Azawakh

also known as Hanshee, Wulo, Oska, Idi, Tuareg Sloughi, Rawondu, Bareeru

Pros Summary


The Azawakh is a medium-sized, sighthound breed that originated in West Africa. They were originally bred by the nomadic Fulani and Tuareg people as hunting and guard dogs. The breed was first recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1984. It is also recognized by other kennel clubs and organizations such as the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). Azawakhs are known for their independent, athletic and protective personalities. They make great family pets, but they require regular exercise and consistent training. They are also known for their short, smooth coats which require minimal grooming. The name "Azawakh" comes from the region in West Africa where the breed originated.

Breed Information


Type

Is Azawakh a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Azawakhs originally used for?

hunting, guarding, companion

Lifespan

How Long Do Azawakhs Live? What is average life expectancy for an Azawakh? How long can Azawakhs live?

10-12 years

The average Azawakh lifespan is somewhere between 10-12 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Azawakh Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Azawakh?

What is the average height of an Azawakh? How big is an Purebred Azawakh height? Azawakh dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 25-29 inches (63.5 - 73.7 cm) 15.0 inches (38.1 cm) 27.0 inches (68.6 cm) 27.0 inches (68.6 cm)
Female 24-28 inches (61 - 71.1 cm) 13.0 inches (33 cm) 26.0 inches (66 cm) 26.0 inches (66 cm)
What is the average weight of an Azawakh? How much should Azawakhs weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 44-55 pounds (20 - 25 kg) 24.0 pounds (11 kg) 35.0 pounds (16 kg) 45.0 pounds (20 kg)
Female 33-44 pounds (15 - 20 kg) 19.5 pounds (9 kg) 27.5 pounds (12 kg) 35.0 pounds (16 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Azawakhs get fat easily?

The Azawakh is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are Azawakhs Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Azawakh is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is an Azawakh personality? What are Azawakh dogs best known for?

Affectionate
Attentive
Refined
Loyal
Aloof
Fierce
Rugged

Shedding Level

Are Azawakhs heavy shedders? How Much Does an Azawakh Shed?

Azawakh dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Azawakh. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of an Azawakh dog?

The Azawakh dog is one of the best choice if you want a good watchdog. This breed will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Azawakhs come from?

Africa

Ancestry

What are Azawakhs descended from?

basenji, african pariah dog

Date of Birth

When were Azawakhs first bred? How old is the Azawakh breed?

ancient times

Breed Group

What Breed Group is an Azawakh?

Sighthound & Pariah (UKC)

Azawakh Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Azawakh eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Azawakh nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Azawakh coat be naturally?

Blue
Fawn
Brindle
Black

Coat Length

How long is an Azawakhs coat?

The coat of an Azawakh dog ranges in length from short to medium.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Azawakh Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of an Azawakh?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can an Azawakh have in a litter? How many puppies can an Azawakh have in her first litter?

10-12 puppies per pregnancy

An Azawakh can have a litter of 10-12 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Azawakh dogs are a breed that can have difficulty adjusting to changes in lifestyle and living environments. They tend to be more comfortable in familiar and consistent surroundings.

Azawakh Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Azawakhs have a lot of health problems?

The Azawakh is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning an Azawakh?

Epilepsy
Bloat
Wobbler's Syndrome

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Azawakhs?

Sensitive to Anesthesia

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Azawakh breed?

Blood Test
X-Rays

Azawakh Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Azawakhs have a lot of energy?

For those who lead a balanced lifestyle, Azawakhs may be a good choice as they have an average energy level.

Social Needs

Do Azawakhs need socialization? How social are Azawakhs?

Azawakhs have average social needs compared to other breeds. They are known to be less active and independent than other breeds, and they are content with spending time alone and with their human family.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Azawakhs get?

The Azawakh dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should an Azawakh have? Do Azawakhs sleep a lot?

The Azawakh breed is known for its moderate energy levels and normal sleep patterns, typically sleeping around 12-14 hours per day.

Drooling Tendency

Does an Azawakh drool a lot?

The Azawakh is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Azawakh dogs tends to bark less frequently than most other dogs. They tend to be quieter and less vocal than other breeds. They may only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner of something or to communicate something. They do not bark excessively, and may not bark as much as other dogs in certain situations, such as when they are left alone.

Territorial

Do Azawakhs exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Mouthiness

Are Azawakhs mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of an Azawakh running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Azawakh dogs have a high prey drive?

Activity Level

What is the energy level of an Azawakh? How much energy does an Azawakh have?

High

Azawakhs are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should an Azawakh walk each week? How many miles should an Azawakh walk every week?

14 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Azawakh, it's at least 14 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much an Azawakh should exercise a day? How much activity does an Azawakh need?

75 minutes

In general most Azawakhs usually need at least 75 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for an Azawakh?

The Azawakh is a breed of dog that does not require extensive grooming.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush an Azawakh?

Monthly

In general Azawakh should be brushed at least once a month. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes, especially if they enjoyed it

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Azawakhs?

Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does an Azawakh eat?

3 cups

For an average 44-55 pound (20 - 25 kg) Azawakh feed 3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does an Azawakh Cost Daily?

$1.70 - $2.00 / day

The average cost of an Azawakh is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does an Azawakh Cost Per Month?

$48 - $63 / month

The average per month expenses of an Azawakh is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Azawakh Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is an Azawakh?

Azawakhs has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The Azawakh is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is an Azawakh dog?

Azawakh dogs have average emotions and are adaptable to different situations, not requiring extra care like sensitive breeds do.

Affection Dependance

Are Azawakh dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Azawakh do well in apartments? Are Azawakhs good indoor dogs?

Azawakhs are known for being excellent apartment dogs. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Child Friendly

Are Azawakhs good with kids? Are Azawakhs good around children?

Azawakhs are not the most kid-friendly dogs. If you have children, you might want to reconsider adopting another dog as a companion.

Senior-friendly

Are Azawakhs good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Azawakhs good with cats? How friendly Azawakhs are toward cats?

Azawakhs are not cat friendly dogs.

Dog Friendly

Do Azawakh dogs get along with other dogs? Are Azawakhs OK with other dogs?

Azawakhs are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Azawakh dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Azawakhs friendly with strangers?

Azawakhs are not stranger friendly dogs.

Playfulness

Do Azawakhs like to play? Are Azawakhs playful?

Azawakhs have an average level of playfulness. The Azawakhs, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Azawakh easily trained?

Azawakh dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Apartment Friendly
    Apartment dwellers should consider a Azawakh dog.
  • Quiet
    If you're looking for a breed that doesn't make a lot of noise, the Azawakh dog could be a good pick as they are known for being quiet.
  • Good watchdogs
    They make good watchdogs and will alert their owners to any strangers or potential threats.

Cons

  • Not suitable for office environment
    Azawakhs may struggle to adapt to an office environment.
  • Not Hypoallergenic
    The non-hypoallergenic nature of Azawakhs can lead to allergic reactions in people prone to allergies.
  • Not cat-friendly
    Azawakh dogs do not get along well with cats.
  • Prone to certain health issues
    They are prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia, bloat and heart disease.