About the breed
The Azawakh Greyhound is a breed of greyhound, originating from Africa. They have been used as hunting and guard dogs for centuries, because although they do not have as high a speed as other greyhounds, they are able to withstand high temperatures and are very robust.
These dogs are surprisingly intelligent, hardy and fast dogs that combine hunting qualities with the characteristics of an excellent guard dog and a great friend. Specimens of the breed are very serious and interesting at the same time. Additionally, the Azawakh Greyhound needs training, which is a fascinating process through which the owner reveals the multifaceted nature of the animal.
Azawakh
The Azawakh, originally from West Africa, is a slender, elegant sighthound known for its speed and agility. Bred to hunt and herd livestock, they are independent, aloof and loyal to their family. Azawakhs form strong bonds with their owners but can be wary of strangers. They require regular exercise and mental stimulation to thrive and are best suited to experienced dog owners who understand their unique needs and temperament.
Breed at a Glance
- Origin: West Africa (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso)
- Size: Medium to Large
- Weight: 33-55 lbs
- Head shape: Long
- Lifespan: 11-13 years
- Coat Type: Short, fine, and smooth
- Colors: Fawn, brindle, sand, red, white, blue, or a mix, often with white markings
- Temperament: Aloof, loyal, independent, protective, and affectionate with family
- Grooming Needs: Low; occasional brushing to remove dead hair
- Exercise Needs: High; requires plenty of daily exercise, including running
- Best For: Active individuals or families, experienced dog owners, homes with large outdoor spaces
The breed standard
The Azawakh is a slender and elegant short-haired greyhound. They are known for their speed, agility and loyalty. Azawakhs are independent, aloof and form close bonds with their families.
The Azawakh Greyhound looks very similar to other greyhounds, particularly the Sloughi. They are quite large dogs, males at the withers reach 74 cm and 25 kg, females 55-60 cm and 22 kg
Exercise Requirements
Compassion for the owner
Friendship with strangers
Energy level
Playfulness
With other pets
Breed Characteristics
With family
Relationships with children depend on each particular dog, when they grow up together, The Azawakh greyhound is friendly with children. However, running and screaming can activate the hunter instinct, chasing and knocking down. In addition, dogs that are new to children are very suspicious of them, do not like noise and sudden movements. These are not the type of dogs that appreciate invasion of privacy, mistreatment and noise.
Most members of the breed can be trained to ignore small animals like cats. However, they have a very strong hunting instinct that is virtually uncontrollable. They will chase any animal within sight, and even if they are friends with a domestic cat, they may attack and overtake the neighbor’s cat.
Physical qualities
Azawakh actually has a slim and tall figure. It has a long and elegant muzzle. The coastal part of the head is long and slightly pointed. The tail of the Azawakh Greyhound lengthens in harmony with the rest of the head and tapers towards the ears next to the eyes. The nose is black and the nostrils are clearly visible. Its tongue is generally medium sized and has a smooth structure. The color of the tongue is usually dark, indicating that the Azawakh’s head has a graceful, streamlined structure.
Its ears are thin and triangular in shape. The ears placed on the sides of the head allow careful observation. These plants can follow what is happening around them with temperatures.
The Azawakh’s eyes are almond-shaped and usually dark in color. These eyes offer a deep expression and sharp vision. The eyes help these dogs track their targets while hunting. A black mask may be present around the eyes and the facial expression is usually alert and attractive.
Dogs’ teeth are large and strong. The only acceptable bite is a scissor bite.
The Azawakh Greyhound actually has a slim and long build, but sleek and sleek. Azawakh’s muscles are clearly visible beneath his thin regiment. This shows that the dog has a strong and durable constitution. These muscles are the equipment for running fast and catching the target when hunting. The Azawakh’s rib cage is quite deep. Its body attracts attention with its soft, S-shaped lines. Physically, it reflects the characteristics of hunting dogs.
The coat is made up of a thin and ultra-short spine. Fur on the stomach is either less common than on other areas or completely absent.
Forelegs
The long, thin-boned forelimbs have well-defined joints and tendons. The cat’s rounded paws are well pigmented at the pads.
The hind limbs
Remarkable for its dryness and length. The hocks are placed as close to the ground as possible, and the stifles as far away as possible.
The Azawakh has a fine coat and its colors are quite diverse. It has any color or combination of colors, from red to light brown, mottled, partially colored (mostly white), blue, black and brown. He may have a black mask on his head. Having or not having blackness on the head is not a defect. White markings may be visible on the legs, bib and tip of the tail. There must necessarily be a white “sock” on each of the four limbs, at least as a mark on the feet. There are no color or marking disqualifications in the breed. Black spots are also accepted.
Life expectancy
Standards and Classifications
The Azawakh is recognized by major kennel clubs around the world, including the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
What to Expect When Caring for a Azawakh
Caring for a dog involves daily exercise, regular feeding, grooming and veterinary care. Expect camaraderie, loyalty and joy, as well as responsibilities such as training, cleaning up after themselves and providing a safe environment.
The health of the Azawakh Greyhound is strong, puppies become reliable and hardy hunters with virtually invulnerable immunity to most infections. The only weakness of the breed is instability to cold winters, due to which hereditary and acquired diseases can be aggravated against the background of improper care or unbalanced nutrition.
The most common diseases of the African greyhound recorded by veterinarians:
- Hip dysplasia (in puppies from the French line);
- Epileptic syncope (hereditary pathology of
- Yugoslav nurseries);
Hypothyroidism ; - Heart failure from 5 years old.
There is no need to take care of the African wolfhound like other brothers’ dogs – the pet is unpretentious in everyday life, but this does not mean at all that you can forget about it during one week. This is especially true for exhibition specimens, which are subject to increased requirements. To meet them, the owner must remember the following things:
Azawakh’s eyes are the most vulnerable place due to the specific structure of the eyelids. For the prevention of losses, it is advisable to use special drops once a week.
Combing – only with special silicone gloves. Extremely short coats rarely shed, but rubbing the dead areas twice a month won’t hurt.
African Greyhounds are very fond of swimming and will happily dive into the nearest accessible body of water. At the same time, it is recommended to wash with shampoo no more than once every three weeks.
In winter and outside the cool season, it is better to buy an insulated waterproof cape for the Azawakh Greyhound. Not the fact that he will like it, he will have to get used to it.
You can meet the exercise needs of the Azawakh breed with 75-minute activities or daily walks of 3 to 3.5 kilometers. On walks, you can encourage your dog to explore new places, which helps with his mental stimulation.
Due to the Azawakh greyhound’s strong hunting power and instinct, it is recommended not to walk without a leash. Wearing a leash keeps him under control and ensures safety. You can only leave your dog off-leash in your garden, in areas where security measures have been taken, and where he can exercise alone, surrounded by fences.
Azawakhs are primarily outdoor dogs and are best suited to living in homes with access to a large, secure, fenced yard where they can run and explore. They have high energy levels and need plenty of space to exercise. Although they can adapt to apartment living with regular, vigorous outdoor activities, they are happiest when they have plenty of space to move around freely. Indoor environments should provide them with comfort and warmth.
Character and behavior
First of all, what you need to know is emotional sensitivity and detachment from everyone in general. An exception can only be the owner – if you managed to become a leader, a friend and just a good owner for the animal. Greyhound Azawakh is a typical representative of pets, choosing a person for themselves, to whom he devotes himself exclusively.
The Azawakh Greyhound forms a very strong attachment to one person, although it is normal to have relationships with other members of the family. They rarely show their emotions, and most of the time quite closed off, like to spend time doing their own thing.
Sensitive, alert, territorial, these dogs are excellent watchdogs, ready to make noise at the slightest danger. Despite the fact that they prefer to contain the threat, if circumstances demand it, they will attack.
Sociality
Relationship with the human family
Attitude towards loneliness
Tendency to bark
Friendship with dogs
Adaptability
City life
Suitable as a first dog
Tolerance to hot temperatures
Cold temperature tolerance
Price and budget
Here’s an overview of the Azawakh dog prices and estimated annual maintenance costs across various countries:
| Country | Purchase Price (Mini) | Purchase Price (Maxi) | Annual Maintenance (Mini) | Annual Maintenance (Maxi) |
| France | €1,200 | €2,500 | €800 | €1,500 |
| Canada | CAD 1,500 | CAD 3,500 | CAD 1,200 | CAD 2,000 |
| Belgium | €1,200 | €2,800 | €900 | €1,600 |
| Switzerland | CHF 1,500 | CHF 3,500 | CHF 1,200 | CHF 2,000 |
| USA | $1,500 | $3,500 | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Germany | €1,200 | €2,800 | €900 | €1,800 |
Explanation
- Purchase Price: The cost of acquiring an Azawakh puppy from a reputable breeder. Prices vary based on the breeder’s reputation, pedigree, and location.
- Mini: The lower end of the price range, typically for standard-quality Azawakhs.
- Maxi: The higher end, often for show-quality or champion bloodline Azawakhs.
- Annual Maintenance Cost: Includes food, veterinary care, grooming, insurance, and general upkeep.
- Mini: Basic care, assuming a standard diet and regular vet visits.
- Maxi: Premium care, including high-end food, vet visits, grooming, and potential health insurance.
The Azawakh is a rare and unique breed, and costs can fluctuate depending on availability and the dog’s specific needs. The maintenance is relatively moderate compared to other large breeds due to their slender frame and low grooming requirements.
History of the breed
The Azawakh Greyhound is such an ancient breed that it is now impossible to trace its origin. Perhaps they trace their lineage directly from domesticated wolves in preglacial times. One way or another, the breed is already about 15,000 years old. Moreover, throughout this period, dogs lived in isolation and, if they interbred, then with other greyhounds that once existed on the Black Continent – in particular, it is known that ancient pharaohs at different times sent research expeditions deep into the continent, so Egyptian or otherwise dogs contributed to the formation of many African breeds, including the Basenji and perhaps the Azawakh. However, we can only assume all this, since the peoples who inhabited the Sahel (the transition region between the Sahara and the more fertile lands to the south) have not only mostly disappeared from the face of the earth, but have not did not even leave behind any written documents.
One way or another, in the harsh climate of Central Africa, a very unusual dog was formed over the millennia, capable of easily withstanding excessively high temperatures and lack of water.
Until recently, nothing was known about Azawakh Greyhounds on other continents, until several of these dogs arrived in Europe in the 70s of the last century. African greyhounds quickly gained popularity, but more because of their exotic appearance and independence than the working qualities that these gazelle hunters simply had nowhere to apply in a foreign climate.