The afghan hound dog breed is a breed of dog that originated in Afghanistan thousands of years ago. It is a breed that is known for its beautiful, long, silky hair coat and slender, and beautiful physical build. Afghan Hounds are often referred to as the “king of dogs” due to their very fantastic and regal appearance and proud bearing.
Afghan Hounds Breed Features
| Average Life Period | 12 – 14 years |
| Bred For | Hunting and Security |
| Weight | Male = 55 – 65 Lbs, Female = 45 – 55 Lbs |
| Coat | Long and Silky |
| Height | Male = 27 – 29 inches, Female = 25 – 27 inches |
| Colours | White, Black, Red, Cream and Fawn etc |
| Grooming Needs | High |
| Club Recognition | 1. AKC Club 2. UKC Club |
| Exercise Requirements | Average 40 – 50 minutes daily |
| Energy Level | Average |
| Tendency to Bark | Low |
| Tendency to Snore | Low |
| Tendency to Dig | Low |
Physical Characteristics of Afghan Hound Dog Breed
The Afghan Hound is one of the best pet dog breeds with a size medium to large, tall standing at a height of 25-29 inches i-e female 25-27 and male 27-29 inches in general, and weighing between 50-60 pounds (23 – 27 Kilograms) generally.
They have a slender, athletic physical build with long and arched nech, narrow legs, large paws and a long, thin tail. The most distinctive feature of the Afghan Hound breed is its coat, which is long, silky, and luxurious. Afghan Hounds come in a variety of colors, including black, white, red, cream, blue, and fawn.
Temperament of Afghan Hounds
Afghan Hounds are known for their independent nature and aloof demeanor, their elegant, graceful appearance. They are intelligent and highly trainable but can be stubborn at times.
These hounds are very loyal and affectionate to their owners. They are generally good with children, family people, and other pets at home, but may be reserved or aloof with strangers also. Afghan Hounds are playful and energetic, and they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
Afghan Hounds are not typically aggressive, but they can be strong-willed and may not be the best choice for first-time dog owners. The main reason is that first-time dog owners don’t have enough experience to train and care for the afghan hound dog breed as much as they need.
It’s important to remember that every dog is an individual, and temperament can vary widely even within the same breed. It’s always a good idea to do your own research and spend some time interacting with a particular dog before making a commitment to adopt or purchase one.
The Health of Afghan Hounds
Afghan Hounds are generally healthy dogs and they have a lifespan of 12-14 years. However, same like all the other dog breeds, they can be prone to certain health problems. Some of the diseases that may affect the Afghan Hound breed include hip dysplasia, eye problems and skin allergy diseases.
Hip dysplasia is a common condition in afghan hounds in which the hip joint does not develop properly, which causes pain and difficulty in walking. The afghan hounds may suffer from dysplasia disease because of their long, slender legs and deep chests.
Afghan Hounds may also suffer from eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) diseases. These diseases can cause vision loss and may require treatment or surgery.
Afghan Hounds may also suffer from skin allergies, which can cause inflammation, itching and redness. Skin allergies can be caused by a variety of things, including environmental allergens like pollens, mold, and dust mites, as well as certain foods and chemicals allergens. These skin allergies must be treated on time.
In order to keep your Afghan Hound healthy, it is important to consult a veterinarian when you see your dog experiencing any health problems. Regular checkups and preventive measures can help to resolve any potential health issues.
Care of Afghan Hounds
The afghan hound dog breed requires a significant amount of grooming because they are the best pet dog breeds with a beautiful long, silky hair coat and slender physical build.
For better growth and cleanliness they should be brushed at least once a week to prevent matting and tangles. Afghan Hounds should also be bathed regularly to keep their hair coat clean. And their hair coat should be trimmed every few months in order to make them healthy.
In addition to grooming the dogs, Afghan Hounds also need regular exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. They are very energetic and need to be taken outside on daily walks or runs, and they enjoy playing well and participating in other interactive activities.
History of Afghan Hounds Breed
The Afghan Hound is a very beautiful and human friendly breed of the dogs that is thought to have originated in country Afghanistan over 4,000 years ago. These dogs had been used for centuries as human companions, guards and hunters.
The afghan hound dog breed is mainly known for its long, silky hair coat and slender and athletic physical build. This dog breed is considered to be one of the oldest dog breeds in the world and has a rich history of thousands of the years in past.
The Afghan Hounds breed is believed to have been developed by nomadic tribes in the country Afghanistan, who bred these dogs for their ability for hunting and security purposes. This breed is a sighthound, which means it is bred to hunt by the sight rather than by scent or smell. This quality made this breed well-suited for hunting in the rugged, mountainous terrain of Afghanistan.
The Afghan Hounds breed was first imported to Europe in the late 19th century, where it quickly gained popularity as a show dog. The Afghan Hound breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1926 in a dog show, and that show has been a popular dog show in United States ever in history.
This time, the Afghan Hounds breed is still prized for its elegance, fast speed and agility. This breed is also valued as a loyal and affectionate companion to their owners.
Conclusion
The Afghan Hounds breed is a beautiful and elegant breed of dog that is famous for its long, beautiful and silky hair coat and athletic physical build. They are very intelligent and good at being trained but can be stubborn sometimes.
The afghan hound dog breed is generally good with family people, children and other pets at home, and even maybe friendly with strangers too.
If you like to keep an afghan hound at your home then remember they require a significant amount of grooming. They need regular exercise, walks and runs for living healthy and mental stimulation to stay happy. You have to devote your time and energy to for better caring and training your afghan hound.
There are so many dog breeds, many purebred and other hybrid dog breeds. For example, Airedale Terrier, Akita, and Alaskan Malamute are purebred dogs. And Affenpoo, Beaglepoo, and Cavapoo are hybrid dog breeds.
FAQs
1. Is an Afghan Hound a good family dog?
Afghan Hounds are generally independent, very loving, and friendly with their owner family members, children, and other pets at home. These dogs are highly trainable and very intelligent by their nature, hence an Afghan Hound is a good family dog to keep at home.
2. Do Afghan hounds still exist?
Today afghan hound dog breed is seldom used for security and hunting purposes in America and Europe countries, where these hounds are most popular. Afghan Hounds are frequently presented in lure coursing events and shows and they are very popular in the shows. Hence afghan hounds still exist.
3. Are Afghan hounds purebred?
It is believed that Afghan Hounds are the oldest breed of dog, and some authorities maintain these dogs breed in their original breed form. So Afghan Hounds are purebred dogs.
4. How long do Afghan dogs live?
Afghan hounds/dogs have an average lifespan of 12 – 14 years.
5. What is the smartest dog?
According to the record of The Intelligence of Dogs, the border collie ranks 131 dog breeds in relative intelligence terms. Therefore it is believed that the border collie is the smartest dog breed.