The Afghan Hound is a truly elegant and reserved dog, renowned for its unparalleled beauty.
They looked like they were from royalty but were loyal so deep, had sensitive natures, and could love only those they recognized with absolute love.
About the Afghan Hound
These ancient sighthounds have their roots in the deserts of Afghanistan. They were initially bred for hunting such big animals as gazelles and leopards, but today they are just generally loved as pets.
Breed Sound
Breed Details
Physical Characteristics
The Afghan Hound represents grace and comes from a highly respected family of dogs.
The breed is very tall, with the males usually being 27 to 29 inches and the females 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder.
The most prominent feature of an Afghan Hound is their long and very silky coat, that is basically the whole body except for the face and the back (saddle area).
These dogs have very prominent hip bones, large paw pads that have a function of shock absorbers on the rocky ground, and a typical ring curl at the tip of the tail.
Their head is long and smooth, with eyes schematically triangular that are slightly tilted upwards, thus giving them the typical “Eastern” look.
Temperament / Personality
Afghan Hounds are famous for their dignified and aloof character, that they have been on the whole likened to cats due to the level of their independence.
They have a “lovable bit of silliness” underneath their royal they can certainly make a joyful and clownish impression when playing.
These very enharmonic dogs are highly sensitive that generate deep emotional connections with their families while nevertheless being suspicious of strangers.
They have a strong drive to chase prey by their hunting heritage and thus, they are very likely to chase after small animals.
Afghan Hounds are quite intelligent but they are also independent thinkers, which is why they may seem stubborn during the training process.
Health
Afghan Hounds predominantly live 11-14 years on average but have also been affected by several health issues. They suffer from allergies, cancer, and hip dysplasia as the primary health conditions.
Since they are like other sighthounds, they have low body fat, which makes them more sensitive to anesthesia.
The breed is especially vulnerable to chylothorax, a condition that is not common but is very serious as it affects the thoracic ducts.
Besides that, the dog would also suffer from hypothyroidism, laryngeal paralysis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and various eye diseases such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat) is the only condition that concerns in this breed with a deep chest.
Grooming
Afghan Hounds are the proud owners of a luxurious coat that can be kept in top condition only if they are thoroughly groomed.
The fur is usually washed every 1-2 weeks for pet dogs and twice a week for show dogs. Be sure that you do not
The Afghan Hound. A professional grooming is needed every 6-8 weeks for the best coat maintenance.
Exercise
Afghan Hounds are highly energetic dogs and require substantial daily exercise to meet their activity needs.
For their optimal mental and physical health, they need to do more than 2 hours of physical exercise every day.
Adult dogs will be happy with 60-90 minutes of such activities as running, hiking, and mental stimulation.
These dogs definitely need a securely fenced yard of at least 6 feet high, as they can jump significant heights and are also good hunters.
In no case, they should not be let off-leash in unfenced areas as their hunting instincts and speed can drive them away – they can sprint at 40 mph.
Exercise regularly can keep them from behavioral problems, also it will be good for their physical health.
Training
Training Afghan Hounds is not an easy task and one must have lots of patience and be consistent because they are very independent.
The dogs that are ranked the lowest in Stanley Coren’s obedience intelligence study, I mean they are the most intelligent, were the Afghan Hounds, that reportedly needed more than 80 repetitions to grasp new commands.
The principle of positive reinforcement is the most successful when entities use treats, compliments, and the short 5-10-minute training sessions with the intention to keep their focus intact.
Recent socialization is very important to avoid that the dog should become shy and cautious towards strangers.
It is recommended to establish simple commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come” first.
Their high sensitivity can result in a negative effect if harsh corrections are made, therefore keeping a happy and uplifting tone while giving confidence and trust is the most efficient way.
Nutrition
Afghan Hounds are the most luxurious sighthounds and thus their nutrition should be of the highest quality and designed for their specific needs.
They must have high-quality protein from real meat sources such as chicken, turkey or lamb, to keep their lean muscle mass.
Healthy fats, especially Omega-3 and Omega-6, are indispensable for a luxurious coat and for preventing skin problems.
Adult dogs should be fed twice a day with portions that are adjusted according to their age, weight, and activity level to avoid joint problems caused by obesity.
A diet low in fat may be beneficial in minimizing the chances of chylothorax, which is a serious disease of this breed.
Clean water should be there at all times and a lot of dogs are benefiting from high-quality commercial foods or raw feeding programs that are carefully balanced for them.
Suitability
Afghan Hounds can extend their paw of friendship in a family, however, that does not necessarily mean they are suitable for every person.
They are better suited for families with older children rather than very young ones, as they can be sensitive to overwhelming attention.
These dogs definitely want experienced dog owners who know their independent nature and are prepared for grooming.
Besides, they are not the best choice for living in an apartment and require large, secure and well-fenced places where they can run freely.
If an Afghan Hound is well socialized, then it can get along with the other dogs in the family, but may not be suitable for homes with small pets due to their high prey drive.
In addition, they need owners who are willing to groom the dog daily, give it ample exercise, and use positive and patient training techniques.
Notable Facts or Fun Facts
The Afghan Hound is a dog of peculiar history and fame in the domains of arts and crafts.
The story goes that Noah chose the Afghan Hound when selecting animals to save during the flood.
The dog is considered the oldest one from today’s dog breeds group, and it is claimed that the breed might have history of more than 4,000 years with references in Egyptian papyri and cave paintings in Northern Afghanistan.
The very first dog that was cloned has been an Afghan Hound whose name was Snuppy and it was a project that was carried out in South Korea in 2005.
These unearthly creatures of the dog world are presented by old times’ folklore to be in possession of individuals such as Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan.
The breed gained modern popularity after Mattel introduced Barbie’s pet Afghan Hound named Beauty in 1981.
Afghan Hounds have been champion of Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on two occasions, 1957 and 1983, thus their records in the dog show world are undeniable.