Afghan Hound
Overview
Afghan hounds come from the mountains of Afghanistan. This explains their lush, long and luxurious coat. They are directly related to the Saluki. Those from the mountains tend to have a thick dark coat while those from the desert tend to have a light tan coat. They are sometimes referred to as Persian hounds. They were originally bred for hunting and shepherding. They are swift, agile and have excellent eyesight.
They can reach up to speeds of forty miles per hour.
They are members of a group called sighthounds. The sighthounds include Saluki, greyhounds, whippet, and Borzoi.
They are an ancient dog breed that has managed to retain its breed purity. This is partly due to the fact that they were isolated in the mountains. They were strictly prohibited from export.
Drawings o this breed can be found in the caves of Northern Afghanistan. They were introduced to Britain in the late 1800s and early 1900s by military personnel returning from duty.
Temperament
The Afghan hound is loyal, intelligent and agile. They look aristocratic and maintain an aloof demeanor. If they are kept indoors, they require adequate exercise to prevent them from being destructive.
- They are easily stressed. If they get stressed, they can refuse to move. They possess a hunting instinct and should be kept from other pets and animals.
- They are very cautious and have to be properly socialized.
- They are independent thinkers and aren't fond of pleasing their owners.
- Their threshold for pain is exceptionally low. They often whimper at the slightest pain.
Life Span
They have a lifespan of between 10 and 14 years.
Shedding, grooming, and care
- Their long coats necessitate adequate grooming.
- Their long silky coats must be brushed often to avoid mats and tangles.
- Brushing their coats several times a week helps to reduce the amount of shedding.
- They, in addition, have to be bathed regularly. Their nails should be trimmed often.
- Their ears are prone to infection due to the long hair around them.
- Their ears should be kept clean and regularly checked for infection.
- They should be exercised several times a day. Exercise helps to appease them.
Training
They are troublesome to train. They are often aloof and obstinate when it comes to training.
Diet
Similar to other dogs, Afghan hounds should be fed a diet composed of high-quality protein. They should be fed about two to three cups of dry food every day. Note that, you can supplement the dry food with wet food in part or in entirety.
Health Problems
Afghan hounds are purebred, and they are prone to some specific health problems. These include:
- Demodectic mange
- Allergies
- Juvenile cataracts
- Hip dysplasia
- Autoimmune thyroiditis
Breed Information
| Popularity: | 2018: #93 2017: #93 2016: #113 2015: #100 |
| Origin: | Afghanistan |
| Breed Group: | Sporting (AKC:1926) Sighthound & Pariah (UKC) |
| Size: | Large |
| Type: | Purebred |
| Life span: | 12-14 years |
| Temperament: | Aloof Clownish Dignified Happy Independent |
| Height: | 27-29 inches (69-74 cm) |
| Weight: | 50-64 pounds (22-34 kg) |
| Colors: | Black Black & Silver Black & Tan Blue Blue & Cream Cream Red Silver White |
| Litter Size: | 6-8 puppies |
| Puppy Price: | Average $2000 - $2500 USD |
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Dog names
| Rank | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rocky | Sadie |
| 2 | Milo | Penny |
| 3 | Dexter | Zoe |
| 4 | Ollie | Dixie |
| 5 | Brody | Ella |
| 6 | Rex | Kona |
| 7 | Simba | Phoebe |
| 8 | Apollo | Charlie |
| 9 | Luke | Hazel |
| 10 | Peanut | Trixie |
| 11 | Koda | Cleo |
| 12 | Sparky | Shadow |
| 13 | Copper | Cocoa |
| 14 | Kobe | Grace |
| 15 | Maverick | Sally |