Azawakh Complete Breed Guide

The Azawakh is a skinny speedster who was bred to take down game for their nomadic owners. They develop deep bonds with their human families, but are distrustful of strangers. Azawakhs grow so close to their owners that it’s nearly impossible to place them in a new home at an older age. Only choose an Azawakh if you are committed to owning your dog for life.

The Azawakh is a blazing fast dog that was bred to chase down game for nomadic African tribes. Their skin stretches tightly over their muscles and bones, and they appear to be dangerously skinny even when they are perfectly healthy. The Azawakh develops deep connections with their owners, but takes a long time to adjust to new people or new situations. They also have a very high prey drive, and will take off like lightning if they see something they want to chase. Although they are very fast, Azawakhs will be happy to sit around on the couch for most of the day once they’ve gotten their exercise quota.

Lifestyle & Living Conditions

The most important thing about choosing an Azawakh is that you plan to keep it for life. They can thrive in many different living situations as long as they get their daily exercise, although they prefer a place with easy access to a fenced-in, safe place to run. At the end of the day, the Azawakh is a dog that needs to be allowed to live indoors with you and your family. Azawakhs aren't usually great at making friends with children and small pets. They were born to hunt, so small critters seem like great toys to chase to them. If they are raised around children or other smaller pets, they can learn to get along with them, but play should always be supervised.

Exercise & Activity

Azawakhs are natural sprinters. They love the chase, and excel at lure coursing, an activity where dogs chase a mechanical lure. Azawakhs enjoy roaming free and off-leash, but should never be allowed to do so unless they are in a safe, fenced-in area. You can also take them for a run or walk to help them happily burn off some of their energy. A half hour or more of exercise every day will be enough to turn your Azawakh into a lazy couch potato for the rest of the day.

Azawakhs are known for being protective of their families. They do not like strangers and will bark and sometimes even act aggressively toward people they don’t know. Azawakhs love their families, but they do not seek out lots of attention. They are happy as long as you’re in the same area as them. Azawakhs have a high prey drive and are prone to chasing anything furry that catches their eye.

Azawakhs have a very short coat that is easy to maintain. Brushing their coat once or twice a week is all that’s necessary to remove any dead hair that would otherwise end up falling out on your couch, recliner, or bed.