Other names:
Tazhi Spay, Baluchi Hound, Ogar Afgan, Barakzai Hound, Eastern Greyhound, Persian Greyhound
One of the oldest pure breeds of dogs, the ancient Afghan Hound has remained unchanged in its appearance for centuries. It has a very long and fine silky coat and was bred to hunt large and small game in the mountains of Afghanistan without human leadership. It was introduced into the United Kingdom in the 1800s.
Key facts about the Afghan Hound
Life expectancy :
Between 12 and 14 years
Temperament :
Intelligent, Hunter
Size :
Large
Type of coat :
Long
Price :
Between £515 and £940
FCI Group
FCI Group
Group 10 - Sighthounds
Section
Section 1 : Long-haired or fringed Sighthounds
Physical characteristics of the Afghan Hound
Adult size
Female dog
Between 25 and 27 in
Male dog
Between 27 and 29 in
Weight
Female dog
Between 55 and 66 lb
Male dog
Between 55 and 66 lb
Coat colour
The coat of the Afghan can be of any colour including fawn, gold and blue. It may also be brindled. Many dogs of the breed have a black facial ‘mask’: the dark colour of the fur on their muzzle and head gives the impression of a mask.
Type of coat
The hair is long.
The Afghan’s single coat is fine and silky and similar to human hair. The dog is covered in abundant fur and usually has a silky topknot on its head.
Eye colour
Dark brown, sometimes golden.
Description
A dog with a regal appearance is the Afghan. Its head is held high and proud and its body is agile and built for speed. The tail is carried low but raised when the dog is moving. The limbs are graceful, sloped and reasonably muscular. The ears are low and hang close to the head.
Temperament
Affectionate
The Afghan Hound isn't an affectionate dog because of its hunting heritage, he does not have an overly aggressive tilt but does have a high prey-drive. It is boisterous and clownish but also sensitive and easily offended by harshness.
Playful
A dog that likes to play and to interact, but will do so only on its terms and when it feels confident enough to do so. The Afghan Hound tends to become nervous and timid when met with rough play.
Calm
This dog can exhibit some nervousness especially around strangers; it is also one that does not take kindly to changes in routine. Nervousness often manifests as stubbornness and a refusal to move or to do what it is told.
Intelligent
A fairly intelligent dog but not known as one of the brainiest of canines. The Afghan is hard to train and lately was positioned last of 138 dogs ranked by obedience and ability to understand commands. The dog requires patience and repetitive training (see later: ‘Easy to train’.
Hunter
Hunting was the reason the Afghan Hound was originally bred; this it would do by sight. Sighthounds are dogs that hunt independently (i.e. with no human leadership). They specialize in sighting and pursuing prey, and overpowering it. The Afghan has a high prey drive and as such will chase almost anything smaller than it. Regular and plentiful exercise is a must for preventing this dog from causing a nuisance.
Fearful / wary of strangers
Afghan Hounds tend to be wary and shy of new people and take some time to warm to a visitor in their home. If pushed to interact with someone too early the Afghan may become mildly aggressive. Gentle handling and patience are necessary precursors to a calm Afghan temperament.
Independent
Afghan Hounds are extremely independent. With some effort they can become obedient but on the whole they are very much their own dog.
Behaviour of the Afghan Hound
Tolerates solitude
The Afghan Hound tends to follow its owner from room to room when indoors. It is not a dog that tolerates solitude. Separation anxiety is seen of Afghans that are left alone for long periods of time. Not only do they miss their family but the lack of exercise that comes with being left alone will bring on depression.
Easy to train / obedience
The Afghan Hound is reasonably difficult to train. Its independence and aloofness can mean that it refuses to learn to be obedient. Couple this refusal with the dog’s inability to learn quickly and retain lessons and you have a difficult student to say the least. The Afghan is not overly motivated by food and treats which can make training especially taxing. Patience and an awareness of the dog’s limitations can lead to a degree of obedience, although nothing should be taken for granted.
Barking
This dog doesn't bark to excess and will soon settle again once a perceived ‘danger’ has passed.
Tendency to run away
It is not advisable to let an Afghan loose except if you are confident of there being no other dogs or small animals in the vicinity, and the area of land on which you stand is securely fenced. The Afghan drive to catch and kill is never too far from the surface and once the dog begins to run there is no possibility of your catching up with it. The hunting instinct is difficult to dampen of this dog.
Destructive
If it finds itself at home for long periods of time without human company the Afghan Hound will inform you of its displeasure by destroying your furnishings and carpets, and with a big dog comes big damage.
Greedy / Gluttony
The Afghan is not known as a glutton. Its stomach is sensitive to changes in diet and it will not enjoy impromptu dinners at differing times each day. It is a picky dog and one that will let you know if it does not like what you have served.
Guard dog
Due to its lack of bark the Afghan does not make a good watchdog. As a guard dog it could very well be exceptionally aggressive, especially if it sense that its family is under threat.
First dog
The Afghan is not to be considered as a first dog. Its stubbornness and aloofness can make the owner’s teaching of even the basics (such as house training) challenging. It requires a patient teacher and one who understands the breed’s foibles to bring up a happy Afghan Hound.
Lifestyle
Afghan Hound in a flat
Even a well-fenced garden is an insufficient provision for this dog. Afghans are known for their magnificent leaping abilities. A flat is too small and confined a space in which to keep what is a highly-strung animal.
Need for exercise / Sporty
The Afghan Hound does not need as much exercise as you might think but it does need exercise. Running and walking for about 60 minutes every day can dampen some of the excitability of the Afghan.
Travelling / easy to transport
An Afghan will not enjoy travel. Anything that disrupts its routine and carefully planned day will cause the dog to be nervous and silly. When it becomes so, the Afghan is difficult to control.
Compatibility
Afghan Hound and cats
Even of Afghan Hounds that have been raised amid cats and other smaller creatures there is a danger that the dog’s hunting heritage may displace its reasoning and goodwill. It is therefore not advisable to house this breed with another animal.
Afghan Hound and dogs
Generally speaking, the Afghan is amicable and sociable with other dogs.
Afghan Hound and children
On the whole this breed is good with children; that is to say the dog does not harm children deliberately or bare malice towards them. However, Afghans can become easily scared by rough play or play that is not on their terms. If pushed too far the dog may exhibit aggression.
Afghan Hound and the elderly
Because it is a dog that requires a fair amount exercise and a lot of grooming the Afghan Hound is not a good choice for people of senior years.
Price
The price for an Afghan Hound can vary according to his age, gender and origins. But you could count on average £940 for a dog registered with the KC.
The average monthly budget ranges from £150 and £175 in order to fully meet the needs of the Afghan Hound.
Grooming
Daily brushing is required to prevent the Afghan’s hair (which is similar in texture to human hair) from becoming tangled and matted. Several times a year the dog should be professionally clipped. The dog should also be bathed regularly. An ear inspection every week is essential for this long-eared dog: mites, fleas and fungi find the Afghan’s ear very inviting.
Shedding
Afghans do not shed their hair as much as other breeds.
Nutrition of the Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound does not have a large appetite. Of a dog this size it eats less than you might think. However, it should still be fed two meals a day and these meals should be of high-quality dog meat and kibble formulated for the breed.
Health of the Afghan Hound
Life expectancy
12 to 14 years.
Strong / robust
The Afghan Hound is an active and adventurous dog but it is not a robust breed.
Withstand heat
The coat of the Afghan Hound allows the dog to be more tolerant of hot temperatures than most. You must still make sure there is plenty of fresh water on hand for this dog. Do not leave ANY dog in a car in the summer, even if you have parked in the shade.
Withstand cold
The Afghan Hound is also reasonably tolerant of the cold. Care should be taken after cold and wet walks to dry the dog’s coat thoroughly.
Tendency to put on weight
Weight gain is not usually a feature of the Afghan. However, if an Afghan is not exercised as regularly as it should be and is fed too much human or substandard food it will become obese.
Common illnesses
Allergies
Bloat
Cancer
Cataracts
Chylothorax
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Hip Dysplasia
Good to know
The Afghan Hound gets stressed and agitated very easily. When it becomes so the dog may refuse to move from where it is (even if it is in the middle of a road); it may also urinate indoors or fall asleep very suddenly.
Origins and history
The Afghan originated in Afghanistan several centuries (some say millennia) ago. It is an ancient pure dog breed that has remained relatively unchanged in that time. During the 1800s Afghan Hounds were brought to the United Kingdom by army officers who returned from active service in what was then British India (including the countries of Afghanistan and Persia). The Afghan used to be called the Persian Hound.
Names
Good names for an Afghan Hound: Dove, Fern, Leo, Polly