Azawakh vs Greyhound: Which Breed Reigns Supreme?

If you’re a dog lover who’s torn between the Azawakh and Greyhound, it’s essential to understand the distinctive characteristics, similarities, and differences of both breeds. The “Azawakh vs Greyhound” debate goes beyond mere appearances, delving into their traits, behavior, and how each species might fit into your lifestyle.

Understanding the Azawakh Breed

The Azawakh, originally hailing from West Africa, is a rare sighthound breed praised for its elegance and agility. But what are its notable features? Let’s dive deeper.

Key Characteristics of the Azawakh

Agility and Speed: Known for its incredible speed, the Azawakh can reach up to 40 miles per hour.
Temperament: Azawakhs are highly protective and develop strong bonds with their families. They can be reserved with strangers.
Health: Azawakhs are generally a healthy breed, but they are prone to certain conditions like bloat and hypothyroidism.

The Greyhound Breed Explained

Greyhounds, recognized for their unique streamlined bodies and impressive speed, have been popular pets for centuries. Here are some critical features to note.

Greyhound Characteristics

Speed: A Greyhound’s sleek body can reach up to 45 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest dog breeds.
Temperament: Despite their racing reputation, Greyhounds are often called “45-mph couch potatoes.” They are laid-back and friendly, even with strangers.
Health: They are generally healthy but can suffer from conditions like osteosarcoma and bloat.

Azawakh vs Greyhound: The Key Differences

Comparing the Azawakh and Greyhound shows they share similarities as sighthounds but differ significantly in their temperament, health, and lifestyle needs.

Temperament

While the Azawakh is known for its protectiveness and aloofness towards strangers, the Greyhound is quite the opposite, displaying a laid-back demeanor and friendliness towards new faces.

Health and Lifespan

Regarding health, the Greyhound can be prone to more severe conditions like osteosarcoma. On the other hand, Azawakhs generally have fewer health issues.

Living Conditions

Greyhounds, surprisingly, make excellent apartment dogs due to their calm demeanor. Conversely, Azawakhs need a more active lifestyle with room to run and play.

Delving Deeper into Temperament: Azawakh vs Greyhound

When comparing Azawakh vs Greyhound, temperament is a significant deciding factor. Each breed has unique personality traits that can be more suited to specific households.

The Protective Nature of Azawakhs

Azawakhs have a naturally protective nature. This breed forms strong bonds with its family members and often acts as a guardian. This inherent trait comes from their history as protectors of nomadic tribes in the Sahara desert.

Socialization: The Azawakh can be aloof towards strangers, so early socialization is crucial. It helps them become more comfortable around new people and environments.
Training: This breed is intelligent and responds well to positive reinforcement. However, they can also be independent and may require a patient and understanding owner regarding training.
Family Interaction: The protective nature of Azawakhs makes them excellent watchdogs. However, due to their mysterious nature, there may be better choices for households with young children.

The Laid-back Greyhound

In contrast to the protective Azawakh, Greyhounds are often more relaxed. While they have a history as hunting and racing dogs, many are surprised to find out how laid-back they can be as household pets.

Socialization: Greyhounds are amiable and interact well with humans and other pets. Early socialization is still essential to ensure they become well-rounded dogs.
Training: Greyhounds are sensitive dogs and respond best to training methods that involve positive reinforcements. Training should be conducted gently and patiently.
Family Interaction: Their friendly and easy-going nature makes Greyhounds excellent family pets. They get along with children and can comfortably live in various homes, including apartments.

Azawakh vs Greyhound: Physical Features

Shared Traits: Similarities Between Azawakh and Greyhound Physical Features

Both Azawakhs and Greyhounds share some striking physical similarities, largely due to their shared history as sighthounds:

Aerodynamic Body Structure: Both breeds feature a deep chest and a narrow waist, an ideal body structure for speed and endurance. This physique gives them a common streamlined and sleek appearance.
Short and Smooth Coats: The Azawakh and Greyhound have short, smooth coats that come in a variety of colors, ranging from fawn to brindle, and even blue.
Tall Stature: While the specific height can vary, both breeds are tall with long, slender legs suited for fast, agile movement.

A Study in Contrast: Differences Between Azawakh and Greyhound Physical Features

Despite the notable similarities, there are some significant differences between the Azawakh and Greyhound that make each breed unique:

Size and Weight: Greyhounds are generally larger and heavier, weighing between 60-70 pounds for males and 50-60 pounds for females. In contrast, Azawakhs are slightly lighter, with males typically weighing between 44-55 pounds and females 33-44 pounds.
Head Shape: While both breeds have long and narrow heads, the Azawakh’s is more refined and angular, with a noticeable dome on top. The Greyhound’s head, while still sleek, is less angular.
Skin Tightness: The skin of an Azawakh is exceptionally tight over its body, emphasizing its musculature. On the other hand, the Greyhound’s skin is more relaxed, although its muscular structure is still clearly visible.
Climate Adaptation: The Azawakh, hailing from the deserts of Africa, has a higher tolerance for warm climates compared to the Greyhound, which prefers cooler temperatures.

Health Concerns: Azawakh vs Greyhound

A discussion of Azawakh vs Greyhound would only be complete by examining the health issues that can affect these breeds.

The health of the Azawakh

The Azawakh is generally a healthy breed, with a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to specific health issues.

Autoimmune diseases: Some Azawakhs may suffer from autoimmune diseases, where the dog’s immune system mistakenly attacks its body.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: This condition can cause discomfort and limit movement. It results from an abnormality in the development of the joints.

The health of the Greyhound

Greyhounds are also typically healthy dogs, lasting 10 to 14 years. However, they also have breed-specific health concerns.

Bloat: This life-threatening condition occurs when the dog’s stomach twists. Greyhounds, like other deep-chested breeds, are more prone to it.
Osteosarcoma: Unfortunately, Greyhounds have a higher incidence of this aggressive type of bone cancer than other species.

Temperament: Azawakh vs Greyhound

Each breed’s temperament is unique and can affect whether it’s the right fit for your household.

Azawakh Temperament

Azawakhs are known for their aloof and independent nature. While they bond closely with their families, they might be reserved with strangers. Here are some characteristics:

Loyal and Protective: They form strong bonds with their family and are often protective, making them excellent watchdogs.
Independent: Azawakhs have a strong will and can be pretty independent, which might make training more challenging.

Greyhound Temperament

Greyhounds, while also bonding closely with their families, have a more laid-back nature. They’re known for their sweet and gentle disposition.

Affectionate: They are loving and enjoy the company of their family members.
Relaxed: Greyhounds are often content to lounge around the house and are generally not as high-energy as Azawakhs.

Financial Considerations: Azawakh vs Greyhound

When considering adopting any pet, it’s essential to understand the financial commitment involved clearly. Let’s examine some vital economic differences and similarities between owning an Azawakh and a Greyhound.

Initial Purchase Price

Azawakh: Azawakhs are more expensive to purchase due to their rarity. The price can range from $1,200 to $1,800 or more for a puppy from a reputable breeder.
Greyhound: Greyhounds, while not as rare, can also carry a significant price tag. Puppies from breeders typically cost between $600 and $1,000. However, many people adopt retired racing Greyhounds, which can significantly lower the initial cost.

Veterinary Expenses

Azawakh: Although Azawakhs are considered relatively healthy, the cost of annual check-ups, vaccinations, and potential health issues can add up. Owners should plan for an average of $500 – $1,000 annually, not including unexpected health problems.
Greyhound: Similar to Azawakhs, Greyhound owners should budget for annual vet expenses. However, Greyhounds may be more prone to specific health issues like bloat, requiring additional veterinary attention and potentially increasing costs.

Food and Maintenance

Azawakh: Due to their dynamic nature, Azawakhs require high-quality food to maintain their energy levels. Depending on the size and activity level of your Azawakh, annual food costs can range from $300 – $500.
Greyhounds: Greyhounds are larger dogs and will eat more food than Azawakh. Annual food costs could be higher, ranging from $400 – $600.
Remember, these are estimates, and the actual costs can vary based on many factors. Always consider these expenses before bringing a pet into your home. The commitment is not only emotional but also financial.

The Verdict: Azawakh vs Greyhound

Choosing between an Azawakh and a Greyhound depends on your lifestyle, preferences, and what you want in a canine companion.
With their high energy levels and protective nature, Azawakhs could be a good match for active individuals or families looking for a watchdog. On the other hand, Greyhounds, with their gentle, relaxed disposition, might be more suited to a laid-back household.
Before deciding, potential owners should remember that every dog is an individual and that these general breed characteristics may not apply to every Azawakh or Greyhound.

Azawakh vs Greyhound

Are Azawakhs or Greyhounds more suitable for families with children?

Greyhounds, known for their gentle temperament, are often recommended for families with children. While fiercely loyal, Azawakhs might be more reserved around children and strangers.

Can I keep an Azawakh or a Greyhound in an apartment?

Both breeds can adapt to apartment living if they receive enough exercise. Remember that Azawakhs are more energetic and might need more physical activity.

Do Azawakhs or Greyhounds require a lot of grooming?

Greyhounds and Azawakhs have short coats and are considered low-maintenance in grooming. However, Greyhounds are known to shed more than Azawakhs.

Which breed is more health resilient – Azawakhs or Greyhounds?

Both breeds have their unique health concerns. However, Azawakhs are generally considered hardy, with fewer genetic health problems than many species. Regular vet checks are essential regardless of the breed.

Which breed is easier to train, the Azawakh or the Greyhound?

Training ease can vary greatly, even within a breed, depending on the individual dog’s personality. However, Greyhounds are typically more docile and eager to please, making them slightly easier to train than the more independent Azawakh.