The Azawakh is a sighthound breed from the Sahel region of Africa.  Originally bred by Tuareg nomads of the Sahara it is used to hunt gazelle and hare at speeds nearing 40 miles per hour.  Unlike most sighthounds the Azawakh has been bred to hunt in packs and merely chase the animal until it has tired out. 



The Azawakh is lean and rugged, yet elegant, and stands tall for its size with very long legs.  The average height is 23-29 inches and generally weighs between 37-55 pounds.  The short, soft coat is very thin, causing you to clearly see their bone structure.  It is not uncommon for people unfamiliar with the breed to think they are underfed.  Colors range from light sable to dark fawn, and although uncommon, black brindle is allowed as well.  White on the chest, paws, legs, and tail tip is required by most kennel clubs.  Other Azawakh colors do exist in Africa, such as black and blue.


Azawakhs originated in the countries of Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and southern Algeria, where they have existed for centuries.   This harsh climate has ensured that only healthiest dogs survive, and has made the breed rugged and independent.  First kept by the Tuareg nomads, they where called idii n’ illeli, which means “sighthound of the free people”.  Aside from hunting they protect their family, encampment, and flocks from invaders.   Even today it is not uncommon to see them sleeping on the straw roofs of village homes.    When a single dog senses danger it will jump down, quickly alerting the others, they form a pack and as a single force will attack the predator or intruder.  The Azawakh was not seen in the United States until the 1980s, and is still considered a rare breed.

A highly independent breed, the Azawakh will only show affection to people they truly like.  They will fiercely defend their owners and property.  Generally they get along well with children, provided the children are not overbearing, they tend to do better with older children.  Azawakhs get along with similar dogs, but because of its hunting instinct they do not do well with smaller animals.

The Azawakh is in general a very healthy breed.  They are not prone to any genetic diseases, and although a larger breed they are not known to suffer from hip dysplasia.  The life expectancy of an Azawakh is around 12 years.
 
Bred for the hunt and to simply run, the Azawakh is not suited for apartment life.  They are inactive indoors and need at least a small yard to roam in.  This breed needs to have the opportunity to run often in a safe area, as well as long walks daily.  Azawakhs tend to be very sensitive to the cold.

Very little grooming is required, because of the Azawakhs short coat.