Afghan Hound
An independent and a dignified dog breed, Afghan Hounds are typically a one-person or one-family dog. Remember that he is a high spirited dog who won't handle harsh training and is a bit stubborn too.
Average sizes and life expectancy of the breed
60-74 cm
26-34 kg
12-14 years
Afghanistan
pure
hound
Characteristics of the Afghan Hound
Afghan Hound dogs oozes elegance with his lush appearance and long, silky coat, in addition, he is quite independent and his vigilant and courageous profile makes him an excellent defender of territory. Originating in present-day Afghanistan, a region of mountainous lands, the dogs of this breed are easy to move in rough terrain and have considerable hunting instinct, as they were bred to chase game, such as antelopes. He is an excellent hiking companion although a bit difficult to train, as he is not much into obedience. As it takes a lot of work to maintain the beauty of its coat, as well as requiring open fields to run and exercise, the Afghan Hound is not recommended for beginners.
Coat
Afghan Hounds have a long and voluminous coat, which covers almost the entire body. A expected, their grooming requirements are high due to their magnificent hair. Afghan Hounds have a hair texture which is similar to us humans and is thick as well as silky. Except their back, their entire body is covered with hair, even their hairs and feet. The coat colour of Afghan Hounds can be of any colour which includes tan and black. In order to maintain beauty and silkiness of their coat, labourious attention should be given to their coat. Prone to forming knots, the hair needs to be combed frequently and any tangles must be cut. Owners must know that careful combing also helps to keep the coat from breaking. Baths should be given to them every two months, with the use of a good canine shampoo. Lastly, if you think you are having it tough to groom them, it is best to seek the help of a professional groomer. This is important since Afghan Hound is among those dogs having the maximum amount of hair.
Pet Profile
Best Foods For Afghan Hounds
As Afghan Hounds are active dogs, their dietary requirements are also a bit extensive. If you have an Afghan Hound with you, just remember to give him these three things, Water, Protein and Fats. Water is essential for these breeds as they were bred for hotter regions and thus have a higher need for hydration. As they are highly active dog, protein and fats are essential to preserve muscle mass and to sustain good endurance level as well. When it comes to the feeding amount, puppies require only a cup or one and half cup a day. Adult Afghan Hounds need 2 to 2.5 cups of top quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. Always measure your dog's food and then give it to him rather than leaving out their food all day long. This is beneficial because it prevents the chances of obesity in Afghan Hounds as they tend to over eat a lot. Some of the foods you should strictly avoid feeding Afghan Hounds are Garlic, Onion, Chocolate, Avocadoes, Fried Foods etc as these are highly toxic for them.
Grooming Your Afghan Hound
If you have Afghan Hounds, you need to give a lot of attention to their grooming part. They are high maintenance when it comes to taking care of their skin as they have long hairs that shed all through the year. Afghan Hound owners must know that frequent brushing, bathing, trimming is needed to keep this dog's hairfall to the least. An interesting thing to note is that Afghan Hound's hair is quite similar to us human's hair. Coming to the details of it's grooming, you need to brush and comb these dogs daily come what may. This is because their hairs can tangle and mat quite easily creating a lot of problems for them. It is better to use an Oval Pin Brush on these dogs as it glides smoothly through the fine hairs of Afghan Hounds, while keeping it clean. Regarding bathing, it is absolutely recommended that these dogs get a weekly bath. It is better to use a good dog shampoo while bathing them as it will effectively clear out the dirt from their thick coat.
Taking Care of a Afghan Hound
In addition to eye health care and blue eye syndrome, it is good to always offer a diet prescribed by a veterinarian and daily exercise, as it is a very active dog. Special attention to allergies which may include dietary restrictions, environmental changes and medications, and thyroid gland disorder - hypothyroidism.
History of Afghan Hounds
Afghan Hounds has its origin traced to Afghanistan, where its original name was Tazi. The breed has been known to exist since the pre-christian era. DNA researches have recently discovered that the Afghan Hound is one of the oldest dogs to have existed on earth and dates back to thousands of years. The first documentation of an modern Afghan Hound breeder is that of an English Officer who was stationed in Kabul in 1925. This dog breed was then transported to England and then made his way to America. Today, the American Kennel Club ranks this breed 86th among dogs and is now counted as one of the most popular dog breeds in the World.