[2024] Afghan Hound Dog Breed (Complete Guide)

Afghan Hound Dog Overview

Afghan is constructed following greyhound lines, allowing it to do a double-suspension gallop and run-down fleet games.

The Afghan’s short back and steep pelvis allowed him to leap great heights and turn almost in place, both of which were necessary for racing in rocky mountainous terrain.

On rough ground, the large feet provided a better foothold and were more resistant to injury.

The dog’s silky coat kept him warm on cold nights at high altitudes. With an exotic expression and proud carriage, the Afghan appears dignified and aloof.

The dog’s gait is full of elasticity and spring, and he moves with his head and tail held high.

Afghan Hound Highlights

The Afghan Hound epitomizes elegance.

This one-of-a-kind ancient dog breed has an unmistakable appearance: a dramatic silky coat, an unusual face, and a slim, fashion-model physique.

The Afghan is thought to be one of the oldest dog breeds, dating back to the pre-Christian era.

Despite being purebred dogs, Afghan Hounds may be found in shelters or under the care of rescue organizations.

These dogs are affectionate and adaptable, and they do well in almost any size home with any size family.

Afghan Hound Breed Features & Ratings:

Rated base on a 5 Star Scale
ENERGY LEVEL: 2 Star
EXERCISE REQUIREMENTS: 3 Star
PLAYFULNESS: 3 Star
AFFECTION LEVEL: 1 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO DOGS: 3 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO OTHER PETS: 3 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO STRANGERS: 1 Star
WATCHFULNESS: 1 Star
EASE OF TRAINING: 2 Star
GROOMING REQUIREMENTS: 4 Star
HEAT SENSITIVITY: 3 Star
VOCALITY 3 Star

Afghan Hound Profile

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Dog Breed Group: Hound Dogs
Weight: 50 to 60 pounds
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Height: At the shoulder, it should be between 24 and 26 inches tall.
Type: Purebred
AREA OF ORIGIN: Afghanistan
DATE OF ORIGIN: Ancient Time
OTHER NAMES: Baluchi Hound
Temperament: Clownish, Happy, Dignified, Independent
Activities : Agility, Conformation, Lure Coursing, Racing
Color: Black, Black and Silver, Black and Tan, Blue, Blue and Cream, Red, Silver, and White.
Litter Size: 6-8 puppies
Puppy Prices: Average $2500 – $3500 USD

Afghan Hound Health

Sighthounds, such as Afghans, possess naturally low levels of body fat, making them susceptible to anesthesia; for surgical operations, breed advocates urge consulting with a sighthound-savvy veterinarian.

Afghan Hounds, like many deep-chested breeds, are susceptible to bloat, a sudden and potentially fatal swelling of the abdomen, and owners should educate themselves on the symptoms and what to do if bloat happens.

The National Breed Club recommends the following health tests:

Hip Evaluation
Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Thyroid Evaluation

Afghan Hound Grooming

Afghan puppies have short, fluffy coats that require little upkeep (including lovely face hair known as “monkey whiskers”). They don’t, however, stay that way for long.

An adolescent or adult Afghan hound’s long, silky coat, as expected, demands regular maintenance.

Brushing the hair many hours per week is required to keep it free of tangles and mats and to eliminate any dirt.

The key to keeping the Afghan’s splendid coat looking its best is to keep the hair clean and mat-free.

Bathing on a constant schedule with shampoo and conditioner is also required.

Afghans, like all breeds, should have their nails trimmed and their teeth brushed on a regular basis.

Afghan Hound Exercise

Afghan Hound Training Afghans are sighthounds, having been bred to chase and pursue animals by sight, and will have a greater inclination to sprint away in pursuit of perceived prey; strolling on leash is not suggested.

Short walks are insufficient for this active breed, so as they grow older, some owners take their leashed Afghans on long runs.

An Afghan should ideally be able to run at full speed several times each week in a large, enclosed space.

Afghans are tall, slim, and muscular, making them exceptional jumpers, therefore their training area must be surrounded by a high, secure fence.

Afghan Hound Training

Afghans are generally independent, haughty, and distant, but they are loving and exceedingly devoted to humans with whom they have formed relationships.

Because of this loyalty, it can be difficult for an adult Afghan to transition to a new family.

On the other hand, because they desire to please their owners, they can be rather easy to housetrain.

Unless you want to compete in obedience or agility, teaching simple commands like come, sit, and stay is usually enough.

Owners of Afghan Hounds are keen to point out that no amount of training will ever be able to override the breed’s hunting instinct to break out on a high-speed chase.

Afghan Hound Food and Nutrition

The Afghan Hound should thrive on high-quality dog food, whether acquired commercially or cooked at home with your vet’s supervision and authorization.

Any diet for the dog should be age-appropriate (puppy, adult, or senior).

Afghan Hounds have naturally slender physiques as sight hounds, and their projecting hip bones represent a unique breed trait, not a symptom of underweight.

Having said that, Afghan Hounds are athletic, active dogs, so make sure he’s getting enough excellent nutrition to satisfy his demands.

Learn which human foods are appropriate for dogs and which are not. Consult your vet if you are contemplating any concerns regarding your dog’s weight or diet.

Fresh drinking water should indeed be supplied at all times.

Afghan Hound Temparament

Despite its dazzling reputation, the Afghan Hound’s heart is in pursuing game through difficult terrain.

While these canines keep their royal bearings on the inside, Afghans need a chance to stretch their legs in a safe place on a daily basis.

They may be reluctant to respond when called at times. Outside, they will chase tiny creatures, but inside, they will coexist happily.

Though they can be nice with children, Afghans are not usually lively and involved with them.

This breed, which some describe as “catlike,” is autonomous yet sensitive, and not overly demonstrative.

They are guarded among strangers, and some of them can be frightened. They have a lighthearted, clownish aspect.

The Afghan Hound is a dog within one person or one family.

Do not expect this hound to joyfully greet your visitors. He will most likely offend them by being careless about their existence.

Although some dogs may bark once or twice if an intruder walks through the door, this breed is not known for being an excellent watchdog.

Afghan Hound Training

Training is tough due to the Afghans’ autonomous thinking. This hound is not often motivated by food and lacks the same strong desire to please as many of the other varieties (Golden Retriever, for example).

Although this Afghan puts on a stunning performance in the ring, more than one competent handler has been shamed in the ring owing to the dog’s refusal to comply.

Nonetheless, this breed is noted for excelling other breeds when he makes the option to do so.

Rough treatment may cause this dog to withdraw or become moderately aggressive.

Gentle handling, gentleness, and patience work best with this breed, as does an awareness that the dog will not always cooperate.

Afghan Hound Care/Upkeep

The Afghan need regular exercise, either in the form of a lengthy walk followed by a short sprint, or, ideally, the opportunity to run full speed in a safe enclosed location.

This dog would make an excellent family member and requires a nice bed as well as outside access.

Afghans are slender and bony by nature.

The coat demands some dedication, especially when the puppy coat is shedding; most adult coats require brushing or combing every two to three days. Weekly bathing aids in the prevention of matting.

Afghan Hounds prefer to spend their time indoors with their families.

They’re laid back and peaceful in the house, but they’re naturally active dogs who require daily activity, which should include a leash walk or run, as well as a free run in a gated area.

If you intend to keep your dog in a yard, you must have high, secure fencing.

The Afghan is a skilled escape artist who, once free, is extremely difficult to apprehend. (Keep in mind that he can outrun horses!)

Consistent obedience training is required, and positive reinforcement approaches are the most effective.

Afghan Hound Relationship with Children and Other Pets

The Afghan is best suited as an adult companion because of his independence and huge stature.

The Afghan is unlikely to want to follow you around and play with your kids. In fact, the Afghan can be startled by a child’s fast movements and degree of noise.

However, with proper socialization, the Afghan may adjust to living in a family with children and be loving and caring for them.

The Afghan prefers the companionship of his own kind—other Afghan Hounds.

The Afghan will tolerate, if not dislike, other pets in the home. Unsurprisingly, the Afghan’s hunting instinct drives him to pursue tiny creatures, especially if they flee.

Afghan Hound Names

Rank	Girl Names	Boy Names
1.	Max	Bella
2.	Charlie	Lucy
3.	Buddy	Daisy
4.	Cooper	Molly
5.	Jack	Lola
6.	Rocky	Sadie
7.	Toby	Maggie
8.	Duke	Sophie
9.	Bear	Chloe
10.	Tucker	Bailey

All About Afghan Hound

Aside from his independence and apathy, the Afghan Hound can be incredibly tender and entertaining when he wants to be.

The Afghan Hound, lovingly nicknamed as a “clown” by his family, is known to be mischievous, with legends abounding of this breed’s proclivity to steal stuff from under the noses of loved ones, even opening dresser cabinets and grabbing clothes.

Because of his ability to perceive significantly greater distances than humans and pivotal hip joints that allow him to cover ground quickly and smoothly past obstacles, the Afghan is a natural for lure coursing.

In lure coursing, the hounds chase plastic bags that are designed to simulate escaping game.

This competition assesses the dog’s ability to hunt by sight as well as its basic coursing instinct.

The American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) founded and continues to run a popular program for both owners and dogs.

Afghan Hound History

The Afghan Hound is an old breed descended from the group of Middle Eastern sighthounds, with roots extending back to the Egyptian pharaohs.

Despite such legendary origins, the Afghan Hound evolved mostly as a result of nomadic tribes’ usage of them as coursing dogs capable of providing small animal meat for the pot.

The dogs frequently hunted with the assistance of falcons that had been trained to swoop down on the quarry.

Generations of hunting in Afghanistan’s rugged mountainous terrain generated a swift dog with plenty of stamina, but most importantly, exceptional leaping ability and nimbleness.

The Afghan’s large coat protected him from the cold weather. For generations, these dogs were secluded in the formidable Afghanistan Mountains.

The first Afghan Hounds arrived in England in the early 1900s, when they were known as Persian Greyhounds or Barukhzy Hounds.

They were a diverse bunch, therefore a standard of perfection was devised, based on Zardin, a very remarkable dog, that described the more graceful, racy dog of today.

The dog’s popularity rose gradually, with the dog mostly appealing to the glamour set.

The Afghan swiftly gained popularity in the show ring, rapidly becoming one of the most athletic and attractive dogs in the ring.

The Afghan became a popular fad breed in the 1970s, but its popularity has since decreased.

Where to Adopt or Buy an Afghan Hounds

Do you think the Afghan hound is the right dog for you? Make sure to conduct your study to get a whole picture of what life is like with an Afghan hound.

You can learn more about Afghan hounds by contacting reputable Afghan hound breeders or Afghan hound rescue organizations, such as:

The Afghan Hound Club of America is a non-profit organization that promotes the welfare
Afghan breeder listing (U.S.)
National rescue organization in Afghanistan (U.S.)

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

Afghans are wonderful dogs, however you should conduct some research on related breeds to be sure. Breeds that share many features include:

Afghan Hounds Fun Facts

They are one of the most ancient dogs.
They Were used to hunt.
They are fast racehorses.
It’s all in the hips.
Their silky coat does more than look stylish.
Be gentle with them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Are Afghan Hounds hypoallergenic?

Yes! Low dander, surprisingly little shedding, and not too drooly—it’s a fantastic hypoallergenic dog!

Is Afghan Hound dangerous?

Afghan Hounds are not noted for their ferocity. They have a laid-back personality but prefer their own space, so it’s better to leave them alone when they clearly need some alone time.