At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
short fine coat
A tall, very lean sighthound with long legs and a light, springy way of moving. The coat is short and fine, and very sparse on the belly.12
Personality what they are like
Quick, attentive and dignified. It builds an intense bond with its owner and is gentle with the family it accepts, while keeping a cool distance from strangers.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Very energetic with huge stamina; it makes a good partner for runners and needs regular chances to stretch its legs safely.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short, fine coat needs very little grooming.1
Home where they are happiest
Comes from a hot, dry climate and many individuals are not fond of rain or cold, so a warm place indoors suits it.2
Company who they like around
Pack-minded with a strong family bond; reserved with people it does not know.21
The story where it all began
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. European breeders began working with it from 1968, and it is still fairly uncommon outside Africa. The AKC recognised it in 2019.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The breed is named after the Azawakh valley on the border of Mali and Niger.1
- 2
Nomads used it both to hunt game such as gazelle and to guard camps against predators.1
- 3
It can reach speeds of about 65 km/h when hunting.2
- 4
It runs with a double suspension gallop, where all four feet leave the ground twice in each stride.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 307, Group 10 Sighthounds, Section 3 Short-haired Sighthounds; standard published 04.09.2019, patronage France.1
- AKC
- Recognised in 2019, Hound Group.2
- UKC
- Registered by the UKC.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Azawakh. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 307 Azawakh fci.beused for recognition, origin, history, size, coat, colours, temperament
- Wikipedia: Azawakh en.wikipedia.orgused for history, recognition, temperament, exercise, fun facts
- AKC: Azawakh akc.orgused for origin countries, colours
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.