Afghan Hound

The Afghan Hound is one of the oldest breeds of sight-hounds still being bred today. As the name clearly implies, the Afghan hound originates from Afghanistan, where it is locally called Tazi. This breed was originally bred for chasing hares and other small game, and they’re still quite fast. Afghan hounds have a long, silky coat that comes in many colors, usually a brindle or brown with a darker face. They’re very tall dogs, some nearly two and a half feet tall at the shoulders. They have distinctly high hip bones which aids in their agility.

Afghan Hounds have very a mild temperament, and are often described as being clown-like when they play. They’re good dogs to keep with children. Unlike some dogs, Afghan Hounds don’t seem to try to desperately please people, and obedience training can be slow. They seem to prefer to “do their own thing.” Even after an Afghan Hound learns commands, it shouldn’t be surprising if they just start ignoring them. Afghan Hounds are often used in lure racing events however because that requires little training and a lot of speed.

Grooming an Afghan Hound is a major task, and maintaining their luscious coats takes work. They should be brushed daily and bathed biweekly. Using a conditioner (designed for dogs) will enhance the beauty of the coat. If you care about the appearance of your Afghan Hound, it should be kept inside. The outdoors will inevitably make a mess of it’s pretty coat. However, they’re perfectly capable of being outdoor dogs. Trimming nails and brushing your dog’s teeth are also recommended. Afghan Hounds are very large dogs, and not recommended for small houses or apartments, even though they are fairly relaxed, they need space.

Exercise is very important to such a large dog. Your Afghan Hound should get a lot of exercise, vigorous walking is a good source of this exercise. A game of fetch in a big fenced in yard also works. Diet is also important to an Afghan Hound. Feeding twice a day is healthier than leaving a bowl of food out constantly, this promotes overeating. Selecting a healthy food is also very important. It’s possible to make your own food if you choose. Fresh, cooked chicken and turkey are beneficial because of all the protein they contain, and a variety of vegetables can be fed to dogs.

Avoid garlic and onions if you choose to make your own food. If you choose to use a commercial food, carefully inspect the ingredients. Anything labeled as a by product or preservative in the ingredients is unnecessary and non-nutritious. Tocopherols are the only preservatives that can actually be beneficial because they’re made of vitamin E. Other ingredients to avoid include beef tallow, BHA, BHT, cane mallases, and Ethoxyquin.

An adult Afghan Hound should eat three to four cups of commercial dog food per day, and a portion of moist food can be mixed in as well. If you choose to make your own food, 3, ½ cup servings of protein (chicken, lamb, turkey) should be offered, 3, ½ cup servings of veggies (carrots, broccoli, peas, celery, spinach) and 1, ½ cup serving of starch (potatoes, oatmeal) should be offered as well. Puppies should eat smaller portions, but more frequently. If using a commercial food, use a puppy chow, or growth formula. As mentioned before, read the ingredients carefully and compare brands. Not all puppy chows are actually beneficial, some are just very fattening.

Afghan Hounds aren’t prone to any particular health problems if they’re properly cared for. However, they’re very sensitive to pain. Even small injuries can be very painful, and you need to keep this in mind if your Afghan Hound is ever hurt. A stressed dog in pain is more likely to bite, so be careful when examining injuries. There are several genetic eye disorders such as Retinal Dysplasia and Corneal degeneration. Getting your Afghan Hound from an experienced breeder can prevent the likelihood of a genetic disorder.