Azawakh
About the Azawakh
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 23-29" |
| Weight | 33-55 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $2,000-$3,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Azawakhs may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- First-Time Owners
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Azawakh
The story behind the Azawakh
Azawakh hounds developed among Tuareg, Fulani and other peoples of the Sahel, across a region spanning Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, including the Azawakh valley that gave the breed its name. These dogs lived closely with nomadic camps, coursing gazelle, hare and other game alongside hunters on horseback, and guarding tents and livestock against predators and intruders. Breeding was communal and functional, selecting for speed, heat tolerance, toughness on minimal food and protective temperament. European travellers and diplomats brought the first examples to Yugoslavia and France during the 1970s, and the FCI recognised the breed shortly afterward, with American recognition arriving much later. The Azawakh remains rare worldwide, kept by a small dedicated community for companionship, lure coursing and preservation, and it still works in parts of the Sahel.
Originally bred for: Hunting, Coursing, Guarding. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Azawakh
An extremely lean frame with minimal fat reserves needs a quality diet supplying good fat and digestible protein, and this hound should never be fed toward a covered outline, since visible hips are correct here. Divide meals, keep them unhurried, and raise intake in cold weather.
Watch for: Desert-adapted hounds are frequently described as economical, choosy eaters that meet abrupt dietary change with loose stools, and very rich foods do not suit every individual. The deep chest also favours calm feeding routines. A veterinarian should oversee transitions and any persistent problem.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Azawakh
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.