Afghan Hound breed description and information:
An ancient member of the Greyhound family, the Afghan Hound was believed to have been brought from Arabia and Persia to Afghanistan where the breed’s long coat developed in response to the harsh climate. It was there on the border between Afghanistan and India that the breed attracted the attention of British soldiers in the latter part of the 19th century. As a result, some Afghans were brought back to Britain and were first exhibited in a show in 1907 as “Oriental Greyhounds.”
As befitting its aristocratic appearance, the Afghan Hound is aloof and dignified but is also good-humoured.
Bred to course game such as the swift gazelle, the Afghan Hound is an athlete that requires lots of outdoor exercise.
The fine, silky, long and flowing coat is the Afghan Hound’s crowning glory. It is topped with a natural, short-coated saddle running from in front of the shoulders down the length of the back. The head is crowned by an impressive topknot that frames the smooth-coated face. The picture is completed by a lightly feathered tail carried in a ring at the end.
All colours are permissible with Afghans, but white markings are considered undesirable.
Ouch! That glamorous coat won’t stay beautiful on its own. It requires frequent bathing, and brushing on a regular basis, to maintain its pristine condition.
Dogs stand about 27 in (69 cm) at the shoulder and carry around 60 lb (27 kg) on their lean, active frames.
More Afghan Hound resources:
If you are considering the purchase of an Afghan Hound puppy, begin your search for Afghan breeders at our online Directory of Breeders, the most comprehensive online source for Canadian dog breeders.
To learn more about caring for puppies, please refer to the puppy section of our site. You’ll find expert advice on puppy health, nutrition, training, grooming and more.
We encourage you to subscribe to Dogs in Canada magazine and to sign up for our free e-newsletters – both are packed with interesting and informative articles about dogs.
