History
Studies of the canine genome suggest that beautiful Afghan hounds are one of the oldest breeds of dogs. Initially, the utility of these hounds was limited to hunting of fast-moving animals such as deer, antelopes, etc.
These greyhounds were brought by the British officers from the breeders to the West and most of these dogs died due to food shortages during the World War which is why the remaining numbers were carefully bred. The Scottish imported some desert type golden afghan hounds in 1920 and people exported some mountain breeds to England and America. The American Kennel Club acknowledged the race in 1926, while the establishment of the grey Afghan Hound Club of America was in 1937.
Interesting Facts
- In the first few years in America, the miniature hounds were considered untrustworthy because of their independent nature
- They run faster than other domesticated breeds owing to their high hip
- The mountain breed has an advantage in coping with winters, while the desert breed can cope better in summers
Varieties
There are two major varieties of Afghanistan Hounds, one belonging to the western and southern deserts and others with the mountain origins. The desert originated hounds have lighter coat and color while those belonging to the mountains have darker and heavier coats.
Temperament & Personality
Due to the loyal yet hunting nature, it does not behave well with unknown people. These hounds will act offensively in front of guests. In spite of this personality, they are not known to be a good watchdog, unlike other hounds. The independent nature of this breed makes it both a challenge and a feature. Training an afghan hound puppy is not easy and it may misbehave at times.
Agfghan Hound dog breeds cannot be lured by food and does not prefer to gather attention by pleasing everyone. However, when on its own, the Afghan will take right decisions and may outperform other breeds. The best way to live with them is by offering gentle care. Rough breeding will make the dog rude which is why the handler needs to be patient.
Care
Exercise
The Afghan hounds prefer being at home, so exercise is imperative to their health. Experts recommend regular leash walks and run in a fenced area and consistent obedience training is also essential as they are experts in escaping and hard to catch.
Grooming
Hair is crucial for the beauty of Afghan Hounds which is they must be kept clean and well-conditioned for a glamorous coat. A high-quality shampoo, cream rinse and hair dryer are essential for the tidying. The grooming before matting is vital wherein bathing and brushing two times per week is sufficient. Trimming nails once or twice a month will be required.
Health Problems
The Afghans are prone to dysplasia in hip and elbow, hypothyroidism and von Willebrand’s disease. Cataracts and chronic allergies are also common and these creatures are extra sensitive to anesthetics which may become an issue in their medication.
Training
Training the Afghan hound is difficult because of its temperament. Persistent care, gentleness and love is required to instruct it. The transformation of daily exercises into regular game sessions will make training easier. Once a connection is established, the dog will behave playfully.
Feeding
Diet usually depends on its size, age, metabolism and energy level. The Afghan Hounds are to be fed 2 to 2.5 cups of high-quality food two times per day. The handler must monitor the diet appropriately so that required nutrition is available.
Mixes
Pooghan : Afghan Hound and Poodle
Afghan Retriever : Afghan Hound and Golden Retriever
Afghan Sheepdog : Afghan Hound and Belgian Sheepdog
Afador : Afghan Hound andLabrador retriever
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