Azawakh vs Borzoi
A side-by-side comparison to help you find the right breed for your lifestyle.
Azawakh
The Azawakh is a tall, elegant sighthound originating from West Africa, known for its slender build, swift speed, and strong loyalty to its family. With its distinctive almond-shaped eyes and short coat, the Azawakh excels as both a protective companion and a graceful runner.
Medium
High
10-12 yrs
N/A
Borzoi
The Borzoi, also known as the Russian Wolfhound, is a graceful and elegant sighthound known for its strikingly tall and slender build, long silky coat, and gentle demeanor. Originally bred for hunting wolves in Russia, this breed is celebrated for its speed, agility, and affectionate nature towards families.
Extra Large
Medium
7-10 years yrs
minimum 81cm cm
Quick Comparison
| Trait | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Grooming Needs | ||
| Family Friendly | ||
| Independence |
Key Characteristics
| Good with Kids | ||
| Good with Dogs | ||
| Good with Cats | ||
| Hypoallergenic | ||
| Apartment Friendly | ||
| First-Time Owner OK |
| Detail | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium | Extra Large |
| Energy Level | High | Medium |
| Grooming | Low | Medium |
| Trainability | challenging | challenging |
| Barking Level | High | Low |
| Shedding Level | Low | Medium |
| Chew strength | Light | Light |
| Housing | Yard | Yard |
Owner Fit & Decision Guide
Owner Match
| Trait | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Experience Level | Experienced | Experienced |
| First-Time Owner | ||
| Ideal Owner | Active individual or family who can provide adequate exercise and training for a Azawakh. | Active individual or family who can provide adequate exercise and training for a Borzoi. |
Azawakh Dealbreakers
- Cannot meet 60-90 min daily exercise
- Cannot commit to grooming needs
Borzoi Dealbreakers
- Cannot meet 60-80 min daily exercise
- Cannot commit to grooming needs
Surrender Risk
| Factor | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Level | Medium | Medium |
| Primary Reasons | Underestimated exercise needs, Behavioral challenges, Cost of care | Underestimated exercise needs, Behavioral challenges, Cost of care |
Temperament & Personality
Behavior Comparison
| Trait | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Prey Drive | ||
| Watchdog Ability | ||
| Stranger Friendly | ||
| Drool Level | ||
| Wanderlust |
Vocalization
| Trait | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Barking Level | High | Low |
| Howling Tendency | ||
| Whining Tendency | Low | Low |
| Separation Vocalization |
Safety & Reliability
| Trait | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Escape Artist | ||
| Dog Park Suitable | ||
| Off-Leash Reliable | ||
| Small Animal Safe | ||
| Leash Reactivity | ||
| Resource Guarding Risk | Low | Low |
Azawakh Social Traits
Moderate
Generally friendly
Borzoi Social Traits
Moderate
Generally friendly
Training
Azawakh
- ** Positive reinforcement only. Harsh methods will cause them to shut down or become defensive.
Borzoi
- ** Positive reinforcement only. Harsh methods cause them to shut down or become defensive.
Azawakh Considerations
Unlike the Golden Retriever who loves everyone, the Azawakh is genetically wired to be suspicious. They are "camp guardians". They do not just ignore strangers; they actively distrust them. If you want a dog to take to breweries or busy festivals, this is the breed. They may bark, back away, or snap if a stranger forces interaction.
While they are sighthounds, they are also watchdogs. They will alert bark at anything unusual in their environment. This territoriality can extend to "resource guarding" their owners or furniture.
They score very low on "biddability." They do not obey commands to please you; they obey if it makes sense to them. Traditional obedience training methods often fail or break the dog's spirit. They require a relationship based on mutual respect, not dominance.
Borzoi Considerations
The Borzoi possesses a predatory sequence (Eye → Stalk → Chase → Grab → Kill). They are hardwired to chase anything that moves quickly. This makes them a significant risk to cats, small dogs, rabbits, and even wildlife. A Borzoi that lives peacefully with an indoor cat may still kill that same cat if they encounter it running outdoors.
They are not biddable. They do not obey commands for the sake of pleasing you. If they see prey, their recall is virtually non-existent. They require a securely fenced area (minimum 6ft/1.8m) to run; "invisible fences" are useless against their drive.
They are often described as "cat-like." They may not greet you at the door with enthusiasm or want to cuddle constantly. They are affectionate on their own terms.
Multi-Species Compatibility
| Species | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| With Cats | Caution - may chase | Caution - may chase |
| Small Mammals | Supervision required | Supervision required |
| Birds / Reptiles | Caution advised | Caution advised |
Advanced Behavior
| Trait | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Predatory Sequence Risk | Medium | Medium |
| Biddability | Low | Low |
| Noise Sensitivity | Low | Low |
| Territorial Barking | ||
| Same-Sex Aggression Onset | 18 months | 18 months |
First Year & Life Stages
First Year Challenges
| Challenge | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Difficulty | ||
| Destructive Phase | 6-18 | 6-18 |
| House Training | Moderate | Easy |
| Crate Training | Medium | Medium |
| Adolescent Regression |
Azawakh: Azawakh puppies require consistent training and patience.
Borzoi: Borzoi puppies require consistent training and patience.
Life Stages Timeline
| Stage | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Phase | 12 months | 12 months |
| Adolescence | 6-18 | 6-18 |
| Adult Years | 2-8 | 2-8 |
| Senior Onset | ~8 years | ~8 years |
| Peak Energy Age | 1-3 years | 1-3 years |
Size & Physical Characteristics
Physical Stats
| Measurement | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Height | N/A | minimum 81cm cm |
| Weight | Not enough data yet | Not enough data yet |
| Size Category | Medium | Extra Large |
| Lifespan | 10–12 years | 7–10 years |
| Litter Size | 4-8 | 4-8 |
Azawakh Coat
Borzoi Coat
Lineage & Origin
| Detail | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Original Purpose | The Azawakh is the sighthound of the Tuareg and Fula people of the Southern Sahara/Sahel | The Borzoi (formerly Russian Wolfhound) was developed by the Russian aristocracy for coursing wolves |
| Origin | predators and intruders | N/A |
Breeding Details
| Detail | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| C-Section Rate | Varies | Varies |
| Whelping Difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Puppy Mortality Rate | Low | Low |
Physical Risks
| Risk | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Bloat / GDV Risk | Low | Low |
| Slippery Floor Risk | Low | Low |
| Min Fence Height | 1.5m | 1.5m |
| Dig / Escape Risk | Low | Low |
Health & Common Conditions
Azawakh Health Issues
Borzoi Health Issues
Azawakh Suggested Tests
- Thyroid tests
- Heart evaluations
- Eye exams
Borzoi Suggested Tests
- Prophylactic gastropexy
- Annual cardiac screening (echocardiogram)
- Genetic testing of parents for PRA
- Regular dental care
- Consult a vet experienced with sighthounds for anesthesia
Health Risk Overview
| Risk Factor | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer Risk | Medium | Medium |
| Cardiac Risk | Low | Low |
| Neurological Risk | Low | Low |
| CCL/ACL Tear Risk | Low | Low |
| Vet Burden Tier | Medium | Medium |
Sensitivities & Allergies
| Sensitivity | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Skin Allergies | ||
| Environmental Allergies | ||
| Stomach Sensitivity | Low | Low |
| Food Allergies |
Health Maintenance
| Care Item | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Nail Growth Rate | Normal | Normal |
| Eye Care Needs | Low | Low |
| Anal Gland Issues | Occasional | Occasional |
Senior Care & Aging
Azawakh Senior Care
Common Senior Issues
- Arthritis
- Vision decline
- Cognitive changes
Senior care varies by individual health.
Borzoi Senior Care
Common Senior Issues
- Arthritis
- Vision decline
- Cognitive changes
Senior care varies by individual health.
Grooming & Care
Azawakh
low maintenanceBorzoi
medium maintenanceLifestyle Compatibility
Azawakh Daily Life
Borzoi Daily Life
Housing & Legal Restrictions
| Restriction | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| BSL Restricted | ||
| Common Rental Ban | ||
| Insurance Blacklist | ||
| Weight Category | Under 50lbs | Under 50lbs |
Climate Tolerance
| Climate | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Tolerance | ||
| Cold Tolerance | ||
| Water Affinity | Medium | Medium |
Travel Compatibility
| Activity | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Car Travel | Good | Good |
| Camping | ||
| Beach Friendly | ||
| Hiking Rating | ||
| Cabin Flight Eligible | ||
| Hotel Friendly Size |
Niche Suitability
| Role | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Service Dog | Low | Low |
| Therapy Dog | Low | Low |
| Deep Pressure Therapy | ||
| Canicross / Bikejoring | ||
| Apartment Adaptable | ||
| Tactile / Sensory Friendly | ||
| Livestock Guardian | ||
| Medical Alert | Low | Low |
Costs & Expenses
Upfront Costs
| Cost | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | N/A | N/A |
| Initial Cost Range | $1,000–$2,500 | $1,000–$2,500 |
| Cost Tier |
Ongoing Costs
| Cost | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Range | $80–$140 | $180–$300 |
| Yearly Range | $960–$1,680 | $2,160–$3,600 |
| Food / Month | $50-80 | $100-150 |
| Insurance / Month | N/A | $80-150 |
| Grooming / Session | N/A | N/A |
| Vet Routine / Year | $500-1 | $500-800 |
| Monthly Cost Tier |
Azawakh Lifetime Cost
N/A
Borzoi Lifetime Cost
N/A
Quirks & Fun Facts
Daily Quirks
| Quirk | Azawakh | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Snoring | ||
| Flatulence | Occasional | Occasional |
| Slobber Level | Low | Low |
| Smell When Wet | Moderate | Moderate |
| Zoomies Frequency | Occasional | Occasional |
| Counter Surfing | ||
| Digging Tendency | Low | Low |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Compare with Other Breeds
Based on comprehensive breed research data.