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AKC: Azawakh breed overview

Hound group · Mali

Azawakh

Also called Tuareg Sloughi

A tall, reserved sighthound from the Sahel that gives deep loyalty to its own people and little to anyone else.

The Azawakh comes from the southern edge of the Sahara, where nomadic peoples used it to guard camps and course game. It is elegant, fast and intensely devoted to its family, but naturally wary of strangers, which makes it a breed for experienced, patient owners.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

15 to 25 kg

33 to 55 lb

Height

60 to 74 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 15 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

24 months

approximate model input

Life with a Azawakh

Few breeds are as selective about people as the Azawakh. In its homeland, the dry Sahel belt of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, these dogs lived in small packs with Tuareg and other nomadic families. Their duties were to warn of intruders around camp and to chase hare, gazelle or jackal across open ground. A dog that welcomed strangers was useless for the first task, and the breed's modern temperament reflects that.

With its own family, an Azawakh is affectionate, sensitive and often very attached to one particular person. It enjoys soft beds, warm corners and quiet company. With strangers, it tends to stand back and watch, sometimes barking, sometimes simply refusing to be touched. Good socialization produces a dog that is polite and calm with visitors, but rarely one that seeks their attention.

The breed reached Europe in the 1970s, mainly through France and the former Yugoslavia, and the FCI recognized it under French patronage. The American Kennel Club followed in 2019. It remains rare everywhere, and anyone considering one should meet several adults and speak with experienced owners first.

What stands out

Training

Azawakhs are intelligent but independent, and they respond poorly to repetition or pressure. Short, relaxed sessions with food rewards and plenty of trust building work best. Expect them to ask why before complying; many learn quickly but choose when to show it.

Read the full training guide

Easy to train

Open with strangers

Good with other dogs

A great match for

experienced sighthound owners
quiet adult households
warm climates
people who want a loyal, one-family dog

Think twice if

aloof or defensive with strangers
strong prey drive and unreliable recall
feels the cold badly
needs very careful early socialization
can be difficult with the vet unless handled early

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much an Azawakh eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	18 kg	840 kcal	225 g (2.3 cups)
Female, typical pet	18 kg	960 kcal	260 g (2.5 cups)
Male, typical pet	23 kg	1160 kcal	315 g (3.3 cups)
Male, very active	23 kg	1450 kcal	390 g (4 cups)

Full Azawakh feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Azawakh

Feeding5 cups, although needs vary widely between individuals. Appetite often drops noticeably in hot weather or when the dog is unsettled.Read more Puppy growthPuppies grow tall quickly and often look gangly, all legs and angles, through their first year. Most reach adult height around 12 months but keep maturing in body and temperament until about two or three years.Read more ExerciseAround 60 minutes of daily exercise, including the chance to sprint in a securely fenced area at least a few times a week, suits most adults. Azawakhs enjoy lure coursing, racing and long walks, and many will run in joyful circles for a few minutes and then want to sleep for hours.Read more GroomingThe coat is so short that grooming takes minutes: a wipe with a soft cloth or rubber mitt once a week and a bath only when dirty. Shedding is minimal and there is no doggy odor to speak of.Read more HealthThe breed is known to be predisposed to hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis, epilepsy, cervical spinal problems often called wobbler syndrome, and bloat. Like other sighthounds, Azawakhs have little body fat and may react differently to anesthesia, and some blood test values, including thyroid levels, can naturally differ from other breeds.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Named after the Azawagh valley region spanning Mali and Niger
2Kept by Tuareg and other nomadic peoples of the Sahel as a guard and hunting dog
3Taller than it is long, giving an unusually upright, square outline
4Hip bones and several ribs are normally visible in a fit adult
5Can reach around 60 km/h (37 mph) at a full gallop

Azawakh questions

Why is my Azawakh so thin? Is it underweight?

Probably not. A healthy Azawakh shows its hip bones, the top of its spine and the outline of three or four ribs. That lean outline is normal for the breed. The concerns are a sudden drop in weight, ribs that become very sharp, dull coat or reduced energy. Ask your vet or an experienced breeder to assess body condition, rather than comparing with other breeds.

Are Azawakhs good with strangers?

Not usually in the way most breeds are. They were bred to alert their families to intruders, so wariness is normal. Well-socialized adults tolerate visitors calmly, but they rarely enjoy being petted by people they do not know. Let guests ignore the dog and allow it to approach on its own terms, and never force interaction.

Can an Azawakh live in a cold climate?

It can, with effort. The breed comes from the Sahel, where daytime heat is intense, and it has almost no body fat and very short hair. In northern Europe or Canada, expect to use a warm coat for walks, keep outings short in freezing weather and provide padded beds and blankets indoors. Many owners also use a fleece indoors in winter.

How fast can an Azawakh run?

Azawakhs can reach around 60 km/h (37 mph) at a full gallop. They were bred to chase fast game such as hare and gazelle over hot, rough ground, and they have excellent endurance. Their running style is light and bouncy. That speed is why off-lead running should only happen in securely fenced areas.

Is an Azawakh a good first dog?

Generally no. The combination of independence, sensitivity, wariness of strangers and high prey drive challenges even experienced owners. First-time owners attracted to the breed should spend time with adult Azawakhs, talk to breeders, and consider a more forgiving sighthound such as a Whippet or retired Greyhound first. Some breeders will place with novices only after careful discussion.

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