Azawakh

Is an Azawakh right for you?

The Azawakh is an extremely lean, muscular sighthound from West Africa's Sahel region (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso), capable of chasing game the size of a gazelle at speeds up to 65 km/h. Nomadic peoples such as the Tuareg, Peul, Bella, and Hausa bred it as both a hunter and a guardian — unlike most sighthounds, protection is baked into the Azawakh's origins.

The truth to settle before getting an Azawakh: this is not a lap dog, but a protector-hunter deeply attached to its own family and closed off to strangers. It may not show affection the way you'd expect, but it forms a quiet, intense bond.

Before you adopt

The Azawakh is an extremely rare breed in Turkey; you're very unlikely to find one through a shelter or rehoming channel. If considering a puppy from abroad, look for lines with hip and elbow evaluations and eye exams.

This breed carries very little body fat; visible ribs and hip bones are a normal feature of the breed, not a sign of illness. Trying to add extra weight is unhealthy for an Azawakh.

Temperament

The Azawakh bonds intensely with its family, has a strong memory, and is pack-oriented. It's reserved and wary of strangers; most individuals dislike being petted by someone they don't know. This is a selective style of affection, not aggression.

It's high-energy and has great stamina; its prey drive is very strong, and it can instantly chase a small moving animal — a cat, a rabbit, a street animal. At the same time it's a sensitive breed and can shut down in response to a harsh tone or rough handling.

It likes to sleep in a pile with its pack for warmth and doesn't enjoy being left alone.

Health issues and lifespan

Sources generally put the lifespan at 12 to 14 years.

• Hypothyroidism: Low thyroid hormone levels; shows up as weight gain, lethargy, skin and ear infections, and rarely seizures. Not curable, but manageable with medication.
• Masticatory muscle myositis: An immune-mediated inflammation of the jaw and head muscles; signs include difficulty opening the mouth and a sudden drop in appetite, requiring urgent veterinary care.
• Hip and elbow dysplasia: A joint development disorder that can cause lameness and joint pain later in life.
• Eye problems: Reported in some individuals; regular eye exams are recommended.
• Cardiac issues and autoimmune conditions: Reported in a limited number of cases; the breed's small, closed gene pool makes tracking harder, so health data for this breed is more limited than for common breeds.

Feeding

An adult Azawakh (15-25 kg) eats two meals a day of a quality, AAFCO-compliant food.

• Puppy (2-12 months): Large-breed puppy food; because this is a fast-growing, lean-framed breed, avoid excess calories and calcium.
• Adult: Naturally carries very little fat; ribs being slightly visible is normal for this breed, so there's no need to overfeed.
• Senior (8+ years): Review portions with small adjustments based on calorie needs.

Feeding-guide amounts on the bag are a starting point; adjust to body condition, since in this breed even a "slightly overweight" look is already more than it should carry.

Grooming and coat

Very short, fine coat with minimal shedding.

• A soft brush or a damp cloth once a week is enough.
• Baths are rarely needed; the thin coat dries quickly.
• Because of the thin coat and low body fat, a coat/jacket is recommended for cold-weather outings.
• Check nails regularly; an active breed may wear them down naturally, but checks are still needed.
• Ears and teeth follow a standard routine.

Training and exercise

Daily need: free running in a secure, fenced area plus 45-60 minutes of walking. The Azawakh is a sighthound built for short, explosive sprints rather than sustained running, and looks for brief bursts of intense activity.

Priorities:

1. Socialization (8-16 weeks). Early, positive experiences help balance its naturally aloof nature and prevent excessive shyness.
2. A secure area. Given its strong prey drive, never let it off-lead in an unfenced space — a sighthound will instantly chase anything that moves.
3. Gentle, respectful training. Because it's sensitive, harsh methods backfire; a patient, reward-based approach works.
4. Recall. A life-saving basic command in a breed with such a strong prey drive.
5. Building the bond at home. This breed invests in its family, not in strangers; a patient, consistent relationship deepens into real devotion over time.

History

The Azawakh takes its name from the Azawagh Valley on the border of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. It has been bred for centuries by peoples of the Sahel region, chiefly the Tuareg, along with the Peul, Bella, and Hausa.

Unlike most Western sighthounds, the Azawakh's primary job was not just hunting but also guarding the camp and the herd — which explains the breed's wariness toward strangers and protectiveness toward its own family. It was selected to chase prey like gazelle and hare at high speed.

It was introduced to the West in the 1970s through French diplomats and was fully recognized by the American Kennel Club in the Hound Group in 2019. It remains rare in Europe and North America; the range of colors accepted in the original African populations is broader than the official color list in Western standards.