Afghan Hound: Incredible Personality, Health, Diet

Afghan Hound Scientific Classification

Kingdom           Animalia

Phylum               Chordata

Class                      Mammalia

Order                     Carnivora

Family                     Canis

Scientific Name:   Canis lupus

Afghan Hound Locations

Asia

Conservation Status

Not Listed

Physical Characteristics

Color                   Brown, Black, White, Gold

Skin Type           Hair

Lifespan            12 – 14 years

Weight            50 – 60 lbs

2 Pros and Cons of Having Afghan Hound

Pros

Warm Personalities

Afghan Hound dogs are social and loving with their human family members, making them good family pets.

Minimal Shedding

If you are looking for a dog with minimal mess and brushing, these dogs shed surprisingly little for having such a long coat.

Cons

It needs much space

These dogs do not feel well in small places and need a large area to release their energy.

High maintenance and grooming

Although they do not shed a lot, they also take enough time to groom these dogs because of their long, silky hair. This issue can be remedied by keeping the puppy shaved or short-haired, and many owners will do so to keep their dogs cool when the weather gets warmer.

Afghan Hound History

These dogs mainly come from Afghanistan, where the breed is Tazi. The breed dates back to the pre-Christian era. DNA researchers recently discovered that the Afghan Hound is an ancient dog breed dating back thousands of years.

These dogs can be traced back to numerous regions of Afghanistan, and their coats and colors differ depending on where they belong. Dogs from mountain regions have dense and dark coats, while those from the desert have coats that are lighter in color and volume.

Nowadays, Afghans are the product of breeding struggles completed by the English in the 1920s. Still, they all died out during World War 1 when resources shifted, and breeding and caring for companion animals became challenging. In the mid-1920s, British military officers brought these dogs to the West, and in 1927, the breed was registered by the American Kennel Club (AKL). By the 1980s, these dogs in America had become mainstays of the show dog and obedience circuits.

Afghan Hound Personality

This is one person or one family dog. Do not look at this hound excitedly welcome your guests. More possibly, he will upset them by being uncaring of their presence. While some bark once or twice when a stranger enters the home, the breed is not known for being a good watchdog. Their independent nature makes it a challenge to train them.

Although this dog breed makes a mind-blowing presentation in the show ring, more than one professional handler has been mortified by a refusal to cooperate in the ring. Rough control can cause this dog to become withdrawn or slightly aggressive.

Size and Weight

With long and beautiful hair, these dogs have a beautiful look. The standard weight and height of this dog breed are here:

Weight Male               27 inches tall

Weight Female             25 inches tall

Height Male                   50 – 60 lbs fully mature

Height Female                50 – 60 kg fully mature

Afghan Hound Health Problems

Afghan Hounds are prone to many health problems; however, that does not mean that all dogs will experience them. Some common diseases that may affect this breed are described here.

Allergies

Dogs can be allergic to various things, such as food and the environment. Symptoms of allergies are sneezing, eye and nasal discharge, itching, and lethargy. Treatment differs according to the cause and may include dietary restrictions, medications, and environmental changes.

Hip Dysplasia

It is a heredity disease that causes the hip joints to form correctly and leads to arthritis. The dog has difficulty getting up from lying down. We can treat this disease earlier to avoid discomfort and pain. We shall take X-rays of the dog’s joints to identify the disease earlier. Surgery is the last option if the disease is in the acute stage. Overweight dogs may grow arthritis before normal-weight dogs, causing excessive pain and sorrow.

Cancer

Symptoms that may show canine cancer include abnormal swelling or soreness, sores that do not heal, bleeding from any body opening, and difficulty breathing. Cancer treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and medications.

Cataracts

Cataracts are partial or complete opacities in the eye lens that may cause dogs to lose vision. Depending on the condition, cataracts may sometimes be removed by surgery.

Hypothyroidism

This is a disease of the thyroid gland. Signs include enduring ear infections, bacterial skin infections, hair loss, and sadness. Medication and diet can treat this.

Demodectic mange

This is a skin disease caused by mites. Signs contain hair loss from the face or body.

Afghan Hound Lifespan

The average lifespan of an Afghan Hound is 12 to 14 years, but with proper care and diet, it can live up to 15 years.

Afghan Hound Diet

The suggested daily food quantity is 2 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food divided into two meals. Please keep your dog in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice daily despite free feeding.

The amount of food your dog eats depends on its size, age, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are individual; like people, they do not need the same amount of food. An active dog needs more food than a less active dog.

The quality of food you buy also matters. The better dog food you buy, the more nurtured your dog will be.

Afghan Hound price

This dog breed is more expensive than other dog breeds. The typical cost of a puppy of this dog is $2500 to $3500. Puppies from a regular breeding farm will cost between $2,000 and $2,500 each. Puppies from reputable breeding farms may also cost about $3,000 to $5500. However, Central Asian dogs usually are more substantial, wilder, and have more gene sources than those bred in Europe and the United States.

Maintenance and Grooming

Afghan Hounds do not shed much, but brushing through their long hairs takes a while, so they take extra time during the shedding sessions. These meetings should comprise regular washing to prevent dander and retain their silky fur.

If you want to spend less time on their hair, keep their pet short-haired.

Exercise

Afghan Hounds are highly active dogs and need regular exercise to stay healthy. Therefore, ensuring your dog gets at least two hours of exercise daily is essential to its fitness and health. Physical activity superbly affects these dogs, helping them maintain good behavior.

Training

The sturdy-willed nature of the Afghan Hounds makes them somewhat obstinate when it comes to training. A solid but positive nature is necessary to transfer authority, though they may still have a tough time with training. They are not known for being obedient and frequently do not respond to training actions.

Afghan Hound Puppies

Although adult dogs have long, flowing hair, young puppies differ. They need less maintenance and grooming than their adult partners. This is an expensive breed, and although most people identify them, it is not commonly found. The breed’s popularity was maximum in the 1970s and has declined ever since, with only 63 litters registered with the AKC in 2022.

As this breed can be independent, owners must train their puppies earlier. This will help teach the basics and set them up for successful training in the future. The breed can be quite aloof with strangers, so early socialization is necessary. Also, join for puppy classes. Not only does this help give a simple understanding of training skills and procedures, but it will let your puppy interact with other dogs and people in a safe and friendly environment.

Afghan hound puppies need care in the same way as adult dogs. However, puppies need more protein than adults, helping them grow strong, athletic, and solid bodies. Their meals are divided into numerous small meals to confirm that the food is controllable.

Afghan Hounds Popular Names

• Leopard
• Princess
• Marques
• Nicholas

Male vs. Female

Males will grow slightly taller and heavier than their females; both are independent but loving. They are also both prone to the same health conditions. Although it depends on the individual’s personality, the male is likely to be clasped and has a better potential to be aggressive. However, this breed is famous for being very aggressive.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can Afghan Hound be aggressive?

They are famous for their remoteness and independence. Due to their natural natures, they might be cautious around foreigners, but aggression is uncommon in well-socialized and adequately trained dogs.

Are Afghan Hounds good family pets?

They can be compatible with children and other pets with proper training and vigilance. They are skinny under their thick coats and eat far less than their size suggests. High-quality dog food can help keep the skin and coat healthy.

What do Afghan Hounds eat?

The best food for these dogs is balanced and appropriate for their life stage and energy needs. The recommended daily amount of food is 2 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food, divided into two meals. This may also contain high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.

Are Afghan Hounds Protective?

These dogs like to hunt and chase small animals outdoors. They get along well with indoor pets, including cats; however, a family dog is aloof towards strangers. It is a suitable watchdog but a less protective dog.

Are Afghan Hounds easy to train?

Though highly clever, they are exciting to train because they are stubborn. They are susceptible to severe correction, which often causes a refusal to obey. They respond well to guidance. Constant grooming is essential to keep their coat well.

How old do Afghan Hounds live?

The typical lifespan of these dogs is 13 years, but with appropriate care and diet, they can live up to 15 years.