So, You Want to be Owned by an Afghan Hound

Kindly reprinted with the Breed Council's permission

Afghan Hounds are sight hounds originating from Afghanistan (A Sighthound is a dog that hunts by sight). They have distinctive characteristics and features which make them unique. Their instinct is to chase and catch anything that is running. In their native country they were used to hunt antelope and gazelle and even snow leopards. They have very good vision, strong jaws, and a lengthy neck which help in sighting and catching their prey. They have lean muscular bodies, a deep chest to house their lungs, and long powerful legs which are essential for them to catch their agile prey. Their big feet help them to keep a firm footing. In their native country their thick coat protected them against extreme cold of the upper snow regions but equally shielded them from the sun in the desert areas.

Afghan Hound coats come in many different colours such as gold, white, cream, silver, blue, black, black and tan, and brindle mixtures of colours. The facial area can be either black, shaded or self masked. The coat is long, thick, silky and has a fine texture. Distinctive features are the long top knot, ringed tail, and the short haired saddle on the back.

Afghan Hounds are large dogs. When fully grown, a dog's height is between 27 and 29 inches to the shoulder, and bitches are smaller at 25 to 27 inches. They can weigh around 30 kilos.

As pets, Afghan Hounds are very affectionate. They are aloof, dignified, affectionate, and sensitive but can also act the clown. They can be reserved and quite vocal when strangers are around. Afghans need training and firm control to keep their instinctive habits in check. These dogs are very independent characters, and will do what they want to, and not be your slave. This often gives them the reputation of being dumb, but this is not so. They can be highly intelligent and are independent thinkers. However, some have been trained for obedience work.

Afghan Hounds require space to exercise. They have high stamina levels and need daily walks to keep their minds active, and like most dogs, there is less chance for them to get bored and destructive. They can be very nimble, jump high fences or even dig their way under them, so you should securely fence your garden. You should also check out what plants are poisonous to dogs. Exercising will consist of good daily walks, and plenty of playtime. Running free may be a problem unless you can find a completely enclosed and well-fenced area. 

 

Afghan Hounds love to be with a family. They enjoy home comforts and are likely to take over your sofa, so a comfortable bed should be bought for them. They are usually good with children but their exuberance can sometimes be a problem with younger ones. A lot depends on the relationship developed by parents and the examples set by them. Youngsters should be taught that a dog's only defense is biting. In any event, a small child should never be left alone with any dog no matter how good they are together.

Before you decide that an Afghan hound is for you, you should research as much as you can about the breed. Talk to owners and breeders, and visit their web sites. Go to local shows, and read books etc. Then you should contact the secretary of an Afghan Hound association who will put you in touch with reputable breeders.

Reputable breeders will not rush to sell you a puppy but will check out your suitability. They will want to know if you can provide a good safe home for the dog. !f you are at work, what arrangement you will have for looking after the dog during the day, especially in its younger years? Will the dog live in the home? Is there a well fenced outside exercise area that is safe? What arrangement do you have for exercising the dog? Do you have any other pets in the home? Are there any small children? They will ask if you want a pet or a show dog. (A show quality puppy should come as close to the standard as possible, hut there are no guarantees.)

You should, where possible, ask to see the sire and dam. Ask for a copy of the pedigree. Puppies should not leave their mother until eight weeks of age. A good breeder will always take back dogs they have bred and re-home them if necessary.

Training a puppy can be time consuming. You should join the local puppy socialisation classes and training lessons.

Housing. All dogs need their own bit of space. Make it cosy, quiet and warm. Things which are breakable or valuable should be put out of harms way. Areas that your puppy will initially be confined to should be appropriately blocked off, e.g. using stair gates. Gardens should be secure with appropriate fencing. Gaps should be filled in. Remember that they are great escape artists.

Grooming consists not only of brushing and bathing, but checking eyes, teeth, ears, feet, and nails. Any health problems can be picked up by this regular routine. You will need the following equipment to look after them: a grooming table, hair dryers, shampoos, collars and leads. In addition, you will need extras like coats, and snoods. (Snoods protect their ears from getting food on them when they eat.)

Feeding. While a puppy is young the same brands of food should be fed as recommended by the breeder. Different foods should be introduced slowly, or you may upset their stomachs.

Vaccinations. When purchasing an Afghan hound a vaccination and worming procedure should be carried out. All owners of dogs and puppies are concerned about health care of their pets because health issues can occur from time to time. The Kennel Club web site contains much information on how to make sure your puppy is healthy. If your puppy does become ill, the vet bills can be costly, so consider taking out insurances. Make sure your pet has a tag on its collar. Also, micro chipping is recommended.

Holidays can be a problem. Find out about reputable boarding kennels and dog sitters. Coming home from holiday to an ungroomed Afghan Hound is not what you need.

Enjoying your dog is most important. Many societies and clubs hold various activities such as showing, racing, lure coursing, agility and even obedience.

Rescue. Unfortunately there are times when Afghan Hounds require re homing, You may consider taking on an older Afghan Hound. This can be rewarding for both the new owner and the pet.

Always remember puppies need love. Enjoy your puppy and train him/her well and he or she will respond accordingly. Look after them properly and they will be your friends for many years to come. Taking on an Afghan Hound is a big commitment. The life expectancy could be up to 14 years and beyond.