Afghan Hound

Breed: Afghan Hound | Size: Large | Average lifespan: 12+ years | Character: Gentle, sensitive, and brave | Coat: Long | Origin: Afghanistan.

Known for its elegance, the Afghan Hound is a distinguished, affectionate, and calm dog breed. These dogs also get very attached to their owners. Afghan Hounds have a silky and long coat as well as a noble and agile appearance that leaves people in awe.

The origins of the Afghan Hound

A hunting dog that’s been around for thousands of years

To begin with, the Afghan Hound (or Tazi) is a very old sighthound breed that originated in Sinai. This breed was cited several times in Egyptians papyruses that date back over 3,000 years ago. There are depictions of the Afghan Hound in Afghan caverns. It is believed that the Afghan Hound was the only dog on board Noah’s Ark.

The breed was first bred by the nomads of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Northern India thousands of years ago. Originally, the breed was used to hunt and herd cattle. According to legend, one of the Afghan Hound’s prey was the leopard. Even though many contemporary specialists express doubts about this, we are sure that the Afghan Hound was used to hunt wild game in the mountains, which had a huge influence on the breed.

A pure breed

As the Afghan Hound was a pure breed, it was not allowed to import the Afghan Hound for centuries. However, during the 1880s, the British soldiers that returned home from war brought these dogs with them to Europe. The Afghan Greyhound was honored in 1907 at a dog show in London’s Crystal Palace. Later, the breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1926. The AKC established a standard and then created a pedigree book based on Zardin, an Afghan Hound adopted by Queen Alexandra.

In 1930, this dog breed appeared in France. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that it became popular when it was presented as the official dog of the Barbie doll. In France, it is forbidden to use them for hunting on French territory. It has become a show dog, especially prized by breeders who attach great importance to its grooming for competitions. On December 12, 1961, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) granted definitive recognition to the Afghan Hound breed.

The character of this noble dog breed

The Afghan Hound has a colorful personality. If you are looking for a calm and gentle breed, it is best to search for a different breed.

The qualities of the Afghan Hound

Gentle, sensitive, brave, and intelligent—this dog is often very attached to its family. They do not bark very often or even at all, which can be an advantage if you like the calm. However, they are very vigilant when it comes to their family and their territory.

Furthermore, this dog breed is loyal to their owners. While they are not very demonstrative with their affection, they appreciate the company of their social group. These dogs are very calm, settled down, smart, cunning and have a good memory.

Are there any downsides to having Afghan Hound?

To begin with, Afghan Hounds are independent dogs. They are also stubborn and do not like receiving orders. Once they are left free, it is difficult to call them back, especially if they have found prey on a hunt. You need to be athletic to share your daily life with this dog breed. In addition to going out for runs, they need to have a big yard, preferably closed off, in which they can get some exercise freely.

In addition, as Afghan Hounds are demanding animals, they are not really suitable for people who are not used to having a dog. Their training is reserved for owners who already have experience training dogs. From a young age, you need to instill in them good manners to be able to manage them. It’s common for these dogs to fear strangers and can become wild if they were not well-socialized. They can also be a bit distant, haughty—even hostile—towards dogs or humans that they do not know.

This Letsgetpet article might interest you: How do I socialize my puppy?

The physical characteristics of the Afghan Hound

General

To begin with, the Afghan Hound is a large dog breed. Males can reach a up to 74 cm at the withers, and females can reach around 69 cm. They can weigh up to 30 kg (≈ 66.1 lb).

Head

The Afghan Hound has a long head, which slightly narrow and proportionate. In addition, they have a rather light stop and a black or brown nose. Its snout is fairly long and its strong jaws are articulated like scissors, sometimes like pliers.

This dog breed has ears that are flat against the head and quite low. They are covered with long and soft hair. The eyes of the Afghan Hound are dark, even goldish. They are a bit of a triangular form have a penetrating look.

Body

This dog has a lot of nobleness and is slender. They have a strong neck, and a muscular back that is long and straight. Their loins are short and large, and their hips well split apart and the croup slightly drooping towards the base of the tail. Their ribs are curved and their chest descends perfectly.

Coat, color, and grooming

Coat

This noble dog stands out for its long coat, which is silky and fine. However, the hair on their face is short.

Color

The coat of this dog can be blue, red, white, silver, or black. However, the most common colors are red and shades of beige for the majority, with a dark mask (black, black brindle, domino brindle, domino).

Grooming and caring for an Afghan Hound

While molting is moderate in this breed, the Afghan Hounds needs a lot of grooming and care. On average, you need about an hour to take care of their coat, and this should be around twice a week. Brushing the coat strand by strand to avoid the coat getting tangled and being careful to not break the hair.

Even if this dog does not have a bad smell, you need to give them frequent baths with shampoo that does not dry out their delicate skin. Do not adopt this breed if you do not have enough time to dedicate to their coat. Afghan Hounds are intended for shows and need to be groomed several times a year by a professional.

Also, ensure that their ears are always cleaned. To do this, every week examine them and clean them with a cotton pad with ear cleanser. Brush their teeth regularly to avoid the proliferation of bacteria and the accumulation of tartar. If they have claws that do not wear down naturally, trim them regularly. Do not hesitate to ask for advice from a groomer or vet if you have any doubts or questions.

Did you know?

To begin with, in Chicago, a sculpture made by Pablo Picasso in the likeness of his Afghan Hound, Kabul, can be found in Daley Plaza.

In addition, in 1962, Picasso painted a painting called The Woman With A Dog, which featured an Afghan Hound. This piece of artwork was sold for more than 10 million dollars in 2012.

The Afghan Hound was the first dog to be cloned in 2005, called Snuppy.