The average price of an Azawakh puppy from a reputable breeder averages at $2000 – $2500. The African Sighthound is rare in the US with only a handful of breeders, which explains the elevated price.
Adopting an Azawakh isn’t particularly cheap; you can get one for around $400. However, it’s hard to find Azawakhs for adoption given the rarity of the breed.
The Azawakh is a high-maintenance breed, so expect to pay an additional cost for its upkeep.
Factors that Affect the Price of Azawakh
When it comes to Azawakh, the main factor that affects the price is the breeder’s offerings.
Here’s how.
Breeder’s Offers
When it comes to rare dog breeds like the Azawakh, you need to pay attention to what the breeder is offering you. Some of them are after money rather than the breed’s welfare.
Most breeders will offer you a microchip for the Azawakh puppy alongside a three-year health guarantee. You want to take that offering even if it adds to the price because it’s the only way to ensure the health condition of your dog and the purity of its bloodline.
The location and reputation of the breeder also come into play with such rare breeds.
Additional options that breeders offer include training, socialization, microchipping, and vaccination. All these factors surely increase the price of Azawakh.
Average Annual Cost of Azawakh Breed
You’ll spend an average annual cost of $1000 to $2000 to raise an Azawakh, depending on your parenting style and dog needs.
This number might jump to $2500 in the first year because of the initial screenings and additional health care requirements for puppies.
Food
Feeding an Azawakh would cost you around $200 per year.
The best practice is to keep feeding your Azawakh the same food their breeder has been feeding them and adjust gradually.
The slender body of an Azawakh tells a lot; no overeating so as not to gain weight. Plus, protein is essential to stay lean whether for competition or physical well-being.
Azawakh puppies need three to four regular meals with 20% to 25% protein content. As they grow older, adult Azawakh might do well on two meals only, given that you don’t compromise the protein content.
Veternity Care
The average annual cost for veterinary care of an Azawakh is $600 – $1500.
Unfortunately, Azawakh is prone to hip dysplasia problems, which might lead to epileptic seizures in adults. They’re also subject to auto-immune diseases and spondylosis. Less common but equally fatal health problems include Wobbler disease and Demodectic Mange.
Given their African origins, Azawakhs don’t do well in colder climates, and they need special care in such settings.
Ideally, your dog breeder should sell you the dog vaccinated. If that’s not the case, you’ll need to get your dog vaccinated for $40 to $100. Preferably, you should give them flea prevention medication, which costs $50 to $200, depending on the type.
Regular routine checkups at the vet are around $50 per session. In case they find a disease, you’ll be paying $500 -$1000 for scans and blood tests.
Dental examinations cost around $200.
Grooming
The Azawakh requires minimal grooming. Judging by its silky coat and slender body, you might expect it doesn’t shed much, and that’s true. They need occasional baths and ear wax removal.
Azawakh’s nails grow relatively fast, so you need to clip them frequently.
A $50 – $100 budget is more than enough for grooming an Azawakh annually. This includes a decent comb, brush, shampoo, and nail clipper, plus a couple of visits to a professional groomer if you need to.
Insurance
Getting insurance for Azawakh is a bit costly. It averages $400 to $500 depending on the provider.
Although it’s pricey, the insurance for the Azawakh is crucial, given the large number of medical bills you’ll have to pay for it. Some insurance companies offer up to 90% reimbursement, so generally, it’s a good investment.
Insurance plans are efficient if your dog is injured or if he suffers from a major disease.
Some insurance companies include preventative treatments and even supplements for your dog. So, if you choose a decent insurance company, you’ll be getting a good bang for your buck.
Toys
The Azawakh is an active breed that loves exercise. They make great running companions and they love company to encourage them to be active.
For this case, you might need some basic toys like KONGs to keep them occupied when they’re not exercising. They’re also beneficial in the teething phase.
The budget for toys for Azawakh shouldn’t exceed $50 – $75 annually.
Training
Azawakhs are stubborn and hard to train. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to train an Azawakh on your own.
There are plenty of options here to choose from. Group dog training classes range between $20 and $80 per class. On the other hand, private trainers charge $30 to $120 per session.
The number of sessions and their frequency depend on the trainer, your dog’s needs, and your own experience with dog training.
Home Setup
In addition to maintenance costs, you should set aside $200 to $1000 to create a convenient home environment for Azawakh.
Being a hunting hound, the Azawakh has a strong prey drive. You need to keep it outside so as not to restrict its movement.
Also, you need to fence your yard to prevent any encounters between your Azawakh and street animals.
If you don’t have a strong fence already, you need to factor in $500 to $1000 depending on the location and area of your yard.
Another essential accessory for Azawakh is a home bed. It doesn’t have to be expensive; a $30 to $40 bed will do. Try to pick a chew-proof one so that you don’t have to buy another one in a couple of years.
You’ll probably need to spare another $30 on a collar and a leash to control your Azawakh, especially around other animals and kids. Get them an ID if they don’t come with one already.
Calvin is the co-founder and one of the main contributors to dogtemperament.com. He has been an avid dog lover all his life. He enjoys researching and sharing great ideas on how you can avoid common pitfalls of dog ownership and build the most loving and enjoyable relationship with your dog.
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