed November 11, 2022
- Dog Breed Info / Accessed November 11, 2022
- American Kennel Club / Accessed November 11, 2022
- Pet Net ID / Accessed November 11, 2022
