Azawakh

• ExerciseHigh

  Needs a good workout or long walk every day.

• GroomingWash & go

  The occasional brush and bath is plenty.

• Living spaceHouse with room

  Does best with room to move and a yard.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment12–15 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Epilepsy · Hypothyroidism · Bloat (GDV)

The Azawakh is a sighthound of the Sahel, bred by the Tuareg and other peoples of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso as a guardian and hunter of gazelle. Its extreme leanness is not underfeeding: the breed standard calls for visible ribs and hip bones and a body that is taller than it is long. Almost no body fat and a very short single coat mean it is genuinely intolerant of cold and needs a coat in winter and soft bedding to lie on. Temperament is where the Azawakh differs most from the familiar sighthounds. It is more of a guardian than a Greyhound or Saluki: naturally aloof and reserved with strangers, deeply attached to its own household, and alert to anything unusual. Early and continuing socialisation is essential to prevent that reserve becoming fearfulness. It is independent and sensitive; harsh training simply shuts it down, while patient positive work builds a devoted dog. Exercise means the chance to gallop in a securely fenced area several times a week rather than long forced marches; like most sighthounds it is a sprinter that sleeps most of the day. Prey drive is high and recall unreliable around running animals. Grooming is a rub with a hound glove. Health is generally good, but the breed carries an above-average rate of idiopathic epilepsy and autoimmune thyroid disease, and as a deep-chested dog it is at risk of bloat, so feed measured meals and rest after eating.

• How much exercise does a Azawakh need?

  High. Needs a good workout or long walk every day.

• How much grooming does a Azawakh need?

  Wash & go. The occasional brush and bath is plenty.

• Is a Azawakh suited to apartment living?

  House with room. Does best with room to move and a yard.

• Is a Azawakh a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Azawakh live?

  12–15 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Azawakh?

  Keep an eye out for Epilepsy, Hypothyroidism, Bloat (GDV). These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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