Hound Large size 15-25 kg

Azawakh

An elegant, aloof West African sighthound that bonds deeply but stays reserved, needing warmth, sprint room, and gentle handling.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
15-25 kg · 60-74 cm
High
Exercise needs
High; needs a solid hour or more each day
Good
Alone-time tolerance
Fairly independent for stretches
Moderate
Training
Capable but needs motivation
Wash-and-go
Coat care
Wash-and-go coat
Moderate
Fit with kids
Fine with respectful kids and supervision
Moderate
Other pets
Usually fine with early socialization
Moderate
Health burden
Obesity, Osteosarcoma

The Azawakh typically weighs 15-25 kg, stands 60-74 cm, and lives 12-15 years.

Consider this breed if…

you respect a reserved dog that chooses closeness on its own terms,
you can offer regular sprint sessions in a securely fenced area,
your home is calm, warm, and predictable - no rough-and-tumble chaos,
you have sighthound experience or are ready to learn their quirks.

Do not consider this breed if…

you want an openly friendly dog that greets every stranger warmly,
off-leash freedom in open areas matters to you - a chasing Azawakh does not recall,
small pets or free-roaming cats live in the household,
you live somewhere cold and expect the dog to enjoy long winter outings without a coat.

A typical day with a Azawakh

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    Brisk leashed walk; sniffs, stays watchful
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Curls up on the softest, warmest spot available
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Short walk; avoids puddles and cold wind
  4. 16:30 · Afternoon
    Full-speed sprints in a fenced field, 15-20 minutes
  5. 19:00 · Evening
    Quiet time pressed against its chosen person
  6. 22:00 · Night
    Sleeps long and deep, preferably on the bed

Temperament and training

Reserve with strangers Very high
Bond with own people High
Prey drive Very high
Independence High
Sensitivity High
Guarding tendency Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Forcing greetings with strangers instead of letting the dog decide · Letting it off leash in unfenced areas because it "seems calm" · Using harsh corrections on a sensitive, primitive-type breed

Family and environment

Kids Conditional
Fine with calm, respectful kids; dislikes grabbing and chaos.
Dogs Conditional
Best with other sighthounds; can be sharp with pushy dogs.
Cats Risky
Strong chase instinct; indoor truce possible, outdoors never safe.
Apartment Conditional
Quiet and clean indoors if sprint needs are met elsewhere.
House with a yard Suitable
Fence must be high and secure - this dog jumps and bolts.
City Conditional
Manages on leash, but crowds stress a reserved breed.
Countryside Good
Room to run, but loose livestock and wildlife mean leash discipline.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Obesity Control the diet and keep weight in check
Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) Aggressive; report persistent limping early
Bloat (GDV) Feed smaller meals and know the emergency signs
Dilated Cardiomyopathy Periodic heart checks as the dog ages

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Closest relative, same desert reserve
Sloughi
A reserved North African sighthound that is calm indoors but built to sprint - devoted to its family and aloof with strangers.
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Elegant distance-runner, slightly softer temper
Saluki
A graceful, sensitive sighthound that is calm at home but needs secure sprinting space - its intense prey drive rules out off-leash areas and small pets.
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Easier-going sighthound, widely available
Greyhound
The original 70 km/h couch potato - calmer indoors than most small breeds, with a hard-wired chase instinct that never fully switches off.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Azawakh cost in the US?
This is a genuinely rare breed - a small number of US breeders, frequent waitlists, and some dogs imported from Europe or West Africa. Puppies typically run $2,000-$3,500, with imports costing more. Over a 12-15 year life, add roughly $15,000-$25,000 for food and routine vet care, and a serious illness like osteosarcoma can add thousands on top.
Is the Azawakh aggressive or just aloof?
Aloof by design. It was bred as a guardian-hound that keeps strangers at a distance, so indifference or wariness toward outsiders is normal, not a defect. With its own family it is deeply attached and gentle. Poor socialization can tip wariness into defensiveness, so early, positive exposure matters more than in most breeds.
Can an Azawakh ever go off leash?
Only inside a secure fence. This is a sighthound with an extreme chase reflex - a rabbit or cat at 200 meters overrides any recall training. Lure coursing or fenced sprint fields give it the running it needs without the risk of traffic or lost-dog scenarios.
Does the Azawakh handle cold weather?
Poorly. It carries almost no body fat and a paper-thin coat built for the Sahel, not for northern winters. In cold climates plan on a proper dog coat for walks, shorter winter outings, and a warm, draft-free sleeping spot - many owners simply share the bed.