Azawakh
Also known as Tuareg Sighthound
- Height at the withers
- 60 to 74 cm
- Weight
- 15 to 25 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 15 years
- Daily activity
- 90 minutes
- Origin
- Mali
- FCI group
- 10 · Sighthounds
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- close neighbors: it barks little
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- young children, without close supervision
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
An elegant, slender sighthound from West Africa, with a fine, muscular outline, a very short coat and long legs built for speed and endurance in the desert conditions of the Sahel.
History and origins
An ancient sighthound breed developed by the nomadic Tuareg peoples of the Sahel region for hunting gazelle and other game, protecting livestock and keeping company. Bred for speed and endurance in Saharan conditions.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and its hardiness is average. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hypothyroidism
- Epilepsy
- Autoimmune diseases
- Sensitivity to anesthetics (common in sighthounds)
- Skin injuries (very thin skin)
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Low shedding, minimal coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Avoid, 1 out of 5
- With strangers
- Very wary, 1 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Not advised, 1 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- High, 4 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Quiet, 2 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Very low, 1 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Average, 3 out of 5
In our lists
Azawakh FAQ
How big does the Azawakh get?
The Azawakh stands 60 to 74 cm at the withers and weighs 15 to 25 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the Azawakh shed a lot?
It sheds little and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Azawakh live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the Azawakh need each day?
Allow about 90 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Azawakh good with children?
With caution: it does not cope well with the commotion of young children. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Azawakh live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and its hardiness is average. The main health problems to watch for are hypothyroidism and epilepsy.
