Meet the Afghan Hound

Afghan Hounds are primarily a sight hound, which were bred to chase fast-moving game by sight. Having descended from a group of Middle Eastern sight hounds that were bred and trained to trail rabbit and gazelle, Afghan Hounds often worked with falcons trained to swoop down at game. The Afghan’s stamina and gracefulness continued to grow, as they evolved through generations of hunting dogs in the Afghanistan mountainous terrain.

These beautiful hounds date back to Egyptian times. Their pictures were discovered etched into walls, depicted as working partners and pets. The first Afghan Hound was imported in England in the early 1900s as a standard of perfection–elegant and fancy. Their popularity slowly grew, and was sought after by the more glamorous of people. However, their popularity really skyrocketed in the show ring. Today, the Afghan Hound ranks 90 in the AKC Hound Group, meaning they are not very common. Let’s dig a little deeper into this flashy breed and see if it is right for you.

General Characteristics and Temperament

Male Afghan Hounds stand about 27” tall (measured at the shoulder) and weigh about 60 lbs. Females stand about 25” tall and weigh about 50 lbs, and have a long silky coat. This breed is built for speed given their long legs, large paws, long narrow muzzles, and long and thin tails that curl up at the end. They radiate elegance.

Don’t let their elegant appearance fool you. These dogs were bred for hunting. They require daily activity that allows them to expel their energy and stretch their long legs. You will find these dogs are independent, but sensitive and reserved with strangers. Yet, they still have a fun and goofy side. And boy, they are fast.

Health and Nutrition

Afghan Hounds live about 12 to 14 years, which is a pretty long lifespan for a medium to large-sized dog. With limited major health concerns, it’s important to watch for cataracts and necrotic myelopathy. Partnering with a good breeder who does genetic testing on their dogs is definitely a good idea, as this can prepare you for any health concerns.

Feeding Afghan Hounds a premium, well-balanced diet will aid in longevity. As with all dogs, you should have a veterinarian who does regular checkups and shots and provides you with guidance on your dog’s individual health needs.

RELATED: Homemade Diets for Dogs

Dog Grooming Needs

Your Afghan Hound will require some commitment in the grooming department since they have long silky coats. Most adult coats need thorough brushing every two to three days to keep their coats mat-free, frequent bathing to remove excess oil and conditioning of their fine coat.

And yes, they shed. However, brushing with a pin brush (long and widely spaced teeth) easily removes tangles and dead coat. Pin brushes work wonderfully without putting too much stress on an Afghan’s coat.

Nails and Paws

With the Afghan having such large paws and long fur, you should tend to their paws regularly. You should also keep their nails trimmed to prevent cracking and breaking. While working on their nails, it’s a good idea to make sure the fur on their paws is trimmed as well to prevent slipping on slick surfaces.

Teeth

Afghans have a long muzzle that narrows toward the nose and nice pearly white teeth. You can keep them that way by regularly brushing their teeth. Brushing not only keeps your dog’s teeth pearly white, but it also has a positive effect on their health.

Dog Training and Exercise

Afghans need daily exercise. You can exercise them by either taking them for longs walks with some running at the end or leaving them in a safe fenced location where they can run at full speed. Make sure to keep small animals separated, as they are bred to chase vermin and game. Living quietly indoors is usually not an issue. They can co-exist peacefully with smaller animals in the house.

These dogs are best suited living indoors with outdoor access. They tend to be gentle, moderately playful and pretty calm. As with any dog, Afghan Hounds are easily trainable. You just need to figure out what motivates your Afghan. You might encounter some challenges with the recall cue, as they are usually very focused on what is in their line of sight. You can overcome this quickly by always making it rewarding for your dog to come when called and using the most high-value reward possible when working on this behavior.

Conclusion

While the Afghan Hound is not as common as some of the other breeds I have discussed, they are a marvelous, history-rich and present-day elegance. If the Afghan Hound is a breed you have been considering, I highly suggest checking out some of the additional links below for more information.

Sources:
www.akc.org/dog-breeds/afghan-hound
www.afghanhound.net