Although the Azawakh’s AKC breed standard does not mention it,  the 21st edition of the AKC’s Complete Dog Book points out that the breed has an uncanny combination of total loyalty and independence,  two traits that would seem to be odds with each other.  This observation captures a key paradox that actually defines how the Azawakh relates to its people and its environment.

Characteristics that seem paradoxical at first glance are actually a hallmark of the breed’s temperament. This is an intensely loyal breed that forms strong attachments to their chosen people, but this is also a breed that cannot divorce itself from its history as a nomadic hunting dog that needed to operate autonomously in the wild, often making its own decisions unfettered by a need to consult the approval of those same people. In modern homes, this often appears as a dog that is deeply bonded yet not clingy, preferring to stay near its people while still maintaining a certain emotional distance.

It’s helpful to remember that the Azawakh comes from the Sahel region of West Africa where nomadic tribes like the Tuareg bred them to protect livestock, but also to hunt game like gazelle and hare. Survival in the vast and often sparsely populated desert demanded two seemingly opposite traits.  Hunters couldn’t constantly supervise their dogs, so the Azawakh had to think for him or herself, and make decisions about tracking or confronting prey, often in a dangerous environment. This called for confidence in its problem-solving skills, and is one reason why the breed is self-reliant even today.

Despite its independence, however, an Azawakh’s primary duty was serve their human family, and this resulted in deep bonds and a loyalty born of a crucial human-dog partnership.

The two traits, then, aren’t contradictory—they’re complimentary. Those lucky enough to love an Azawakh know this about their dog, and embrace its affectionate and dignified nature, even as it maintains a certain aloofness with strangers.  Understanding this balance helps set realistic expectations: an Azawakh is best suited to an owner who respects its independence, provides clear structure, and values a thoughtful, sensitive companion rather than a perpetually eager-to-please dog.

Photo of Azawakh puppies by animalinfo/iStock