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Azawakh History

Bred by the Tuareg, Fula and various other nomads of the Sahara and sub-Saharan Sahel, this ancient breed is used there as a guard dog and to hunt gazelle and hare. The Sahel environment has ensured that only the most fit dogs survive and has accentuated the breed's ruggedness and independence. Unlike some other sighthounds, the Azawakh is more of a pack hunter and they bump down the quarry with hindquarters when it has been tired out. In role of a guard dog, if an Azawakh senses danger it will bark to alert the other members of the pack, and they will gather together as a pack under the lead of the alpha dog, then chase off or attack the predator. These dogs are extermely rare around the world, as well as their native Africa. The Azawakh was accepted into the AKC's Foundation Stock Services in 1998.

Azawakh Temperament

Azawakhs are very primitive in their temperaments, they have an intense suspicion of the unknown, a strong desire to dig dens, a strong pack instinct and strong protective instinct. The personalities of these dogs is also very diverse, some are very loving and affectionate while others are very dominant and aggressive. They generally bond intensely with their owners, but are very suspicious of strangers. They make good watchdogs and will sound the alarm when something is amiss. This breed has incredible endurance, they were bred to run for hours at a time in temperatures that would kill a Greyhound, so they need plenty of space to run and burn off energy. The Azawakh is a breed that is not recommended for a novice owner and is better left to an owner with good dog handling skills.

Azawakh Appearance

Azawakhs are a lightly built dog that usually weighs 30 to 55 pounds and stand 24 to 29 inches at the withers. They are a dog that has very little fat on it's body and most of the skeleton shows through the coat. Their coats are short, smooth and come in almost any colour.

Azawakh Grooming

This breed is fairly easy to keep, and a quick wipe down with a damp cloth will suffice. This is also considered a low shedding breed.

Azawakh Life Expectancy and Health Problems

Due to their almost feral lifestyle, these dogs are very hardy and healthy. Minor disease concerns are Hip Dysplasia and Epilepsy. The average lifespan of this breed is 11 to 13 years.

Azawakh Pros and Cons

This simplified list may help you decide if an Azawakh might be a good fit for your lifestyle.

Do You Want

• a rare dog?
• a dog that is atheletic and likes to run?
• a dog that makes a good watchdog?

Do You NOT Want

• a dog that is almost feral in nature?
• a dog that is very suspicious and nervous of anything unknown?
• a dog that digs?
• a dog that NEEDS a lot of exercise?
• a very rare dog that will be hard to find and very expensive to buy?

Useful Azawakh Links

The Azawakh Club USA

Tigidit Kennels