Large
14 Years
34 Kg
Hound Dogs
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent
Afghan Hounds are definitely a large breed of dog, with height that ranges from 24 to 29 inches, and a weight that ranges from 45 to 60 pounds. This dog is a tall breed with a lead build, they have a reasonable lifespan of 11 to 13 years.
The Afghan Hound is a majestic looking large breed of dog characterized by an exotic appearance distinct from the other dogs. Most notable to the Afghan Hound is the elongated head with a long nozzle paired with almond-shaped eyes and long, silky topknot supported to the body by a strong and arched neck. It has long ears, set approximately on level with the outer corner of the eyes, covered with long silky hair. It has a short back and a high pelvis with prominent hipbones supported by large feet. The hind quarters are somewhat bent in the stifle supported by large paws with thick pads which help cushion the body in rough mountainous terrains where the breed originated. The body is notably covered in a long, thick, silky coat which comes in a variety of colours, most notable of which are white, black, cream, red and silver. The prominent tail is curved on the end. Male Afghan Hounds typically stands between 68 to 71 cm while females measures between 61 to 64 cm. The average weight of the dog is between 23 to 28 kg.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The Afghan Hound most probably originated in Afghanistan where it was locally known as the Tazi, although there is no verifiable record that can tie the modern breed to these ancient desert-coursing hounds. The breed is thought to have dated back to the pre-Christian era and is considered one of the oldest breed of dogs. One theory suggest that the breed might have originated in the Sinai region of the Middle East where they were used by locals as coursing hounds and found its way to Afghanistan via Persia. Today's modern Afghan Hounds owe their ancestry to the various dogs brought to Great Britain in the 1800s by military personnel returning from service from Afghanistan and Persia (then part of British India) and during the early 1900s by Malik Amanullah Khan of Afghanistan where they were known as Persian greyhounds or Barukhzy hounds. Renowned painter Pablo Picasso owned an Afghan Hound named Kabul which appeared in several of his paintings.
Afghan Hounds are notoriously independent and often act clownish. Their aloof personality makes them a good fit for a family with young children. Not much bothers this dog breed. They’re always happy and eager to please. They have exceptional reasoning skills and are known to have a wonderful spirit. This dog breed shows lots of affection and can often by sensitive to having their needs met. They love the attention from their loved ones and can happily play for endless hours. They do require lots of training and exercise. This well-rounded dog breed would suit a family that loves the great outdoors. They have a high prey drive, so wouldn’t suit a family that already has small animals.
Afghans are sometimes characterized as one of the less clever and friendly breed of dogs because of their aloofness and independence. An Afghan puppy will typically seek affection from family members but once it matures, this affectionate attitude will diminish. A mature Afghan Hound has an independent disposition, aloof and dignified. It does not crave for attention even from family members and is sometimes reluctant to follow orders unless it wants to. However, the Afghan Hound also has a gay and humorous side if it's socialized properly.
The Afghan Hound is a naturally independent breed owing to its natural hunter instinct and a runner at heart. Its wild nature often adds to making them quite defiant and difficult to train. Early socialization with other people and animals is required to lessen the development of fear-based aggression. The pet owner or trainer should be relentless and have a lot of patience and understanding of the dogs temperament in order to raise a lovable dog. Afghans are moderately hard to train in obedience. Praising and encouragement are most often unsuccessful but a persistent trainer should have a positive result.
Grooming should be meticulously done and requires hours of care and attention at least twice a week to maintain the elegance of its thick coat of long silky hair. Use a soft-bristled brush to comb to avoid damaging or breaking the fine hairs. Weekly bathing is not required. Use quality dog shampoo with conditioner to make the long hair easy to brush. Avoid rubbing the towel to the dog's coat to avoid tangling and matting. Use of blow dryer is recommended while brushing the coat instead. Brush the teeth at least three times a week and clip the nails once a month.
Afghan Hounds are generally healthy, but like other breeds, they are also prone to certain ailments including:
Feed the Afghan Hound with dry dog food, preferably with vegetable oil supplement to keep the long silky hair shiny and healthy. Ideal diet for this breed include foods rich in protein, fiber and carbohydrates such as poultry, lamb and brown rice.
The Afghan Hounds can be high maintenance dogs. They do require lots of training and exercise. As they have lots of energy this dog breed requires a minimum of two long walks a day to exhaust their high energy. They’re extremely agile and known to be great at running and jumping. If they’re not provided with adequate amounts of exercise they can become bored and destructive. Before considering this dog breed you must be sure that you can meet their needs in terms of daily exercise. The Afghan hound is very independent and therefore training will require plenty of patience from the owner.
Afghans are not well-suited for an apartment life and should have plenty of exercise outdoors such as daily long walks. Biking with your dog on leash is an ideal exercise for this breed. An ideal home should have a well-fenced backyard with a large space where it can frolic and run full-speed each day.
Well-socialized Afghan Hounds get along great with kids and families, so long as the humans understand how to become a gentle pack leader. They should never be left unsupervised, as they ca become bored very easily.
Afghan Hounds have very high prey drives owing to their hunter instinct and may not get along very well with small animals such as smaller breed of dogs and cats. It's large size makes it an ideal adult pet but not highly recommended with children as it is an aloof breed and may not want to play with small kids. However, proper and early socialization should make the Afghan well-adopted to a family life with small children.
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