Afghan Hound

The Afghan Hound is considered an aristocratic sighthound. Greyhound-like but with a long silky coat. Distinctive coat pattern with short hair on the face and back (saddle) and a sparsely feathered tail with a ring in it. The tail has a curl or ring at the tip but is not carried over the back. Afghans can be found in a variety of colours from gold to cream, brindle, and black. All colours are permitted.

This is a very elegant, ancient dog. The breed was kept pure for centuries, and its exportation was always prohibited. It therefore only reached Europe as contraband early in the 1900s. An extremely fast and agile runner, the Afghan is a sighthound, which means it hunts by sight rather than by scent. It was used as a shepherd and as a hunter of many types of game including deer, wild goats, snow leopards, and wolves. They were also used by shepherds as herders and watchdogs. Their thick coat protects against temperature extremes. They have become luxurious pets and show dogs because of their aristocratic beauty. Some of the Afghan's talents are hunting, sighting, tracking, herding, watchdog, racing and lure coursing.

Aloof, and often distant with strangers but still possessing a sense of fun and a well-developed sense of humour. Often headstrong but can be trained with positive reinforcement techniques. The Afghan has been described as "a king of dogs" - noble, majestic, and elegant. This breed can be difficult to house train. It can also be timid and high-strung if it does not receive enough mental and physical exercise.

The long, thick coat demands a great deal of attention. In full coat, grooming needs to be done regularly (weekly) and a wash and conditioning rinse is recommended every 2 or 3 weeks. Clipped dogs need much less maintenance and clipping is recommended for a lot of pets. Afghans are active dogs and enjoy walks and free running in a secure area. This breed is an average shedder.