Afghan Hound is an old dog breed with unique beauty. They have silky, long coats and a regal appearance. Bred thousands of years ago for hunting, they still have a high prey drive and a natural desire to chase.
Keep that in mind if you decide to bring an Afghan puppy to your home. They will require lots of patience and maintenance. But, their loyalty and affection toward a person they bond with is unwavering.
- Size
They are tall dogs but they don’t weigh a lot. This was deliberately done over the years of planned breeding to get a fast dog that can run after an animal such as a gazelle. Both male and female Afghan Hounds stand 25 to 27 inches tall (63 to 68 cm) and can weigh from 50 to 60 pounds (22 to 27 kg).
The whole Afghan Hound appearance is dignified and aloof. They’ve got long legs and prominent hip bones. The official AKC description of the Afghan Hound says, “…no trace of plainness or coarseness”. And, that is the truth.
The Afghan Hound does not look ordinary or plain.
- Color
There are 9 coat colors that are considered to be breed-standard cat colors by the AKC. These colors are:
- Black
- White
- Red
- Blue
- Silver
- Cream
- Blue and cream
- Black and tan
- Black and silver
There are also five possible markings:
- Black
- Brindle
- Domino
- Brindle domino
- Brindle black
- Social traits
Afghan Hounds are friendly dogs, but not too much. They have a dose of aloofness and people often say they have a cat-like personality. However, it is well-known that they show great affection and loyalty toward the person they bond with.
Good with other dogs: yes
Good with other animals: no
Good with children: yes – socialization is a must
Afghan Hounds and older children get along great. They love to play with the children. However, we need to be careful with young children, like toddlers. Toddlers will be tempted to pull hair and accidentally provoke any dog. That’s why we need to give dogs some space and teach our children what to do or not do when playing with dogs.
Of course, just like any other dog, Afghan Hounds need socialization from an early age. They need to be taught that children are friends.
Unfortunately, when it comes to other animals, such as cats or rabbits, they do not go great with them. Afghan Hounds have a high prey drive that makes them difficult to live with other small animals.
- Trainability
According to Stanley Coren and his book called The Intelligence of Dogs, the Afghan Hound is in last place out of 79 dog breeds tested. That doesn’t sound good. It sounds as if the Afghans are not very smart dogs.
And, people often say these dogs are not the smartest. However, I have to say that it all comes down to our own expectations. We want every dog to act as a Border Collie. We want every dog to be extremely eager to please and quickly learn everything we ask them to.
We want this from any dog breed, from big livestock dogs such as The Great Pyrenees over Dachshunds to Presa Canario.
We need to understand what the breed was made for. Was it hunting, protecting, or herding? You cannot expect perfect obedience from a hunting dog or a dog bred to protect livestock from wild animals. They were bred to act on their own.
So, are Afghan Hounds trainable? Yes. Do they need more time and patience? Yes. The biggest issue you will come across is off-leash obedience and recall. If they see something they find interesting, they won’t stop until they catch it. That’s why you need to be very careful when it comes to off-leash walks.
- Activity needs
Afghan Hound is a sighthound, which means they were bred to run! This means they will need a good run a few times a week where they can truly stretch their legs. They are also good jumpers, so good fencing is advised.
Afghan Hound is not the most energetic breed, but they need proper exercise every day. The thing is, most don’t want to simply walk. They want to do what they were made to do – run.
So, ideally, you can take your Afghan Hound for a run every day.
Exercise is important for their physical and mental health.
- Feeding
Generally speaking, an adult Afghan Hound needs 2 to 2.5 cups of high-quality kibble food every day. This is best to be divided into two meals – one in the morning and the other one in the evening.
Of course, every dog is unique. Some dogs will need a bit more food and others less. The important thing is to keep our dogs healthy and appropriate weight. If you are not sure how much food your dog needs, the best option is to consult a vet.
You can also ask the breeder you got your puppy from, and ask what food they give their Afghan Hound dogs.
- Grooming
Afghan Hound’s long coat needs regular grooming. The coat is a magnet for twigs, branches, and dirt getting stuck from the outdoors. So, daily grooming with a pin brush or a slicker brush is something you will have to do to keep the coat healthy.
They also require regular baths. Some owners say they give a bath to their Afghan Hounds every two weeks. It all depends on how and where a dog plays. And, don’t forget that they need not just a shampoo but a conditioner too.
You can also take your dog to a professional groomer. However, if you want to save some money, you can learn how to brush the coat on your own at home.
On a good note, the Afghan Hounds do not shed a lot. They are considered hypoallergenic because of this trait.
- Possible health problems
Just like any other deep-chested dog, Afghan Hounds can also suffer from Bloat (GDV). Some other health issues related to the breed are:
- Hypothyroidism
- Panosteitis
- Laryngeal paralysis
- Necrotic myelopathy
- Sensitivity to anesthetics
There are screening programs available in both the USA and the UK, as well as other countries in Europe. These screening programs have the role of identifying hereditary diseases. If a dog tests positive for some of the diseases, they cannot be included in breeding programs.
Summary
The Afghan Hound is a beautiful dog that requires a lot of maintenance to keep the long beautiful coat healthy and beautiful. These dogs also need exercise in the form of running. If possible, a good run a couple of times a week.
They are also aloof and don’t respond to the usual obedience training. Because they are sighthounds, they will always have an innate desire to run after prey. That’s why keeping them off-leash in a crowded area or anywhere where there is no fencing, is not recommended.
Don’t forget they are quite good jumpers, so having a tall yard fence is a must when owning an Afghan Hound.
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