Afghan Hound is a medium-large and thin breed of dog with a long, silky coat that is prized for its show-worthy features. Afghan Hounds have been prized for their graceful elegance since ancient times.
They are one of the world’s oldest dog breeds, though they can now be found in a number of rescue shelters all over the world. They’ve been compared to racehorses in terms of speed. Afghan Hounds have scent glands that emit a musky, but not offensive, odor.
Afghan hounds are noted for their independence and self-confidence, as well as their gentle, mostly calm, and amusing disposition when they are among humans they are familiar with.
Contents Overview
History of Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound has been identified as a base breed that predates the 19th-century advent of contemporary breeds.
It has the most resemblance to the Saluki. The first Afghans arrived in the United Kingdom in the 1920s, and their beautiful beauty quickly made them popular.
The Afghan hound’s appearance predates written history, therefore it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when it originally appeared, and one of the first published descriptions of the breed appeared in a picture by English soldier Thomas Duer Broughton while he was in India in 1809.
They’ve been used as hunting companions for humans for ages, and they’re known for their speed, quick and independent thinking, and panoramic vision, which are all characteristics of sight hounds.
Afghan Hound personality
Typically, the Afghan Hound is a one-person or one-family dog. This hound will not excitedly greet your visitors. He’ll probably upset them by being unconcerned about their presence.
While some hounds may bark once or twice when a stranger enters the house, this breed is not known for being an excellent watchdog.
They are strong-willed and independent individual who is aloof and self-assured. The Afghan dog has been described as fiercely brave but maybe timid, flighty but occasionally quiet and lethargic, stately but clownish, and dignified but clownish.
The Afghan temperament can range from loving to aloof, and these dogs might be apprehensive of strangers. Afghans are prone to become feral if they are not properly socialized.
Afghan Hound Temperament
Because it was bred to be a hunting dog, the Afghan Hound is a very clever creature. They were bred to hunt and solve problems on their own, without the help of humans.
As a result, the modern Afghan Hound is a tenacious and self-reliant beast. They also have a strong will and an aloof demeanor.
The Afghan is also a fairly quiet dog that does not bark very much. Despite their independence, they are highly loyal dogs with a kind and loving disposition. They like playing and can spend hours interacting with their loved ones.
You may also check: Afghan hound briard mix
Size and appearance of Afghan Hound
How big is a Afghan?
The Afghan is best suited as an adult companion because of his independent temperament and large size. These dogs have a thin but athletic body, with long and gorgeous hair.
Afghan hound females are typically 25 inches tall, while males are somewhat taller at 27 inches. In the meanwhile, both female and male varieties weigh between 50 and 60 pounds.
Appearance of Afghan Hound
Because of its high carriage and long, silky coat, the Afghan has a regal aspect. The breed’s characteristic feature includes a strong, arched neck, big hips, enormous paws, an apparently exaggerated bend at the knees, and a tail that ends in a doughnut bend.
The head and muzzle of an Afghan hound are long, slender, and refined, with a slightly convex muzzle bend. The ears are long, with much longer hair covering them. Black, black-and-tan, red, cream, blue, brindle, domino, or white are the most popular coat colors.
The Afghan hound comes in a variety of colors, with creams and reds having black masks more often than not. Because of its elastic, muscular stride, smooth pace, and sweeping locks, the Afghan hound makes a remarkable impression when in motion.
Afghan Hound Health & problems
Afghans are prone to certain health issues; this does not indicate that all dogs of the breed will develop them. The health problems of these dogs have been determined by their breeding, which may be verified using a pedigree database.
Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, juvenile cataracts, thyroid disorders, laryngeal paralysis, and Von Willebrand disease are all prevalent health problems in this dog breed.
The Afghan hound’s attractive appearance can be deceiving, as the breed has a number of health issues that require regular veterinary care to prevent and treat.
Afghan Lifespan
Afghan Hounds have an average lifespan of about 12 years, which is comparable to other breeds of their size, according to numerous researches undertaken in the United Kingdom. The average lifetime of those who died of old age was 12 years, with 12% living to be at least 14.
How To Take Care of Afghan Hound
Exercise requirements
Afghan Hounds require a lot of physical activity. An adult Afghan Hound requires moderate activity (1-2 hours), as well as the ability to run freely.
They adore taking lengthy walks and sprinting. Allowing Afghans to run free in a fenced or contained area is a terrific method to exercise them.
Hiking and swimming are two activities that this breed enjoys. Once or twice a week, the Afghan should be given the opportunity to run off-leash in an enclosed environment.
They’d require a lot of room to run around in. Physical activity has been shown to have a positive impact on these dogs’ behavior, allowing them to preserve their good manners.
A Visit to the Vet
It is an important and valuable way to taking care of your Afghan Hound Dog. Like all dog breeds, This breed needs to go to the vet once per year for a checkup.
Generally, a complete physical examination of a particular dog is needed at least once a year. It involves getting your dog’s temperature, checking heart, lungs, weighing, stomach, eyes, teeth, ears, skin, and coat.
Vaccinating your pet has long been regarded as one of the most straightforward approaches to assist him to live a long, healthy life.
Puppies are typically vaccinated at 8 and 10 weeks; your young Afghan should then be given a booster 12 months after their first vaccination because it’s beneficial to take care of any pets.
Grooming & Bruising
Grooming is an important element of an Afghan’s care because of their lengthy coats. To avoid mats and tangles, its delicate and silky coat must be brushed daily, however, baths are required as needed.
Brush an Afghan hound’s coat several times per week to keep it smooth and minimize shedding.
Although Afghan hounds do not shed much, brushing through their long hair takes some time, so allow for this when grooming them. Regular bathing should be included in these sessions to prevent dandruff and keep their fur shiny.
To avoid uncomfortable knots, brush through the hair while it is still damp, using a grooming spray. These dogs frequently require oil to nourish their coats. Owners should clip their pets’ nails during the same session.
Providing a high-quality dog food
Each dog is individual and, therefore, will need a particular diet. Since the Afghan Hound is inclined to hip and elbow dysplasia, provide him food enriched with fish oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
It is necessary to evade over feeding your dog as it can only exasperate health obstacles such as elbow and hip dysplasia. Your most essential purpose should be to provide your pet companion properly.
The Afghan Hound is a big dog, so going for the best big breed dry dog food may be the correct choice. If, upon all benefits, your dog turned out small, search for one of the greatest dry dog food for small dogs and see if they like it!
Here we list out some of the best good dog food for Afghan.
Best dog food for Afghan Hound 2021
- Orijen Original Formula Dry Dog Food.
- Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Fish.
- Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food.
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free.
- Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food (Small Bites)
Avoid unhealthy and digestive system-damaging foods similar to soy, wheat, and corns.
Remember that some of the smallest breeds have the most refined taste. Even though your Afghan Hound is big, we’re sure your puppy won’t mind taking a bite of these best dry dog food brands for Pugs!
How To Train Afghan
The Afghan hounds’ strong-willed temperament makes them rather stubborn when it comes to training. Although owners may still struggle with training, a firm yet the positive tone is required to convey authority. They aren’t known for being obedient, and they frequently ignore training tricks.
Despite their intelligence, they can be aloof and obstinate when it comes to training. Most Afghan owners find that sticking to the basics of domestic training is sufficient unless they want to train for shows, obedience, or sport.
Keep in mind that, because one of their strongest characteristics is their hunting drive, even the best-trained Afghan hound may refuse to obey commands like “stay” or “come” if they are on the hunt for prey.
Potty Training
It’s a fantastic time when you buy a new puppy in your home, but a new puppy also comes with many challenges. The first and most significant challenge that you may face is that of potty training.
If your dog decides to go with an indoor potty, so placement is essential. Find a space in your home where messes won’t interfere with your life.
Potty training your Afghan puppy can take a lot of time, patience, and attention, but luckily, one tool can make a huge difference: a potty training pad.
Some dog experts recommend that you begin house training your puppy when they are between 12 weeks and 16 weeks old. At that time, they have ample control of their bladder and bowel movements to learn to hold them.
Crate Training
If you’re planning on crate training, your puppy should be placed to bed every night in its crate. However, you may require thinking of the best place for that crate at the beginning.
Correctly done crate training is also a highly effective management technique that dog owners can be a lifesaver.
Using a crate is essential to keep your dog from getting into a riot when you can’t supervise them directly.
Crate training is suitable for hunting dogs because it keeps them comfortable during hunts and on the road.
Socialization
Afghan Hound puppy might produce aggressive behaviors and severe anxiety if you do not enforce the early socialization. In the method of early socialization, you will present the puppy to different objects, people, and areas as advanced as possible.
There are two stages of this process. The first one initiates as early as 2 and 1/2 weeks. From this period of time up to four weeks of age, the buyers will hold the dog in a listed amount of time.
The second stage of socialization begins from four weeks of age to 16 weeks of age. You will let the dog become familiar with neighboring formations and smells.
This training activity aims to form the puppy into a fearless and incredible adult dog. The dog will appear at ease with interacting with people and different dogs, providing to their potential in becoming therapy dogs, service dogs, or herders.
How Much Do Afghans cost?
Adopting Afghan hound costs between $600 and $1,000, though it might be significantly cheaper if it comes from a rescue.
Each subsequent grooming visit costs roughly $65, but the total cost depends on how often you have your pet washed, detangled, and brushed.
You should expect to pay up to $2,500 for a show dog if you’re shopping for one. If you want to breed your dog, keep in mind that breeding rights and papers are usually more expensive.
Afghan Hound Puppies for sale
This lovely cream-colored Afghan hound puppy will make fantastic children’s buddies, and an ideal jogging buddy if the weather is not too hot. He has powerful bones, excellent conformation, and a stunning coat.
Adoption allows welcoming the dogs into our homes from reputable and trustworthy sources. It’s also a terrific chance to support the animals who are waiting for their new parents to take them away and make them a part of their family at these shelters.
If you look hard enough, you can find all kinds of dogs at these adoption sites, including some of the rarest varieties, such as Afghan Hounds.
Afghan Hound breeders
If you can provide an Afghan hound with the kind of attention and exercise it requires, this breed could be ideal for you. However, conduct your study to get a complete picture of what life is like with an Afghan hound.
If you want a puppy, choose the correct breeder and puppy to avoid any bad characteristics. Unfortunately, you can’t always tell if a puppy has an inherited temperament or health issues until he’s older.
Never buy a puppy from an irresponsible breeder, puppy mill, or pet store if you want a healthy dog. Look for a trustworthy breeder that thoroughly vets breeding dogs to ensure that they are free of genetic illnesses that could be passed on to the puppies and that they have good temperaments.
Advantage and disadvantages of Afghan Hound
Pros of Afghans
- Afghan hound is sweet family pet.
- They are a great jogging companion.
- They are social and loving with the member.
- Afghan hound Can be both a dignified aristocrat and a silly clown
- They shed surprisingly little for having such a long coat.
Cons of Afghans
- They can appear very stubborn.
- They need a spacious area to let their energy out.
- Afghan hound may not be best for animals or especially children.
- They are Strong instincts to chase living creatures that run.
- They take more time to groom because of their long, silky hair.
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Ref: Wikipedia