In the harsh desert, nature and selective breeding shaped the Azawakh, an African Sighthound with a distinct, exotic beauty. Originating in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, these hounds are named after the Azawakh valley between Mali and Niger. The Azawakh, meaning “land of the north,” is the only Sighthound native to this region.
Western cultures often link the breed to the Tuareg people, but other groups, including the Peulh, some Fulani clans, the Bella (former Tuareg slaves), and the Hausa, also raise these hounds. Among the Tuareg, the pure Azawakh, called “idi n’illeli,” or “sighthound of the free people,” is highly valued. Seasonal nomadic migration promoted genetic diversity, strengthening the breed’s resilience and stable temperament.
Unlike Western selective breeding, only one female per camp is typically bred, often by the area’s alpha male. Litters are culled to two or three, ensuring manageable populations and improved nutrition for the puppies.
In the 1970s, the Azawakh was introduced to Yugoslavia by Dr. Pecar, a diplomat in Burkina Faso who acquired a male as a gift from nomads and a female in exchange for his hunting services. The French military and officials also helped bring the Azawakh to Europe, with France ultimately being recognized as the breed’s patron country under Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) rules.
Initially considered a variety of the Sloughi, the Azawakh was later recognized as a separate breed by the FCI. After some debate, the standard was adjusted in 1993 to allow brindle-coated Azawakh, reflecting their diversity in the breed’s native countries.
The breed evolved in Europe through two main lines, the Yugoslavian and French lines.
Yugoslavian Line – Beginning in the early 1970s, Vesna Sekalec (Haris al Sahra) started breeding Azawakh after obtaining two from Dr. Pecar. Dogs from this line, including Gao and Lara, and later, Darkoye Sidi from Burkina Faso, were pivotal in founding the breed in Yugoslavia. These bloodlines also greatly influenced Azawakh breeding in the Czech Republic and Russia.
French Line – The French line began with a total of seven foundation dogs. Parigi was the original importer and breeder in France. His earliest female was Toboro II, and males were Aikar, Adignaz, Aourakh, and Targoui. He actively bred Azawakh from 1972-1978. Another male known as Takadamat contributed to the French foundation. Dr. Francois Roussel, who wrote his doctoral dissertation on the Azawakh in its countries of origin (Contributions to the Study of the Sighthounds in the South-Sahara, 1975), owned a bitch named Tahoura.
In the early 1980s, other African imports were brought into France by the Coppé family. The Coppé dogs came from Mali. The males were known as C’Babasch and Ejeker; and a brindled female was known as Tekewelt. Coppé bred the first litters of brindle Azawakh in Europe.
In the late 1970s, the next generation of breeders started in Switzerland and Germany, with Ingrid Aigeldinger (Al Hara) and Anna and Ulrich Hochgesand (Aulad al Sahra), respectively. These two breeders were the main source for Azawakh for both Europe and the United States. Other desert-bred imports arrived during this time period. They were Mali, Dazol In Chenan, Yaris, Salome, and Akchi. Hochgesand and Aigeldinger bred Azawakh from both French and Yugoslavian bloodlines. The Aulad al Sahra breeding program mixed the two lines from the beginning. However, Aigeldinger kept the two lines separate, for the most part, until the late 1980s.
Aigeldinger made these observations of the two lines during an interview in 1996. “The Yugoslavian line has good formats, full and correct dentition, soundness of legs and good angulation, good almond eye and well-carried ears, interested racers (non-fighters), very sensitive, occasionally almost hysterical, not good car travelers. The French line has super quality in all respects, not nervous, good depth of brisket, flowing attractive movement, somewhat long in back and accordingly slightly over-angulated behind. Good at lure coursing, but unsure on the race course. The French family stands on sound and strong legs.”
In 1993, the idea to establish an organization to protect the Azawakh in their African homelands was born during the first International Azawakh Expedition. This expedition was led by a group of Sighthound enthusiasts from Germany, Austria, the United States, and Mexico. The foundation, known as ABIS (Association Burkinabe Idi du Sahel), was founded to help the breed survive in its countries of origin (COO). Based in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, the goals of the foundation are the preservation and advancement of the pure-bred Sighthounds of the nomads in the Sahel region.
The Azawakh made its debut in the United States in the mid-1980s. The first Azawakh that made her way to the US was Amusar’s Hamija, bred by Frau Witzig in Germany. Hamija ended up in rescue with the Netboys of California. The Netboys later imported Izegar, a male from Aulad al Sahra, but the two dogs were never bred.
The first Azawakh litter was whelped on October 31, 1987 by the late Gisela Cook-Schmidt (Reckendahl). Sired by Faysal Uschi of Silverdale, a dog of the Yugoslavian line, their dam was Al Hara’s Hiba, a female of the French line. Hiba’s second litter was sired by the desert-bred, Mali. These first American Azawakh were all red or fawn with white markings. The first brindles came to the US in 1989, with the first brindle litter whelped on November 27, 1990 by breeder, Deb Kidwell (Kel Simoon).
The American Azawakh Association, Inc. (AAA) is the AKC parent club for the Azawakh in the US. The AAA was founded on February 7, 1988 with the goals of promoting the pure Azawakh and to guarantee the breed a permanent future in the US. The AAA publishes a quarterly newsletter known as the Azawakh Aegis.
The Azawakh is currently recognized to participate in all AKC Performance and Companion Events. The breed entered the AKC Miscellaneous Class on June 30, 2011. The Azawakh received full AKC recognition on January 1, 2019. Azawakh are also fully recognized by the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA), the Large Greyhound Racing Association (LGRA), and the United Kennel Club (UKC). The American Azawakh Association has actively held specialty shows since 1990.
Another sport for which the Azawakh shows a lot of promise is the emerging sport of Canine Freestyle. Canine Freestyle is a choreographed performance with music, demonstrating the training and joyful relationship of a dog and handler team. Freestyle is an excellent discipline to highlight the conformation and movement of the dog. The drive and beauty of an elegant Azawakh moving to music can take one’s breath away. The emphasis is on matching the music to the dog’s gait, validating the bond between the handler and the dog, and creating an expressive, flowing picture for the audience. The Azawakh’s light, graceful movement and willingness to please make this sport tailor-made for the breed.
Grooming of their short coat is accomplished easily with a zoom groom or hound glove. Frequent bathing is not necessary, as the breed has no doggy odor. They do, however, have sensitive skin, so the use of a mild, hypoallergenic, unscented shampoo is recommended.
Exercise requirements with all Sighthound breeds are a very important subject. The Azawakh must have adequate exercise and makes an excellent companion for the serious jogger or runner. The Azawakh is a very active dog; however, they run and play in spurts, interspersed with long naps on the sofa. They should have a large yard where they can stretch their legs, but more importantly, they need interaction with the owner or another dog to make them exercise. Left alone in the backyard with the expectation of self-exercise is generally not acceptable for this breed. A bored Azawakh will look for its own entertainment, not necessarily close to the house. They should receive at least half an hour a day of hard running and/or playing exercise. Finding a securely fenced ball field is perfect for play excursions.
They typically need a lot of space around them and cannot tolerate endless hours of crating. However, many love to pile on the couch. Scenes with ten or twelve Azawakh or other Sighthounds piled on a couch are pretty normal!
Regular exercise and living as an integral part of the family are prerequisites for a well-balanced Azawakh. They generally love to travel and explore new places with their owner.
Though they are desert hounds, their delicate appearance can be misleading. Azawakh are actually strong, resilient dogs, well-suited to the challenging conditions of the Sahel. They can thrive on small portions of food, though they often seem perpetually hungry. They dislike wet and cold weather and shouldn’t be left outside for long in such conditions. While they enjoy a quick run in the snow, they need to come inside promptly to warm up.
Without sufficient outlets for their energy, Azawakh may become fat and lethargic or hyperactive and destructive. They can be highly reliable off-lead if trained with a strong recall, a significant benefit for those who appreciate sighthounds but worry about their independence.
Understanding the Azawakh’s temperament requires considering each dog’s unique personality and background, influenced by both genetics and environment. Dog World once described them as a “warrior class dog” with intelligence and a protective spirit. On their own territory, they may bark loudly and appear intimidating. Their “territory” can include their home, car, or even their owner’s personal space. Outside of these areas, reactions range from friendly to mildly curious or even indifferent. Some Azawakh have served as therapy dogs in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, showing that they can make positive social contributions.
This breed has an unusual combination of loyalty and independence. New situations often create a tension between their desire to please and their instinct to do things their own way, requiring a patient and fair approach from owners. Well-socialized Azawakh are affectionate, gentle, playful, and deeply loyal to their family, although they may not adapt easily to new owners if strongly bonded with one person. Typically cautious with strangers, they often observe before approaching. Raising an Azawakh requires patience, empathy, and personal interaction.
Due to their sensitivity, rough handling or aggression is not appropriate for any dog, and certainly not for the Azawakh. Harsh treatment can lead to mistrust, aggression, or unpredictability. Properly socialized and trained, however, the Azawakh will live harmoniously within its family and community. Azawakh raised in kennels with little socialization may be shy, distrustful, and frightened, sometimes even biting in panic.
With time and patience, many Azawakh can learn to adjust to household life, though some may not fully adapt. Well-socialized Azawakh may still be cautious but are quicker to adjust, often gauging their owner’s reaction to new experiences. It’s essential not to “protect” a puppy from different experiences. Instead, they should be introduced to diverse environments, taken on car rides, and taught to walk on a leash and respond to calls. Obedience and socialization classes are crucial for young Azawakh, setting a foundation that will help them cope with our busy, sometimes overwhelming society. Many Azawakh owners find that the bond formed through the commitment of raising one often surpasses their previous experiences with other dogs.
Azawakh are alert, attentive, distant, and reserved with strangers and can even show aggression if threatened. However, they are gentle and affectionate with those they accept. Excessive timidity, panic, or unprovoked aggression is considered a fault. Some breeders in the US and Europe are working toward Azawakh that are more approachable and less inclined to aggression, while in the Sahel, the hounds typically prefer not to be touched but is not aggressive. More accurately, they are avoidant.
More accurately, they are avoidant. Unprovoked aggression towards a family member or guest would not be tolerated. Much discussion has been given to the guardian nature of the Azawakh, but here we must remember that this is a Sighthound. Azawakh have retained all their instincts, and when several live together, they establish hierarchies with subtle behavioral rituals. Intentions and moods are expressed by a repertoire of postures, expressions, and sounds. Azawakh are resourceful and driven hunters. Because comparatively few generations have been removed from the need to hunt daily for personal survival, the hunting instinct is very strong in this breed.
As a rule, they seem to accept other dogs, though sometimes grudgingly, as protected members of their own pack. Their keen vision, speed, and stamina specialize them for chasing down their prey in open spaces. The Azawakh is always on the alert for moving objects; even a leaf in the wind or a butterfly will trigger a chase. Azawakh usually play by chasing one another. Their play can be very rough!
Azawakh can develop great friendships with cats and small dogs but may mistake them for game outside, particularly if the pet runs away. Some cats attack dogs and can inflict serious damage to a dog’s eyes and face with their claws. Similar caution is required with Azawakh and indoor birds. The beak of large parrots can turn into a dangerous weapon, and alternatively, the teeth of an Azawakh can hurt the bird!
Another point to mention is that the Azawakh is a very dominant breed. Within a household pack, the breed will almost always aspire to the alpha dog position. If there is an existing dominant dog in the house, this can cause conflict within the pack.
No one can predict the individual personalities of all dogs in any breed. There are some situations that should be avoided with guardian and Sighthound dogs of any breed. Children playing together will sometimes quarrel, and it is natural for a guard dog to protect “his” children from their playmates. Also, children can abuse dogs without realizing it, and an Azawakh (or any other dog) might want to defend itself.
Chase or prey behavior is another situation that can be a problem. Children or other pets running away from the hound can activate the prey drive instinct. The hound may try to “take down” the child from behind as they would while hunting. A good rule of thumb is to never leave the Azawakh with children while unsupervised by an attentive adult.
There are individual dogs of all breeds that do not like children. The Azawakh, as a breed, with care given to the situations mentioned, should fit well into the family structure.
The Azawakh as a breed does have some health challenges. The most common of these health concerns are hypothyroidism, seizures, and several autoimmune-mediated diseases, such as a muscle-wasting condition, autoimmune thyroiditis, and generalized demodectic mange.
Cardiac problems and bloat, though not common, have occurred in some individuals. Breeders are strongly encouraged to test for as many maladies as possible, making it possible to make informed breeding decisions when considering a litter.
Common tests include thyroid screens, complete blood chemistry (CBC) profiles, autoimmune function blood work, cardiac screening, eye examinations (CERF), and x-rays for hip/elbow dysplasia (OFA, PennHip). Seizures are hard to test for, and cause determination is not always possible. However, dogs exhibiting seizures should not be bred.
Unfortunately, many dogs start seizure activity later in life after being bred many times, adversely impacting the gene pool of the breed. As advances in DNA profiling occur, new tests are emerging all the time. It’s essential that breeders take advantage of new research as it becomes available.
The problem that breeders face, in many cases, is that due to the small gene pool, it is impossible to eliminate all dogs that carry a genetic disease from the breeding program. However, it makes sense to test for as many diseases as possible to avoid “doubling up” on the same disease process in sire and dam.
Pedigree research and disease tracking are invaluable tools for Azawakh breeders. Some health problems can be tracked through an entire line from the original foundation dogs.
Nutrition is an important point to consider in a breed so close to its “roots.” Though not all breeders feel it is important, many believe that the hounds should be fed a simple diet of whole foods rather than kibble. This is a personal preference. Many generations of dogs have been kibble-raised and have done well.
If feeding regular kibble, the Azawakh should be fed a diet with a fat content of 16-20 percent to maintain good weight and a healthy coat; a moderate level of protein (26-30 percent) is advisable. The breed also does well on the newer grain-free diets.
Weight maintenance of the Azawakh is another important area to consider. They should be slim. In proper weight, most ribs, vertebrae, and hipbones should be visible. It’s not to say that they should be skeletal, but a fat Sighthound is neither a happy nor a healthy Sighthound. Azawakh are structured to be on the thin side. Overfeeding will adversely affect the joint structure of the hound, especially in puppies. Azawakh puppies should never be fat and roly-poly.
Keeping them slim as they grow permits the joints and other body parts to develop properly, without additional stress and wear and tear. Slim pups are less prone to growth plate problems. In the medical treatment of the hound, natural, holistic methods work very well. The Azawakh is generally a healthy breed. They heal amazingly well from cuts and scrapes. The Azawakh is a natural breed whose immune system is not conditioned to the use of most Western chemicals; therefore, judicious use of chemicals around the hound is advised.
Currently, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the World Canine Organization standard of the Azawakh, allows only the coat colors of sand to red, with and without black brindling. White markings are required on all four extremities, the tip of the tail, and the chest. A blaze on the face is allowed. Any deviation from the above standard is a major or eliminating fault.
This standard, however, does not reflect the reality regarding colors and markings of the hounds in the Sahel. The coat colors accepted by the FCI standard are indeed the dominant colors; however, a smaller portion of the Azawakh population displays different coat colors and patterns. Additionally, more extensive white markings than described in the standard are very common.
Although the AAA doesn’t recognize the FCI Standard for the breed because of its color limitations, the dogs can be shown in any FCI recognized country under FCI rules, which allow only sand to dark red and black brindle, with all other colors disqualified. In the past few years, the French Club du Sloughi, des Levriers d’Afrique et du Galgo (S.L.A.G.), which governs the Sloughi and Azawakh in France, has further limited the “approved” white markings of the Azawakh. This trend has sharply divided Azawakh fanciers and breeders in both the US and abroad.
By limiting the markings on the hound, the standard is further narrowing the genetic pool from which breeders can draw if they wish to breed within the standard as set forth by the club in France. Since the formation of the American Azawakh Association in 1988, it has been the belief of the members that the FCI standard should be amended to include all the colors and patterns found in the Sahel. This would allow breeders to utilize Sahelian-bred hounds to expand and enhance the breeding lines. It would also help to preserve the unique character and performance abilities of the Azawakh and help to balance the progressively more extreme type found so often in the show ring today.
“As fast as wind, durable as a camel, and beautiful as an Arab horse… these few words could briefly describe a charming Azawakh.” (Eva-Maria Kramer). Azawakh are elegant, tall dogs of proud bearing. Lean and muscular in frame, their appearance should indicate swiftness when running. They should be longer of leg than of body, which may seem extreme when compared with other Sighthounds. Their necks are long and graceful, and they hold their heads high when alert. Their tails are proudly carried above the line of the back.
The breed has pendant ears that are raised to the side of the head in response to sounds. Their beautiful, darkly rimmed, almond-shaped eyes and ever-alert look capture the admiration of all who fall under the spell of the hound.
The Azawakh’s movement is agile and light, without hackney action or pounding. They have particularly graceful, elastic movement at the walk, and at the trot, they give the appearance of floating effortlessly over the ground. At the trot, the front foot should not extend past the end of the nose. The gallop is leaping, and they cover ground in great strides. Moving with exaggerated reach and drive, as in the “flying trot,” is incorrect. The movement is an essential point of the breed.
An over-angulated dog can have spectacular movement, but it is not the correct movement. This is a very common judging fault in Azawakh. A dog that shows all the characteristics of the standard, but has a heavy, pounding trot or hackney action, cannot be considered for the ribbons!
