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Azawakh, the newest dog breed to be recognized by the American Kennel Club, is actually not new at all! This leggy hound has been around for thousands of years!

The American Kennel Club (AKC^®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, announced that the Azawakh (pronounced Oz-a-wok) has gained full AKC recognition. This new addition to the AKC registry became eligible to compete in its group on January 1, 2019.

“We’re excited to have the Azawakh join the AKC family,” said AKC Executive Secretary Gina DiNardo. “This wonderful breed has been around for thousands of years, and we’re happy to introduce it to dog lovers in this country. As with any breed, it’s important to do research and find the right one to fit your lifestyle.”

An ancient hunting sighthound from West Africa, the Azawakh joins the Hound Group. The breed originated as a guardian, hunter, and companion to nomads. They would hunt hare, antelope, and wild boar, and are tough, durable, and very fast. The Azawakh is leggy and elegant-looking, with a short, fine coat that needs occasional brushing. They are relatively calm dogs indoors but have tremendous energy and endurance outside and must have regular exercise. Azawakhs bond strongly with their owners and are affectionate, playful companions. They can be aloof towards strangers.

To become an AKC recognized breed there must be a minimum number of dogs geographically distributed throughout the U.S., as well as an established breed club of responsible owners and breeders. Breeds working towards full recognition are recorded in AKC’s Foundation Stock Service^® (FSS^®). Additional information on the process can be found at akc.org.

About the American Kennel Club

Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function.  Along with its more than 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 22,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite and the AKC Museum of the Dog.  For more information, visit www.akc.org.