Afghan Hound – Dog Breed Characteristics & Facts

The Afghan Hound Dog Breed epitomizes elegance. This rare, ancient breed of dog has an appearance that is unmatched by any other breed: a dramatic, silky coat, an exotic face, and a thin, model-like build. Despite its appearance, Afghan enthusiasts describe this dog as aloof and humorous.

The Afghan dog breed, which originated in Afghanistan and was originally known by the name Tazi, is one of the oldest dog breeds and is believed to have existed before Christianity. Despite being purebred dogs, Afghan Hounds may be found in shelters or under the care of rescue organizations. If you think this breed is right for you, consider adoption!

These dogs are affectionate and versatile, thriving in practically any home and family size. However, maintaining that expensive coat will take a lot of your time, and you’ll also need to work out frequently to keep up with their high energy levels. If you can give them the care they require, you’ll have a devoted friend who will undoubtedly draw attention to themselves with their stunning appearance.

PetsCareTip suggests this large, roomy crate to provide your large Afghan with a place to rest and unwind. For your long-haired dog, you should also purchase this dog brush and massager!

Details about Afghan Hound Dog Breeds characteristics are listed below.

Afghan Hound Dog Breed Picture

Afghan Hound Dog Breed Characteristics:

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More information for Afghan Hound Dog Breed

In Afghanistan’s mountains and deserts, where his thick, flowing coat was needed for warmth, the Afghan Hound was initially employed for hunting large prey. The Afghan was prized for his ability to run quickly and far, bravely fending off dangerous animals like leopards until his huntsman on horseback caught up. The Afghan was also prized for his capacity for independent thought and for hunting without human guidance.

Although the Afghan Hound of today doesn’t hunt leopards, it still has the same independent spirit as a coursing hound. Like puppies of any breed, an Afghan puppy will eagerly seek affection from family members, but this behavior can deceive uninformed owners. With age, the Afghan stops acting like a cute puppy. A mature Afghan Hound is reserved with their attention and occasionally doesn’t even want to be petted or hugged. The independent, free-thinking Afghan will make his own decisions about when he wants affection, and it will happen on his terms, not yours.

Aside from his independence and indifference, the Afghan Hound can be very entertaining and tender when he wants to be. The Afghan Hound is known to be mischievous and stories abound of this breed’s ability to steal items from under the noses of family members, even going as far as to open dresser drawers and snatch clothes. He is frequently referred to as a “clown” by his loving family.

The Afghan is naturally suited for the sport of lure coursing because of his superior vision to that of humans and his pivotal hip joints, which allow him to cover ground quickly and easily clear obstacles. In lure coursing, plastic bags are used to simulate escaping game while the hounds chase after them. The dog’s ability to hunt by sight and basic coursing instincts are put to the test in this competition. The American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) started a program that is still in operation today and is adored by both owners and dogs.

The Afghan Hound is a distinctive breed that excels at both coursing competition and family companionship.

Highlights

• It’s important to groom. An Afghan Hound should only be considered by those who really enjoy grooming or are willing to pay a professional groomer to do it.

• The neighbor’s cat, your son’s rabbit, the third-grade class hamster, etc. are all examples of prey that the Afghan will chase because of his natural hunting instinct.

• Due to his independence, the Afghan Hound can be difficult to train. Training can take a while, so patience is needed. Housebreaking can be challenging. Up until the age of about six months, this breed can still have accidents inside the house.

• The Afghan Hound has a low threshold for discomfort. This breed can sometimes come off as whiny or babyish, and minor wounds bother them more than they do other breeds.

• Being rough with an Afghan Hound will not make them respond well because they are sensitive and spirited.

• It is best if the puppy grows up with the children he will live with and that the kids are old enough to understand the value of being mindful of this dog’s sensitive nature, despite the fact that this breed is typically good—even loving—with kids.

• Never purchase a puppy from an irresponsible breeder, a puppy mill, or a pet shop if you want a healthy dog. Find a reputable breeder who tests her breeding dogs to ensure that they are healthy and free of genetic diseases that they could pass on to the puppies.

History

The Afghan Hound originated in Afghanistan, where the breed’s previous name was Tazi. The breed has long been believed to have existed before the birth of Christ. The Afghan Hound is one of the oldest dog breeds, dating back thousands of years, according to recent DNA research.

An English officer posted close to Kabul is the first Western Afghan breeder to be identified in writing. In 1925, he shipped Afghan Hounds from his Ghazni Kennel to England, where they eventually ended up in America. The Afghan Hound Club of America was granted membership in the American Kennel Club in 1940 after the breed was recognized by the AKC in 1926.

One of the first people to introduce Afghan Hounds to America was Zeppo Marx of the Marx Brothers. When Barbie, who generates more than 80% of Mattel’s profits, and Beauty, her pet Afghan Hound, entered the homes and hearts of countless American girls in the late 1970s, the hound’s popularity skyrocketed. The popularity of the breed increased during this same decade with the emergence of lure coursing competitions. Despite its independence, the Afghan has expanded into obedience competition since the 1980s, when it first rose to fame in the AKC show ring.

Size

Males average about 60 pounds and are 27 inches (plus or minus one inch) tall, while females are 25 inches (plus or minus one inch) and weigh about 50 pounds.

Personality

The Afghan Hound usually belongs to a single person or family. Do not expect this dog to ecstatically welcome your guests. He’ll probably irritate them by showing indifference to their presence. Hounds are not known for being good watchdogs, though some of them may bark once or twice when a stranger enters the house.

It is difficult to train Afghans because of their independent thinking. This hound typically isn’t driven by food and doesn’t have as much of a desire to please people as many other breeds do (Golden Retriever, for example). Even though the Afghan, for instance, puts on a stunning performance in the show ring, more than one expert handler has been embarrassed in front of the crowd by a refusal to cooperate. Even so, this breed has a reputation for outperforming others when given the freedom to choose.

This dog may become withdrawn or mildly antagonistic when handled roughly. With this breed, gentle handling, kindness, and patience are best along with a realization that there will be times when the dog just won’t cooperate.

Health

Although Afghans are generally in good health, they are susceptible to some health issues like all breeds. Even though not all Afghans will contract any or all of these illnesses, it’s still important to be aware of them if you’re thinking about buying one.

Find a reputable breeder who will provide you with the health clearances for both of your puppy’s parents if you are purchasing a puppy. Health certifications attest to a dog’s having undergone testing and being declared free of a specific ailment. You should anticipate seeing health certificates for von Willebrand’s disease, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and thrombopathia from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), thrombopathia from Auburn University, and normal eyes from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) in Afghans. You can check the OFA website to confirm health clearances (offa.org).

Care

Afghan Hounds prefer to be with their families inside. They are relaxed and peaceful inside the home, but they need daily exercise, ideally consisting of a leash walk or run along with a free run in a fenced area.

If you intend to confine your hound to a yard, high, sturdy fencing is a necessity. The Afghan is a skilled escape artist and is extremely challenging to capture. (Keep in mind that he can outrun horses!) Positive reinforcement training techniques are best for consistently teaching obedience.

Feeding

Two meals a day, each containing 2 to 2.5 cups of premium dry food, are advised.

NOTE: The amount of food your adult dog consumes is influenced by his size, age, build, metabolism, and level of activity. Like people, each dog is unique, so they don’t all require the same amount of food. A highly active dog will require more than a couch potato dog, which should almost go without saying. The kind of dog food you purchase also matters; the better the food, the more effectively it will nourish your dog and the less you will need to shake into the bowl.

Instead of leaving food out all the time, keep your Afghan healthy by feeding him twice a day and measuring out his food. Give him the hands-on and eye tests if you’re not sure if he’s obese. Look down at him first. There should be a waist visible. After that, lay your hands on his back with your thumbs along his spine and your fingers spread outward. Without exerting much pressure, you should be able to feel his ribs but not see them. He needs less food and more exercise if you can’t.

See our recommendations for selecting the best food, feeding your puppy, and feeding your adult dog for more information on how to feed your Afghan.

Coat Design and Maintenance

When maintained properly, the Afghan coat is magnificent. It has a very fine texture that is thick and silky and resembles human hair. There is a long, silky topknot on the head. Every part of the body, including the ears and feet, is heavily covered in hair, with the exception of the back. In mature dogs, the hair is smooth, short, and close along the back.

The American Kennel Club breed standard (standardized rules for the breed) permits any solid color, though some color combinations are deemed to be more aesthetically pleasing than others.

For the Afghan, grooming is essential. The coat is fine and tends to tangle easily because of this. Regular brushing and combing, possibly even daily, as well as frequent bathing, are essential. Because grooming the Afghan takes so much time and effort, many owners decide to hire a professional to keep the coat in good condition. Although owners can learn to manage the coat if they are willing to put in the effort, grooming the Afghan takes a lot of time and effort.

Ear infections are common in all breeds with pendant, or hanging, ears. Weekly check your Afghan’s ears, and clean them with a cotton ball moistened with a cleanser your vet recommends. Never insert anything, including cotton swabs, into the ear canal because doing so could harm it. If the inside of your Afghan’s ears smells unpleasant, appears red or tender, or if he frequently shakes his head or scratches at his ears, he may have an ear infection.

To get rid of tartar accumulation and the bacteria that live inside it, brush your Afghan’s teeth at least two or three times per week. Even better than twice-daily brushing is prevention of bad breath and gum disease.

If your dog doesn’t naturally wear down his nails, you should trim them once or twice a month. They are too long if you can hear them clicking on the floor. Short, neatly trimmed nails keep the feet in good shape and guard against scratches on your legs when your Irish Setter jumps up to greet you.

As soon as your Afghan puppy is old enough, start exposing him to brushing and examinations. Dogs are sensitive when it comes to their feet, so handle his paws frequently and examine his mouth and ears. Lay the groundwork for simple veterinary exams and other handling when he’s an adult by making grooming a rewarding experience filled with praise and rewards.

While grooming, keep an eye out for sores, rashes, or infection-related symptoms like redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the ears, nose, mouth, or eyes, as well as on the feet. Clear eyes without any redness or discharge are ideal. You can identify potential health issues early on thanks to your thorough weekly exam.

Kids and other animals

The Afghan is best suited as an adult companion due to his independence and size. The Afghan is unlikely to want to play with kids and follow them around. In fact, the Afghan can be startled by a child’s brisk movements and volume of noise. However, with the right socialization, an Afghan can become lovable and accustomed to living in a family with children.

The Afghan Hound prefers to hang out with other members of his own species, the Afghan Hounds. The Afghan will put up with other household pets, even if they bother it. Unsurprisingly, the Afghan’s natural hunting propensity causes him to pursue small animals, especially if they flee.

Rescue Teams

Afghans are frequently bought without a clear understanding of what owning one entails. Numerous Afghans require adoption, fostering, or both. We have not included all of the rescues that have occurred. Contact the national breed club or a local breed club to find an Afghan rescue if you can’t find one listed for your region.

You can learn more about the Afghan Hound by visiting the clubs, associations, and organizations listed below.

Creator: PetsCareTip