Azawakh
About Azawakh
If you're seeking a loyal yet independent companion, the Azawakh might just be your perfect match. This elegant sighthound features long legs and a slender, graceful frame that speaks to its origins as a desert hunter in West Africa. Known for their reserved nature around strangers, Azawakhs are incredibly devoted to their families and can form strong bonds with children and other pets.
These active dogs require about 60 to 90 minutes of exercise daily, thriving in spaces where they can sprint and explore. With a short coat that sheds minimally, grooming is a breeze—just a weekly brush with a soft bristle brush will do. While they are intelligent, Azawakhs can be a bit stubborn, so positive reinforcement and consistency are key to effective training.
They typically weigh between 33 to 55 pounds and stand 23 to 29 inches tall, with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Keep an eye on their health, particularly joint and heart issues. If you’re ready for a devoted, agile partner who will keep you on your toes, the Azawakh is ready to race into your life.
Interesting Facts
The Azawakh is a sighthound dog breed from Africa primarily associated with nomadic tribes around the Sahara Desert. This breed is incredibly rare in America, as less than a thousand are estimated to be in the country.
Known for its exceptional speed and agility, the Azawakh can reach speeds up to 40 mph almost instantly. This quickness results from a unique adaptation to chase and catch gazelles and other fast prey across the desert terrains.
Despite their slender frame, Azawakhs are known for their exceptional stamina. They were bred to travel long distances in extreme heat, covering 30 miles a day in the Saharan heat.
Azawakhs have a unique appearance with incredibly slim bodies and a visible rib cage, which is not a sign of malnourishment but rather a trait developed for survival in harsh conditions of the Sahel region.
The Azawakh breed is deeply valued among the Tuareg people— so much so that they refer to them as ‘idii n’ illeli’, which means 'sighthound of the free people.' They have been an integral part of nomadic life, serving as both hunters and guard dogs for centuries.
Bred by Tuareg nomads across the Sahel, the Azawakh guarded camps and hunted fleet gazelles, originating around the Azawagh Valley.
Its incredibly low body fat and tall, leggy frame keep it desert-cool; visible ribs are normal health, but cold demands sweaters.
It has an elastic, upright trot that seems to hover; as a sighthound it unleashes blistering, ground-eating gallops across open country.
Reserved with strangers yet intensely devoted to its people, the Azawakh combines cat-like independence with vigilant guarding instincts and affectionate, sofa-cuddling loyalty.
Coats are short and low-maintenance in nearly any color, often with white trim; the breed gained relatively recent American Kennel Club recognition.
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