How Much Does an Azawakh Cost in 2024?

Characteristics of an Azawakh

The Azawakh got its name from the Azawakh Valley region in West Africa where the breed first originated. The Azawakh is a tall, slender sighthound with a short, smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, including red, fawn, and brindle. The breed is known for the speed and endurance that make it a capable hunting dog and can reach speeds of up to 65 km/h. While often used to catch gazelle and other games, Azawakhs also make great running partners for active pet parents.

The Tuareg, Fula, and various other nomads of the Sahara and sub-Saharan Sahel in the countries of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, know the breed as ‘Oska.’ These dogs are known to form a deep bond with their human companions. In temperament, the Azawakh ranges from being a tranquil lap dog to a formidable hunter.

In addition to its hunting skills, the breed is recognized for its high intelligence and impressive memory, making it likely to recognize a companion even after a prolonged period of separation. Before bringing home an Azawakh, it's crucial to understand that they were originally bred in the wild and are inherently suited for such environments. Their natural instincts are deeply ingrained.

What is the price of an Azawakh? 

Several factors can influence the price of an Azawakh, including the dog’s age, the breeder’s reputation, the dog’s bloodline, their coat color, and the location of the breeder to some extent. Once you've gotten your new puppy home, there are a few recurring costs that you should be aware of. We've created a list with some of the estimated costs for you below -

Purchase: $2000 – $3000  

The Azawakh is a rare dog breed making it quite expensive to purchase. The average price of an Azawalk pup can range between $2000-$3000 if you choose to get your puppy from a breeder.¹

If you want to bring home an Azawakh puppy while avoiding the high price tag, your best bet would be to try and find an Azawakh puppy that is up for adoption in a shelter. However, finding an Azawalk at a rescue shelter can be difficult given the rarity of the breed so another option is to look for an Azawakh puppy that is being rehomed. If you can find an Azawakh puppy that is up for adoption, fees will likely range between $50-$500.² As you prepare to bring home your new puppy, take a look at our dog adoption checklist.

Monthly costs for an Azawakh

Diet: $60-$100

It is crucial to provide an Azawakh with a well-rounded diet consisting of high-quality dog food enriched with vital vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Depending on their age and size, they typically require 1-3 cups of food per day. The associated cost falls within the range of $60 to $100 per month.

Grooming: $50-$100

The good thing about these dogs is that they need little grooming given their short coat. It is recommended that you get them groomed 4 - 6 times a year to help ensure their hair, nails, teeth, eyes, and ears are properly cleaned. Each grooming session will cost around $50-$75. However, daily brushing, regular nail trimming, and teeth cleaning, and ear cleaning are still recommended.

Medical Costs: $50-$100

During the initial year, it's necessary to schedule 3-4 visits to the vet for routine check-ups, tests, and examinations to evaluate the overall health of your dog. These visits typically cost approximately $200-$250 each, which comes out to about $50-$100 per month.

Beyond routine check-ups, dogs may develop various conditions and diseases throughout their lifetime. Among the most common conditions for this breed are hypothyroidism, cardiac problems, and patellar luxation.³ The potential expenses for treating these conditions could include -

Hypothyroidism - $1000-$2500

Heart Conditions – Heart surgeries can cost up to $20,000 and monthly medication bills can cost an additional $100

Patellar luxation - $1000-$5000

Preventive medications like heartworm prevention, flea and tick medication, and deworming would cost another $100-$200 annually.

One-time costs for an Azawakh

Initial Costs: $500-$600

Before bringing your Azawakh home, there are a few initial supplies you should purchase. These can include -

In total, you can expect the initial cost of supplies for your puppy to be about $400-$500.

Microchipping: $50-$70

Microchipping increases the chances of finding a lost dog. If your breeder has not already had the puppy microchipped, it will cost about $50 to have your vet implant the chip. If you adopted your puppy from a shelter, it likely already has a microchip - just remember to register the microchip.

Vaccines: $75-$150

The typical cost for core vaccines ranges from $75 to $100 and usually covers DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo, and parainfluenza), and rabies.¹ If your dog is from a shelter, they likely already have vaccinations; otherwise, getting them vaccinated at the shelter's clinic is usually more budget-friendly.

There are also additional optional vaccines to consider, such as Bordetella, Influenza, Leptospirosis, Lyme Disease, etc., each costing an additional $15-$20.

Miscellaneous

Certain miscellaneous expenses, such as dog walking, training, dog sitting, traveling, park visits, etc., cannot always be predicted. For instance, basic obedience training may range from $100 to $300 per session, while specialized training sessions could go up to $500 each. Budgeting around $300 to $500 per year for these expenses is advisable, depending on your preferences and choices.

Lifetime Azawakh Cost

The monthly expenses for an Azawakh dog typically range from $120 to $150, totaling annual costs of approximately $1,440 to $1,800. Projecting to the upper end of the average lifespan of 15 years, the overall estimated cost amounts to about $21,600 to $27,000. Including one-time expenses and adoption costs the lifetime expenditure comes out to around $30,000.

Conclusion

Uncommon, lively, and intelligent, the Azawakh is a fascinating breed with distinctive qualities. Despite minimal grooming requirements and slightly elevated dietary needs, the average lifetime cost is estimated to be around $30,000. The profound love and bond formed with this breed make the investment entirely worthwhile.

However, when unexpected medical conditions impact our cherished pets, treatment costs can become substantial. That is why we recommend you consider getting pet insurance for your pet!

Happy Parenting to you and Lots of Love to your Pup!