Also called Tuareg Sloughi, Idii n'Illeli · Sighthounds · West Africa: the Azawakh valley on the n
Quick, attentive and dignified.
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Weight | 15 to 25 kg (33 to 55 lb)males 20 to 25 kg, females 15 to 20 kg12 |
| Height | 60 to 74 cm (24 to 29 in)males 64 to 74 cm, females 60 to 70 cm12 |
| Coat | Short fine coat |
| Origin | West Africa: the Azawakh valley on the northern borders of Mali and Niger (also Burkina Faso); FCI patronage France.123 |
| Group | Sighthounds (FCI group 10) |
Ranges cover males and females and every standard linked on the line, so one standard alone may give a narrower range.
A typical home-care rhythm for an Azawakh. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Very energetic with huge stamina; it makes a good partner for runners and needs regular chances to stretch its legs safely.2
Comes from a hot, dry climate and many individuals are not fond of rain or cold, so a warm place indoors suits it.2
Pack-minded with a strong family bond; reserved with people it does not know.21
The short, fine coat needs very little grooming.1
Feed your Azawakh at least two meals a day, with puppies needing three to four smaller meals. Choose regular times that suit your routine, and check the food label and your vet for exact amounts.4
Feed a high-quality dog food appropriate for its age and activity. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and many others listed by the ASPCA. Always consult your vet for a balanced diet.5
The Azawakh's short fine coat needs very little grooming. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests a bath every 8 weeks, and general guidance recommends at least once every three months. Adjust if your dog gets dirty.6
Brush your Azawakh weekly to remove loose hair and keep the coat healthy. Pet Wiki's plan suggests brushing every 7 days, which matches general advice for short coats.6
Trim your Azawakh's nails when you hear them clicking on the floor, about every 4 weeks. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick (the pink part). If unsure, ask your vet or a groomer.6
The Azawakh is very energetic with huge stamina, so it needs daily exercise like long walks or runs. Pet Wiki's plan recommends daily walks and play. Make sure it has safe space to stretch its legs.2
Brush your Azawakh's teeth two to three times a week using dog toothpaste, and check ears every two weeks for dirt or odor. Never insert anything into the ear canal. Pet Wiki's plan suggests daily brushing is ideal.6
While exact lifespan isn't listed, many Azawakhs live 10 to 13 years. Pet Wiki's plan notes that senior years often begin around age 7, so regular vet checkups are important.
The Azawakh is gentle with its own family and forms a strong bond, but it is reserved with strangers. Early socialisation with children and other pets is important. Always supervise interactions.12
The Azawakh is a pack-minded dog that bonds strongly with its family, so it may struggle with long periods alone. Provide companionship and mental stimulation, and consider a dog sitter if you are away often.21
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Running costs for an Azawakh, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
| Foodabout 91 kg of dry food a year | 298 GBP ↗ |
|---|---|
| Routine vet care | 345 GBP ↗ |
| Pet insurancetypical policy, varies by breed and age | 461 GBP ↗ |
| Dog tax | 0 GBP ↗ |
| Licence and registration | 12 GBP ↗ |
| Gear to start | 531 GBP ↗ |
| Microchip and registration | 26 GBP ↗ |
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
No breed-specific rule names the Azawakh in the 61 countries we check. General dangerous-dog laws still apply everywhere, and some cities keep their own lists.
See the rules and sources for every country
Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
Azawakhs should stay tall and lean, with some ribs and hip bones showing, so go easy on treats and never let them push the dog past its slim working shape.
Source: petmd.com
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
The breed is named after the Azawakh valley on the border of Mali and Niger.1
Nomads used it both to hunt game such as gazelle and to guard camps against predators.1
It can reach speeds of about 65 km/h when hunting.2
It runs with a double suspension gallop, where all four feet leave the ground twice in each stride.2
The breed is named after the dry valley of the Azawakh, located in the northern borders of Mali and Niger, where the Tuareg and other nomadic peoples historically lived and hunted with these dogs.7
At sunrise, I stretch my long legs and race across the field, the wind in my fur. My human runs beside me, and I match their pace with effortless grace. Later, I lie by their feet, watching the world with calm dignity. A stranger passes, and I keep my distance, but my family's touch is pure bliss. As dusk falls, I curl beside them, content and proud.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
The Azawakh is an old sighthound of the southern Sahara, kept by the Tuareg, Fula and other nomadic peoples as a hunter and camp guard. The first dogs reached Europe in the 1970s, and it is still fairly uncommon outside Africa. The AKC recognised it in 2019.12
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
Text is written in our own words from these sources.
Sloughi
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Greyhound