Afghan Hound Breed Info

Sunday, February 12th, 2012 at 6:17 am

With the looks of a glamor model, and the physique of an athlete, the Afghan is an instantly recognizable dog breed.

These impressive dogs can be as tall as 29 inches at the shoulder and commonly weigh up to 58 pounds. They have an impressive coat that is long, sleek and lustrous. Any color is permitted within the breed standard, although white markings are not allowed.

Another common, characteristic is a black facemask, while some dogs also have a long Manchu-like moustache, called a 'mandarin'. As the name suggests, the breed originated in Afghanistan where they were used for hunting small game. They were originally introduced to the west in the 19th century, but by the end of the First World War had all but disappeared.

However, in the 1920's a breeder in Scotland imported several dogs from Afghanistan. These dogs were a big hit on the dog show circuit, and the breed quickly gain recognition from the major kennel clubs. Most Afghan's alive today descend from this small 'Scottish' group.

The Afghan Hound is an ancient dog breed that is genetically very close to the wolf, and is considered a close relative of the first domestic dogs.The Afghan temperament is a perfect match for its stylish looks. They are known to be aloof, stand-offish, and have even been described as ‘snobbish’. They are intelligent dogs, but with a stubbornness that makes them a challenge to train.

They’ve even been described as cat-like, because of their ability to totally blank you out. Put it this way, if you want an Afghan to obey your command, you’d better give him a good reason to.

But they are still great pets, and can be surprisingly loving with those close to them. With strangers though, they'll keep their distance, until you've earned their trust and respect.

In common with many sight hounds, Afghans have a tendency towards laziness. They enjoy nothing more than to curl up on the couch or a comfortable blanket and wile the hours away.

Once they get outside though, you'll see a different side to the dog. Suddenly, the hunting instinct kicks in and they'll track and chase any small animal they see.Despite their glamorous looks Afghans are surprisingly robust dogs and suffer from few health problems. They are known to suffer cataracts but are not prone to any of the major canine diseases.

If you were thinking that the luxuriant coat requires a lot of work, you'd be right. The Afghan is a high maintenance dog that must be brushed daily. In addition you'll need to to have the hair trimmed regularly in order for it to keep its shape.

Afghans were bred for hunting, but despite this are not really suited to outdoor living. Their impressive coat provides very little protection in a cold climate, and besides that they simply prefer to be sleeping on the couch than under the stars.

If you’re searching for dog names, for your Afghan Hound, I recommend puppy-names-hq.com. This site has 1000’s of excellent dog names, including a huge list of cute dog names choose from.