Afghan Hound

also known as Eastern Greyhound / Persian Greyhound, Da Kochyano Spay, Sage Balochi, Tazi, Ogar Afgan, Baluchi Hound, Tazhi Spay

Pros History


The Afghan Hound is a breed of dog that has a long and rich history. Originally bred in the mountainous regions of Afghanistan, these dogs were used for hunting and herding by the nomadic tribes that lived there.

Kennel clubs and organizations that have recognized the Afghan Hound as a breed include the American Kennel Club (AKC), which first recognized the breed in 1926, and the United Kingdom's Kennel Club, which first registered the breed in 1907.

The breed gets its name from the region it originated from, Afghanistan. The breed was created by the nomadic tribes of Afghanistan, who selectively bred the dogs for their hunting and herding abilities.

Afghan Hounds are known for their elegant and graceful appearance, with long, silky coats and distinctive "afro" hairstyles. They are also known for their independent and aloof personalities, which can make them a bit challenging to train.

Despite this, Afghan Hounds are highly valued for their beauty and have been used in various capacities throughout history, such as hunting big game in the mountains, herding livestock, guarding property, and as royal companions. They have also been popular as show dogs and have been featured in various forms of media.

Breed Information


Type

Is Afghan Hound a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Afghan Hounds originally used for?

hunting rabbits and gazelle

Lifespan

How Long Do Afghan Hounds Live? What is average life expectancy for an Afghan Hound? How long can Afghan Hounds live?

12-14 years

The average Afghan Hound lifespan is somewhere between 12-14 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Afghan Hound Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Afghan Hound?

What is the average height of an Afghan Hound? How big is an Purebred Afghan Hound height? Afghan Hound dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 24-29 inches (61 - 73.7 cm) 24.0 inches (61 cm) 26.0 inches (66 cm) 27.5 inches (69.9 cm)
Female 22-25 inches (55.9 - 63.5 cm) 21.5 inches (54.6 cm) 22.5 inches (57.2 cm) 24.5 inches (62.2 cm)
What is the average weight of an Afghan Hound? How much should Afghan Hounds weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 44-60 pounds (20 - 27 kg) 40.0 pounds (18 kg) 47.5 pounds (22 kg) 50.0 pounds (23 kg)
Female 40-50 pounds (18 - 23 kg) 35.0 pounds (16 kg) 40.0 pounds (18 kg) 47.5 pounds (22 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Afghan Hounds get fat easily?

The Afghan Hound is a dog breed that has a low risk for obesity. This means that they are less prone to gain weight than many other breeds, but it is still important to monitor their food intake and ensure they get enough exercise to maintain a healthy weight and overall well-being.

Hypoallergenic

Are Afghan Hounds Hypoallergenic?

Yes

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Afghan Hounds are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Temperament

What is an Afghan Hound personality? What are Afghan Hound dogs best known for?

Aloof
Dignified
Independent
Clownish
Happy

Shedding Level

Are Afghan Hounds heavy shedders? How Much Does an Afghan Hound Shed?

Afghan Hound dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Afghan Hound. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of an Afghan Hound dog?

The Afghan Hound breed is one of the worst choice if you want a good watchdog.

Breed History


Ancestry

What are Afghan Hounds descended from?

saluki (persian greyhound)

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Afghan Hound breed?

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club

Date of Birth

When were Afghan Hounds first bred? How old is the Afghan Hound breed?

ancient times

Breed Group

What Breed Group is an Afghan Hound?

Sporting (AKC:1926)
Sighthound & Pariah (UKC)

Afghan Hound Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Afghan Hound eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Afghan Hound nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Afghan Hound coat be naturally?

Black
Red
Cream
Blue
Silver
White

Coat Length

How long is an Afghan Hounds coat?

The coat of an Afghan Hound dog is generally known for its length.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Afghan Hound Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of an Afghan Hound?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can an Afghan Hound have in a litter? How many puppies can an Afghan Hound have in her first litter?

12-14 puppies per pregnancy

An Afghan Hound can have a litter of 12-14 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Afghan Hounds are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Afghan Hound Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Afghan Hounds have a lot of health problems?

The Afghan Hound is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning an Afghan Hound?

Demodectic Mange
Cataracts
Hip Dysplasia
Thyroid
Corneal Opacities

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Afghan Hounds?

Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Retinal Dysplasia
Glaucoma

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Afghan Hound breed?

Eye
Hip X-Rays
Heart

Afghan Hound Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Afghan Hounds have a lot of energy?

Afghan Hounds are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do Afghan Hounds need socialization? How social are Afghan Hounds?

Afghan Hounds have average social needs compared to other breeds. They are known to be less active and independent than other breeds, and they are content with spending time alone and with their human family.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Afghan Hounds get?

The Afghan Hound dog needs significant physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They are also well-suited for those who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy activities such as running, hiking, or other outdoor pursuits.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should an Afghan Hound have? Do Afghan Hounds sleep a lot?

Afghan Hounds are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Does an Afghan Hound drool a lot?

The Afghan Hound is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Afghan Hounds are known to bark very little or not at all. They tend to be very quiet and do not bark excessively. They may only bark in specific situations, such as when they need to alert their owner to something important or when they are in distress.

Territorial

Do Afghan Hounds exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

Afghan Hound dogs are not known for their protective nature and may not be the best choice as guard dogs. They do not have a strong drive to defend their territory and may not be inclined to provide protection.

Mouthiness

Are Afghan Hounds mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of an Afghan Hound running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Afghan Hound dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Afghan Hounds enjoy doing? How do I keep my Afghan Hound busy?

Walking, Running

Activity Level

What is the energy level of an Afghan Hound? How much energy does an Afghan Hound have?

Medium

Afghan Hounds are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should an Afghan Hound walk each week? How many miles should an Afghan Hound walk every week?

8 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Afghan Hound, it's at least 8 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much an Afghan Hound should exercise a day? How much activity does an Afghan Hound need?

45 minutes

In general most Afghan Hounds usually need at least 45 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for an Afghan Hound?

This breed is known for having high grooming needs.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush an Afghan Hound?

Daily

Ideally, Afghan Hound should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Afghan Hounds?

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does an Afghan Hound eat?

3 cups

For an average 44-60 pound (20 - 27 kg) Afghan Hound feed 3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does an Afghan Hound Cost Daily?

$3.90 - $4.20 / day

The average cost of an Afghan Hound is somewhere $3.90 - $4.20 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does an Afghan Hound Cost Per Month?

$112 - $126 / month

The average per month expenses of an Afghan Hound is between $112 - $126. This makes an average of $1344 - $1512 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Afghan Hound Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is an Afghan Hound?

The Afghan Hound have the lowest degree of obedience intelligence. This breed is an independent "freethinker" and gets on the dumbest dog breeds list since they can also be stubborn — training an Afghan Hound is an exercise in patience.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is an Afghan Hound dog?

This dog breed is particularly attuned to its environment and the emotions of those around it. It can be easily overwhelmed by loud noises, new environments, and unfamiliar people or animals. This dog is best suited for individuals or families who are patient, gentle, and understanding of its sensitive nature. It may also benefit from a calm and stable home environment, with a consistent routine and plenty of positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Afghan Hound dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Afghan Hound do well in apartments? Are Afghan Hounds good indoor dogs?

Afghan Hounds are known for being excellent apartment dogs. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Child Friendly

Are Afghan Hounds good with kids? Are Afghan Hounds good around children?

Afghan Hounds are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Afghan Hounds good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Afghan Hounds good with cats? How friendly Afghan Hounds are toward cats?

Afghan Hounds are below average friendly toward cats. But with the right training and socialization, Afghan Hounds can be good with cats,

Dog Friendly

Do Afghan Hound dogs get along with other dogs? Are Afghan Hounds OK with other dogs?

Afghan Hounds are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Afghan Hound dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Afghan Hounds friendly with strangers?

Afghan Hounds are below average friendly around strangers. Keen of eye and sharp of tongue, most Afghan Hounds are very quick to announce strangers at the door. Once the visitor comes in, some Afghan Hounds will be friendly and outgoing. But many others have the standoffish or suspicious towards strangers.

Playfulness

Do Afghan Hounds like to play? Are Afghan Hounds playful?

Afghan Hounds have an average level of playfulness. The Afghan Hounds, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Afghan Hound easily trained?

Afghan Hound dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Apartment Friendly
    Afghan Hound are perfect pets for apartment living.
  • Hypoallergenic
    Due to their hypoallergenic properties, Afghan Hounds may be a safer option for those with allergies.
  • Distinctive appearance
    Afghan Hounds have a distinctive and elegant appearance, making them popular show dogs.
  • Maintain a healthy weight
    The Afghan Hound breed has a tendency towards maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Rarely barks
    This breed is known for being relatively silent, making it a good option if you're looking for a quieter dog.
  • Independent
    Afghan Hounds are independent dogs that are well suited for owners who are comfortable giving their dogs a lot of space.

Cons

  • Not cat-friendly
    Afghan Hounds do not possess the temperament to coexist peacefully with cats.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    Afghan Hounds may not be able to handle the distractions of an office.
  • High maintenance
    Afghan Hounds require a lot of grooming to maintain their long, silky coat.