The Afghan Hound

The Afghan Hound is known for its beauty and elegance, as a result it is commonly called the king of the dog world.

The Afghan Hound has excellent vision and was initially bred to hunt game as a sight hound.

Consequently, because of the nomadic life of the Afghan and Pakistan tribes that created the Afghan breed, it continued to evolve until it became a multi-purpose helper.

This dog is one of the few breeds that can hunt game, herd sheep and defend its home with equal proficiency. Nowadays, this member of the American Kennel Club's hound group excels in obedience, as well.

The dog weighs fifty to sixty pounds and stands between twenty four and twenty eight inches tall.

This breed can come in any color or combination of colors, having said that, white markings are considered unfavorable. It has long ears covered in sleek hair and this breed's dark eyes give it an Oriental appearance.

There is no doubt that Afghan Hounds are graceful and majestic, but they are also strong, energetic dogs, bred to survive harsh conditions.

Taking this into consideration, plenty of excercise is essential to this breed of dog, so it is not ideal for an apartment. Be sure that you only exercise your dog in a fenced yard or on a lead. These dogs are much too fast for humans to catch them easily if they decide to run off.

If you do allow your dog to romp in your yard, be certain that the fence is substantially high. The Afghan Hound has the capacity to jump easily over fences that would contain any ordinary dog.

The Afghan Hound and People

If you are looking for a pet that does well with small children, then this breed of dog may not be an ideal choice. These dogs are extremely attached to family and friends, so much that they do not adjust well to being placed in a new home once they are adults.

It is important to note that they are very independent and are not overly tolerant of rough handling by youngsters. Although it is true that because of this independence, they are sometimes difficult to train, this breed is very intelligent and can really do well in obedience if it becomes stimulated by the training.

You may want to consider taking your dog to puppy obedience classes to understand the basics, but be sure you find a trainer that doesn't believe in forcing obedience. Clicker training is a good preference for this breed.

When feeding this breed, you should keep a few particular considerations in mind. These dogs are prone to bloat, so if you are feeding a dry food diet, you should soak the food in water for five or ten minutes before you present it to your dog.

You should also be sure you don't let your dog out to run for at least an hour after he eats. Don't allow him to guzzle water and always be certain the water is at room temperature.

The Afghan Hound and Health

On the whole, the Afghan Hound is a somewhat healthy breed but while this is true, besides bloat, this breed is prone to Cancer and allergies.

If your dog needs surgery or goes in for dental cleaning or grooming, be sure you remind your vet that this breed has problems with anesthesia.

The Afghan Hound and Grooming

These dogs have a long coat on the lower half of their bodies and a shorter coat on their chest and back. They are known for their elegant topknots.

Because of its thick, silky coat, this dog does need to be groomed regularly. Brush your dog's coat thoroughly at least twice a week. You will need to clip its toenails once a month and should consider brushing its teeth everyday.

Taking all this into consideration, If you want a dog that is dependent on you, then an Afghan Hound is not right for you and your family. However, if you don't mind having a dog that is independent and likes to think for himself, then this may be the perfect choice for you.

Afghan Hound Books