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Afghan Hound History

The Afghan Hound is a very ancient breed , but today's modern purebred breed of Afghan Hound descends from dogs brought in the 1920s to Great Britain, and are a blending of types and varieties of long haired sighthounds from across Afghanistan and the surrounding areas. They had been brought back to England by soldiers that had served in such areas like Afghanistan, Persia & India. Before the moniker of Afghan Hound this breed had been known as Barukuzy Hounds or Persian Hounds.

Afghan Temperament

Afghans are typically aloof and independent, they often tend to ignore their owners commands. They are more like cats in their attitudes, than dogs. They are know to have a "slow" obedience intelligence and can be difficult to train. These dogs are bred to run and will chase anything that moves. It is important that when walking your Afghan Hound, you always keep it on a leash. However, when they are in the home, they are notorious couch potatos!

Afghan Hound Appearance

These dogs usually weigh between 45 to 60 pounds and stand 24 to 29 inches at the withers. They have high hip bones and their slender, whip-like tail ends in a ring. They have very long, silky coats that can be almost any colour.

Afghan Hound Grooming

Afghan Hounds have very long, silky coats that require a lot of attention. To keep these dogs in good condition, brushing 3 to 4 times a week is not uncommon. They also need to be trimmed & the 'saddle' on the back need to be clipped, so frequent trips to the groomer is needed. Afghan hounds shed a lot, so this is not a breed for people that have little time to spend on grooming or cannot tolerate a lot of mess.

Afghan Hound Life Expectancy & Health Problems

The typical lifespan of an Afghan Hound is around 12 years. The most common health problems with these dogs is cancer and allergies. They are sensitive to anesthesia due to their low percentage of body fat. They can also develop a lung condition called Cyclothorax, which must be corrected with surgery.

Famous Afghan Hounds

In 2005 Snuppy,an Afghan Hound, was the first dog to ever be cloned.

Afghan Hound Pros and Cons

This simplified list many help you in deciding if an Afghan Hound will be a good fit for your lifestyle.

Do You Want

• a dog with a beautiful long coat?
• has a tall and slender build?
• is gentle with people?

Do You NOT Want

• a dog that will shed a lot and requires a great deal of grooming?
• a dog that will chase anything that moves quickly?
• that needs a large fenced in yard to run in?
• a dog that can be skittish or nervous around strangers?
• a dog that can be difficult to train?

Useful Afghan Hound Links

Afghan Hound Club of Canada

Afghan Hound Club of America

Afghan Hounds International- Discussion forum, chat, links, show results, calendar, competitions, health matters, judging criteria, and links.