All About the Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is one of the oldest dog breeds, renowned for their elegance and beauty! A sighthound, the Afghan is a treasured member of the Hound Group. Often dubbed the “King of Dogs,” the Afghan Hound is one of the most interesting and eye-catching breeds in the dogdom.
Quick History and Function
The Afghan Hound’s origin predates written history. One ancient myth says that the Afghan Hound represented the dog species on Noah’s Ark!
There is little knowledge about the breed’s exact beginnings, but we do know it was developed in some of the world’s most remote locations in modern-day Afghanistan, India and Pakistan.
They were originally used as hunting companions and status symbols for royalty, tribal chieftains, and aristocrats in Asian mountain kingdoms. As a sighthound, the Afghan was developed for long hunts using panoramic vision and explosive speed.
The Afghan Hound didn’t spread to Western countries until the 1800s, and wasn’t registered by the AKC until 1927. One of the Marx Brothers, Zeppo Marx, was the first to bring an Afghan Hound to the United States. Since it’s arrival, this breed has been renowned for its beauty and success in the dog-showing world. The breed was also loved by Pablo Picasso, who made a statue of his Afghan named Kabul!
Interestingly, an Afghan Hound named Snuppy became the world’s first cloned dog in 2005. The process included the replication of cells taken from a 3-year-old Afghan and 123 surrogate mothers!
What Do They Look Like?
The Afghan is famous for its appearance! They stand about 25–27 inches tall and ideally weigh 50–60 pounds. Despite being a larger breed, the Afghan is also known for their longevity and have a life expectancy of about 12–18 years!
The Afghan has very long, thick, silky hair that was adapted to protect them from harsh mountainous climates. Their hair, which comes in almost every color, is shorter on their face, but long all the way to the tips of their tails. They do not shed much, but do require lots of grooming and bathing!
The Afghan Hound has a distinctly curled tail at the tip and pronounced hip bones. Their large paws act as shock-absorbers as well.
What’s the Afghan Like?
Despite their beauty, the Afghan isn’t for everyone and usually needs a more experienced owner! They are known for being independent, aloof and sweet. They prefer to spend their time by themselves, but are fiercely loyal to their owner. They also often exhibit a streak of silliness beneath their serious demeanor.
They are very self-willed and stubborn, making them more challenging to train. They are also very high energy and have a tendency to bark, needing plenty of mental and physical stimulation throughout the day.
Is the Afghan Hound Right for You?
The Afghan Hound takes a very special owner! Since they are reserved, they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they do make incredible companions for those who open their hearts and homes to them.
The Afghan doesn’t shed much, but does require weekly brushing and bathing to prevent matting and maintain the silkiness of their coats.
Since they are sighthounds, they need a yard with plenty of room to roam. They need daily vigorous exercise to keep up with their energy levels! It should also be noted that the Afghan has incredible jumping abilities, making them great escape artists in yards with short or no fences.
These dogs have an incredible prey drive and are very self-willed, making them more difficult to train than other breeds. Excelling in canine sports, these dogs love to have a purpose and plenty of mental stimulation!
Canine Conclusion
The King of Dogs, the Afghan Hound is an incredibly unique ancient breed that has managed to live on for hundreds of years. Stunningly beautiful and smart, the Afghan Hound takes a very special and experienced owner.
References
American kennel club. American Kennel Club. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2022, from https://www.akc.org/
