Azawakh stands out as a unique and striking breed with its long legs, lean build, and large, expressive eyes. Officially recognized as a new breed in the AKC’s hound group in January 2019, the Azawakh hails from West Africa, where these dogs have long served as hunters, guardians, and herders.
Azawakh first made its way to the United States in the 1980s, where it has since garnered admiration for its speed, energy, and deep loyalty. Azwaka has a profound devotion and affection toward its human family members. It cherishes love and affection. Yet, Azawakh requires early training and socialization to develop into a well-balanced dog.
Azawakh’s Physical Features
The Azawakh is a tall, medium-sized dog with a slender build and strikingly long legs. At first glance, they may resemble Greyhounds, but they are more closely related to Sloughis and Salukis, which are also members of the hound group.
Azawakh males stands between 25 and 29 inches tall. Females are usually a couple of inches shorter. Males weigh between 44 and 55 pounds, and females weigh from 33 to 44 pounds.
Azawakhs are fast. It makes them well-suited for hunting fast-moving animals like rabbits and gazelles in their native West Africa. “The gait is light, and they appear to float over the ground,” says Deb Kidwell, secretary of the American Azawakh Association. “The gallop is leaping, similar to a deer. While they may not be as fast as a Greyhound, they possess incredible endurance.”
Experts describe the Azawakh as elegant and exotic. “The tail is long, thin, and tapered; it is set low but carried above the level of the back when the dog is excited. The head is long, narrow, lean, and chiseled, with a long, straight muzzle. The eyes are large and almond-shaped. The ears are high-set and triangular with slightly rounded tips,” explains Gina DiNardo, executive secretary of the American Kennel Club (AKC) in New York City.
The Azawakh also features a deep chest and prominent hip bones, with visible bones and muscles beneath their thin skin.
Their coat is short, and it may be nearly nonexistent on the belly. The AKC standard allows for all colors, color combinations, and markings, as limiting genetic diversity can be detrimental to the breed, according to Kidwell. Common Azawakh colors include red, brown, black, gray, and white.
Personality and Temperament
Azawakh are high affection and loyal “The bond with the owner is unmatched. The Azawakh’s devotion to their owner or family is legendary,” says Kidwell.
However, this affection is only for family members. Azawakhs tend to be aloof or avoidant with strangers. Early and consistent socialization is crucial for raising a well-rounded pet. Some Azawakhs may never accept a stranger’s touch or close presence.
These dogs possess a high level of energy and endurance. “A bored Azawakh is not a good thing! The owner of an Azawakh needs to provide adequate exercise and interaction for the breed. They settle down as house dogs once they meet their exercise” says Kidwell.
Azawakhs are complex, intelligent, but does not suit for everyone. “They aren’t the easiest breed to live with if you don’t understand their basic emotional need to be close to their person and to be a beloved and cherished family member,” Kidwell notes.
If you wish to be an Azawakh owner, you should thoroughly research the breed and speak at length with a reputable breeder before committing to an Azawakh. “It’s easy to become enamored with the exotic beauty of the Azawakh. However, you must examine whether you deserve to be an Azawakh owner, considering both the pros and cons of living with the breed,” Kidwell advises.
How to Care For Azawakh
Given their intelligence and independence, Azawakhs require early training. “Early socialization and puppy training classes with a trainer who uses a positive approach are recommended. The Azawakh possesses a significant amount of dignity and does not respond well to harsh or punishment-based training, which can lead to a hound who is either broken in spirit, aggressive, or unmanageable,” says DiNardo.
The Azawakh’s coat is fine and requires minimal upkeep. “A weekly once-over with a soft bristle brush, a rubber grooming mitt, or a hound glove is usually sufficient to keep the coat in good condition,” DiNardo adds.
Train Azawakh !
Positive, reward-based training with gentle but firm corrections can result in an obedient, affectionate, and loyal Azawakh.
These are highly energetic and rugged dogs that need regular exercise, including long walks, daily opportunities to run in securely fenced areas, and daily activities with their owners. Without regular exercise, they can become lethargic or exhibit destructive behavior.
Exercise should be interactive. “Leaving an Azawakh alone in a yard, expecting them to exercise themselves without a playmate or owner interaction, is not ideal,” Kidwell emphasizes.
While Kidwell has a large yard for her Azawakhs to play, run, and exercise, she notes that they also need to visit other places to maintain their socialization skills. Group walks with other dog lovers at local parks are excellent opportunities for this.
Taking your Azawakh on car rides, even if just for errands, can also help them become well-adjusted and happy. However, some Azawakhs may prefer to stay home with their family. “These dogs would love to live in a vacuum with their family. It’s the conundrum of living with this breed,” Kidwell says.
Azawakhs are native to West Africa and tolerate heat, but they are sensitive to damp and cold weather. Thus you should consider when planning their exercise routine.
They do not tolerate long hours in dog crates. If you work an eight- to 10-hour day, a dog walker or doggy daycare would be a good alternative. An Azawakh confined to a crate for long periods may become neurotic and could soil the crate or injure themselves trying to escape.
Health
The Azawakh is generally considered a healthy breed with a lifespan of 10 to 13 years, given optimal care.
The most common health issues in the breed include hypothyroidism, seizures, masticatory myositis (a condition that makes it extremely painful for a dog to open its mouth), and a spinal condition known as spondylosis. “Hip dysplasia and bloat are virtually unknown in the breed, but they could happen,” says Kidwell.
You may work with a breeder who tests their Azawakhs before breeding. Recommended tests include CBC and Super Chem blood tests, a full thyroid profile, X-rays for hip and elbow dysplasia, and heart and eye tests.
Kidwell suggests waiting until the dogs are fully mature before breeding them to ensure that no seizures are present. Azawakhs should also undergo DNA testing before breeding to maintain genetic diversity and prevent excessive inbreeding.
Conclusion With Their History and Background
Azawakhs are sighthounds that descended from the free-roaming dogs of the Saharan Sahel region of West Africa. “The breed takes its name from the area’s Azawakh Valley,” DiNardo explains.
The Azawakh is the only sighthound breed indigenous to this region. In the Sahel, they are multipurpose hounds, most commonly used as village and flock guards, as well as hunters of game such as rabbits, gazelles, and jackals. Azawakhs are also employed for herding flocks of sheep, goats, and zebu cattle.
To this day, Azawakhs are still used for these purposes in various African countries. They are considered more than just workers; they are prized family members who live under the same roof as their owners.
