Description

The Afghan Hound is an elegant breed. This breed has been around for centuries and has often been associated with a regal personality. They have a very think body with a heavy coat and are very agile and quick.

The Afghan Hound carries their head rather high from their long, thin body. They have a muzzle that slightly curves, which is called a Roman nose. The eyes of an Afghan Hound are dark and somewhat triangularly shaped and well set. They have long ears that can reach to the end of the muzzle. The Afghan Hound’s neck is gracefully long and arched. The breed has a straight back with well defined hips and close legs with thick padded feet.

The Afghan Hound has a flowing, long coat with a topknot. The coat can be almost any color or combination of colors. The tail is thin, long and straight. When the dog moves it has an elegant manner that is smooth and calculated.

Coat Description

The Afghan Hound is well noticed by its coat. The coat is beautiful. It is silky to the touch and looks long and flowing. It is smooth around the body and may feather at the legs, chest and neck. The head features a topknot that parts and falls to the sides.

History

The Afghan Hound is a rather old breed. It originated in Egypt with records indicating its appearance over 4000 years ago. They were used as hunting dogs to chase prey. Since they are very good at agility running, making turns quickly without stopping, it was used in harsh terrain. The Afghan Hound moved with the people of the area to the area around Afghanistan where they were also used to hunt. The coat is thought to have been developed to allow them to live in mountain climates where they would need it to stay protected and warm. By the 1900s they were being exported to places like England where they were used for hunting, herding, racing and show.

Temperament

The Afghan Hound may appear aloof and very demanding, but looks can be deceiving. This breed is actually very friendly and affectionate. They love to play and bond deeply with their family, usually choosing one person to bond with the most and consider their master whom they will obey. They have been compared in personality and action to a cat. They are finicky sometimes and not easily pushed into anything. This behavior is usually more prominent in males.

The Afghan Hound usually does best outside if there are children in the home. They do not do well with loud noises and are easily startled. While they are patient with children and do a good job interacting with them, they are best around older children who are not as jumpy and excitable. Other than not being good around small children, they do fine inside.

The Afghan Hound can have many different personality traits which will differ from dog to dog. Some may be shy. Some may be high strung. Most are not too playful once they reach adulthood, but others may continue with goofy behavior well into adulthood. Training can really help to shape flaws in the personality and make the dog more well rounded. This breed can sometimes be independent. They may run off or simply ignore any attempt to coral them. Again, good training can help curb this behavior.

Health Problems

The Afghan Hound will often suffer from problem with their heart and eyes. They may have problems like necrotic myelopatchy and cataracts. The Afghan Hound may also have problems with tail injuries. Any ailment with this breed is going to require attention because this dog does not handle any pain, no matter how small, very well.

Other conditions you may watch out for that has been seen regularly in this breed are ear problem, allergies and hip dysplasia. They may also have adverse reactions to medications and can be sensitive to anesthesia.

Grooming

The Afghan Hound needs daily grooming to keep its coat looking long and flowing. Good daily brushing should be done to keep the coat tangle free. It can take several hours per week to keep this dog looking good. The coat does not need trimming or cutting.

The Afghan Hound can be bathed once a week, but it is not necessary unless the dog is being used for show or simply needs a bath. Usually misting the coat with a detangler and sticking to regular brushing will keep the dog fairly clean without the need for a bath. Dry shampoo is not recommended for this breed.

Exercise

The Afghan Hound needs about 60 minutes of exercise per day. It should be broken into two exercise sessions. They need to be allowed to run freely. They do well as a running or jogging companion. When they are out they need to be on a leash or kept well fenced in. One hour is the minimum this dog needs per day, ideally two hours is best, which is why the do not always do well in an apartment situation.

The Afghan Hound can be playful and will like to play games. They do not naturally come into playing fetch, but can be taught. They will sometimes appear awkward on their feet which are due to growth spurts. During these times the dog needs good exercise, but it should be watched so as not to overdo it.

Training

The Afghan Hound is smart, but can be independent. This means training needs to be done with patience if it is to be successful. This breed need consistency and firm, but gentle handling. They do not react to harsh treatment. It can be bored easily, so change is needed to keep this breed interested in training methods.

The Afghan Hound can be difficult to house train and crate training is not going to work due to the size of the breed, so it must be done with time and care. It can be frustrating but this should never be communicated as bitterness towards the dog or it will respond negatively.