Alice White
The Afghan Hound is a dog with an active and outgoing personality. Afghan Hound is naturally very mobile, loves to play with people and other animals. Dogs of this breed are distinguished by their cheerful disposition, good nature, and devotion. At the same time, if necessary, Afghans show arrogance and stubbornness. Training them can be challenging.
Appearance
Afghan Hounds have a body structure similar to other greyhounds. The only difference is the chic long coat that adorns the Afghan. The large and hardy body of the dog, combined with elegance and aristocracy, make it a bright representative of all Hounds. The Afghan demonstrates majestic manners, walks with measured steps, looks at the world with a glance full of dignity. The height of the dog at the withers reaches 74 cm. The weight of an adult pet is 34 kg.
Under the long coat is a strong body with a broad chest, muscular legs, a strong straight back, and a slightly drooping croup. The wedge-shaped head is located high on a long neck. There is a smooth transition from the forehead to the nose. The muzzle is long. The eyes on her look a little oblique, have a triangular shape and a dark shade. The nose can be black or brown. The jaws are strong.
The ears of Afghans are elongated and drooping. The body ends with a long tail that curls towards the end. When the dog is active, the tail is higher than the level of the body. The silky coat is very soft and long, straight. Afghans run at high speeds that can reach 60 km / h. High running speed and grace are possible due to the special structure of the hips. The dog moves well in the highlands of Afghanistan with a sharp difference in altitude. Thanks to such abilities, she can easily jump over high obstacles.
History of the Breed
The appearance of dogs with such a typical appearance is attributed to ancient times. It was the long-haired Hound who got on the ark to Noah. There is confirmed data on the residence of Afghans in the lands of the Middle East, dating back several centuries BC.
At home, the dog was called the Afghan Shepherd Dog or Tazi. In Afghanistan, Hounds were used to hunt antelope, rabbits, and deer.
The modern Afghan Hounds were born by crossing the Longhaired Hound with the Saluki dog. The breed itself was officially recognized only in 1926. In the same year, the first club of fans of this breed in Great Britain was founded.
Personality
There are some character traits of the Afghan that distinguish him from other dogs. Despite the fact that the pet is loyal to all family members, special preference is always given to one owner. It is this person that the dog will love and constantly highlight. At the same time, the Afghan Hound needs reciprocal love and care. Afghans are by nature friendly, especially towards people they know well. The dog is indifferent to strangers, does not show aggression.
In a large family, the Afghan Hound restrained, calm, does not try to dominate. Afghan prefers peace and quiet. In a noisy environment, the dog is anxious. If there are small children in the house, then the Afghan Hound will not feel comfortable. Therefore, you should start such a dog at a time when the children have already grown up. This dog is well suited for active adults who are able to spend a lot of time with him on walks.
Care
Afghan Hound’s most comfortable place to live is in the open air. If the dog lives in an apartment, then the owner must have enough time for care, education, and active walks. The Afghan loves to run, and the owner needs to provide him with such an opportunity. He can be taken for jogging, he will happily run near the bike. If there is no time to care for the Afghan Hound, then it is better not to choose it as a pet. You may encounter her stubborn nature, disobedience on the street, and misunderstanding of commands.
The most difficult part of caring for an Afghan is keeping the coat clean and tidy. It should be combed at least twice a week, and better – more often. You should comb it out gradually so as not to miss a single area on the body. On average, it will take an experienced owner one hour to comb the coat. It is enough to wash the wool of an Afghan once every two months, using special cosmetics for dogs. Particular attention should be paid to long ears. It is necessary to monitor their cleanliness, clean them in time so as not to miss the development of infection.
Afghan Hounds are naturally robust. Therefore, a pet who receives the right care will delight his family with 16 years of marriage.
Health
Afghan Hounds are renowned for their robust health. There are no serious diseases that are genetically inherent in this breed. But there is one peculiarity of the breed. Afghans do not tolerate pain well. Their pain threshold is too low. Even a small wound or cut can cause severe pain to your pet. Especially on walks, a long tail suffers, which clings to tree branches and other obstacles in the dog’s path. After a walk, you need to wash your pet’s paws, inspect them and the tail well for damage. If wounds are found, it is best to contact your veterinarian. It will help relieve pain in your dog.
A strong immunity can be provided by the Afghan Hound with a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
Conclusion
The Afghan Hound is increasingly popular with people as just a pet. But one should not forget about her excellent hunting qualities. In addition, in recent years, the dog began to be used for official purposes, where it also showed itself on the good side.
Afghans are reserved, fairly calm dogs who never seek to dominate. They love silence and have a negative attitude towards loud noises. Because of the loud sounds, they begin to worry. Therefore, Afghan Hounds are not the best solution for families with small children.
