Azawakh vs Greyhound: Complete Breed Comparison

Are you dreaming of owning a sleek, loyal, and fast dog? Then, two breeds often come into the limelight: the Azawakh and the Greyhound. But how do they compare?

Surprisingly, both of these breeds are slim, graceful, and lightning-fast. Despite this, they are different in their origin, temperament, and care needs. 

So if you're confused by these two, this expert guide will help you to understand which breed suits your home, lifestyle, and heart.

Still stuck on what to do or what not to do? Okay, let's remove your confusion with a whistle!

Origins and History

When you want to choose the best suits for yourself. You have to know the origins nd history of these two breeds. They both share the sighthound group, still both come with very different backgrounds. Details are-

Azawakh

• Origin: Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso (Sahara region)
• Bred for: Hunting, guarding, companionship
• Culturally important to African tribes
• Still rare and close to its original genetics

Greyhound

Unlike the Azawakh (with African history), the  Greyhound has a long European history. But the breed enthusiast also believes that this breed has roots in ancient Egypt. But over time, they started to be used in European society for hunting and racing purposes.

• Origin: Ancient Egypt. Over time,  refined in Europe.
• Bred for: Speed and sport.
• Famous for dog racing.
• Popular in pet adoption after racing retirement.

Physical Differences

Both are slim and athletic, but different in their structure. While the Azawakh has a leaner and more angular structure, the Greyhound features a more muscular and bulkier physical structure.

Azawakh

• Height: 64-74 cm
• Weight: 15-25 kg
• Build: Lean, angular. Even in a healthy situation, they look bonier.
• Chest & Legs: Flatter ribcage, exceptionally long legs.
• Coat: Short and fine; often reddish-brown, sandy. Fawn with white markings
• Function/Form: Built for hot environments (Desert environment)

Greyhound

• Height: 68-76 cm
• Weight: 27-40 kg
• Build: Muscular and aerodynamic-deeper chest, more powerful hindquarters.
• Chest & Legs: Deep ribcage and strong thighs.
• Coat: Smooth coat in a wide variety of colors (black, white, brindle, and blue).
• Function/Form: Optimized for short-distance sprinting and racing

The key difference in their physical appearance is that Azawakh has the look of a desert hunter-light, angular, and high-legged for long-distance movement. On the other hand, Greyhound is a sprinter, more compact, muscular, and built for explosive speed.

Temperament Comparison 

You might have noticed in the comparison table that I mentioned their temperament comparison. However, both these dogs are very calm and gentle, but they act differently depending on the situation. 

Like, Azawakh are proactive and gentle, but they act very reserved with an unknown person. This dog needs more time to form a bond, but once it does, the Azawakh becomes deeply attached to its family. 

Again, Greyhound is very sweet, gentle. They love cuddles and adjust well to new people and homes

Azawakh

• Independent thinker
• Needs early socialization
• Naturally cautious and territorial

Greyhound

• Friendly, even with strangers
• Quiet and relaxed indoors
• Generally non-aggressive

If you want a dog that will guard your house, consider an Azawakh. If you're looking for a chill companion who enjoys napping on your couch, consider the Greyhound.

Health and Lifespan

Though booths are healthy, they have different health issues/risk factors. Azawakh is lean, but this doesn't mean they are weak; instead, they are athletic survivors. The owners must recognize their specific needs to understand them truly. 

The same is for the Greyhound; they are more muscular, but this doesn't mean it's consistently strong or fierce. So, just the owner needs to understand their physico-chemical pattern and their needs.

Azawakh

• Tough desert dog with few inherited issues
• Sensitive to cold due to low fat
• Lifespan: 12-15 years

Greyhound:

• Can suffer from bloat, hip problems, or old racing injuries
• Prone to dental and skin issues if not well cared for
• Lifespan: 10-14 years

Also read: Azawakh vs Sloughi - Which desert sighthound is healthier and more resilient?

Trainability and Intelligence

Azawakh is smart, but more willful. So, before exposure to unknown people or environments, these breeds need to receive frequent soft/firm training. On the other hand, Greyhounds are much easier to train. These breeds desire to please and have a calm nature.

Azawakh

• Independent and alert
• Not eager to please, so harder to train
• Learns best with calm, consistent training

Greyhound

• Responds well to positive reinforcement
• Already leash-trained if adopted from a racing program
• Generally obedient and eager to relax

If you are a first-time dog owner, we suggest choosing the Greyhound. The Azawakh Dog Breed could be for you if you are already experienced with dogs and now want to take on a new challenge!

Living Requirements and Lifestyle Compatibility

Greyhound is better suited for city or apartment owners. For a large yard and an active lifestyle, the Azawakh is the perfect choice. 

Azawakh

• Needs space to run 
• Needs regular mental stimulation
• Does better in warm climates
• Not suitable for homes with small pets

Greyhound

• Loves indoors and adapts to small apartments
• Okay with short walks and lots of napping
• Retired racers are calm and well-behaved

Grooming and Maintenance

Both require minimal maintenance for their grooming. Since their coat is short, it doesn't easily trap dirt, nor does it need to be groomed frequently. Also, they don't shed too much! 

Azawakh

• Needs extra care in winter, sensitive to cold
• Occasional brushing is enough
• Check ears, nails, and teeth monthly.

Greyhound

• Even easier to groom
• Bathe occasionally and wipe down weekly
• Dental care is important

Azawakh vs Greyhound Speed Comparison

Already, we have seen in the comparison table that they only have a nearly five mph speed difference from each other. Both are incredibly fast, but you can achieve the result in different ways. Greyhounds are sprinters, while Azawakhs are runners built for desert hunting.

Greyhound

• Top speed: ~45 mph (~72 km/h)
• Best at short bursts of speed
• Famous for their racing ability

Azawakh

• Top speed: ~40 mph (~64 km/h)
• Better stamina in long-distance chases
• Performs well in hot, dry conditions.

So if you need pure speed, go Greyhound. The Azawakh is good at keeping pace on a long hike.

Azawakh vs Greyhound - Comparison at a Glance

Before diving into the depths of the comparison, let's talk about some basic things about these two breeds. While both the Azawakh and the Greyhound are known for their speed, slim build, and sighthound status, reality is-they come from very different worlds. 

Azawakh is a breed that is desert-born and bred by the nomadic tribes. The Greyhound, on the other hand, is a refined racing dog, famous for its grace, calm nature, and long history in Europe.

They have a similar appearance, but they differ in personality, build, adaptability, and lifestyle needs. So let's see the comparison table of these two so that you can get a quick, side-by-side look at their most important traits.

Conclusion - Which one do you need exactly?

The best suits among Azawakh and Greyhound depend on what you want from a dog in terms of temperament, training, lifestyle, or even beauty. However, let's give you a shortcut way to choose the best-

Choose Azawakh if you desire:

• A rare, desert-bred companion
• Loyalty and independence
• A protective, athletic dog
• A dog that suits a broader area

Choose Greyhound if you desire:

• A calm, low-maintenance family pet
• A dog that fits apartment/city life
• An affectionate and easy-going buddy

Still stuck in desert hound breeds? You should read more about the Sloughi dog breed, another fabulous runner of the great Sahara!

However, any more queries for Azawakh vs Grehound? Okay, let's discuss face-to-face! Inbox us directly!