Origin
Mali
Lifespan
12–15 years
Weight
15–25 kg
Height
60–74 cm
Personality
Colors & Patterns
Fawn · Red · Brindle · Blue · Grizzle
Azawakh
About This Breed
The Azawakh is a West African sighthound from the Sahel region, bred by Tuareg nomads as a guardian and hunter. Fiercely loyal to their family but aloof with strangers, they are elegant and swift coursing hounds.
Characteristics
Scores describe general breed tendencies, not an individual animal. A higher score means more of the named trait or need; it does not always mean better.
Life with a Azawakh
Origin
| Origin | Mali |
| Group | Hounds |
For the breed’s history, see the reference sources and Wikipedia link below.
Size and coat
| Weight | 15–25 kg |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Height | 60–74 cm |
| Colors & Patterns | Fawn · Red · Brindle · Blue · Grizzle |
These are approximate adult ranges. Individual animals may be smaller or larger.
Temperament
| Personality | Loyal · Independent · Aloof · Attentive |
Usually active. Make time for play, exercise, and activities that keep it interested.
Often seeks company and attention. Allow time together and help it get used to short periods alone.
Coat care
Usually needs relatively little coat care. Brush as needed for its coat and shedding.
Usually sheds relatively little. Low shedding does not mean an animal cannot cause allergies.
Living together
A familiar routine can help it settle in.
May be more comfortable in a quiet home. Give it space away from children.
Introductions to other pets may take time. Provide separate spaces.
Training and activities
Use short sessions and clear rewards. It may need more repetition to learn a new task.
Choose walks, sniffing games, and play to suit the dog’s age and health. Allow rest as well.
A lifespan range is not a prediction for an individual animal. Breed scores cannot diagnose illness or replace a veterinary assessment.
More from breed and care sources
Excerpts from the linked sources. Read the original for full details.
Breed Overview
The Azawakh (pronounced oz-a-wok) is a sight hound native to sub-Saharan Africa. No written records exist that document the breed’s origin, but these dogs were relied on as hunters and guardians for tribes in countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, according to the American Azawakh Association. An Azawakh dog is lean and well-muscled: traits that benefitted these dogs in their native lands. “Azawakhs are native to the Sahel region [of Africa], which is incredibly hot,” says Kayley Paylor, an Azawakh breeder and dog trainer at In Stride Azawakh & Training, in Washington State.
Care Guide
The Azawakh is an athletic dog breed with high energy, an intelligent mind, and a loyal nature. When given exercise and mental stimulation, the Azawakh settles down easily in the house. Despite their energy, these dogs are not overly excitable; Azawakh pet parent Diane Taschler Swick describes them as “reserved.” The breed has a perceptive and sensitive nature, so “the personality of the Azawakh depends on where they are and who is in the room,” she adds.