Dog Breeds: Afghan Hound

The Afghan Hound is also known as the Baluchi Hound, Sage Baluchi, Tazi, Afghanischer Windhung, Levrier Afghan, or Lebrel Afgano. This dog is a sighthound and is generally considered to be an aristocratic dog. They are tall and slender with a narrow head, silky topknot, and powerful jaws. The back of the head and skull is quite prominent and the muzzle is slightly convex. The nose is always black and the dark eyes are almond shaped. The ears should lie flat against the head. The front legs should be strong and straight, ending in large feet which are covered in long hair. The beautiful tail has a curl or even a ring at the tip, but the tail is never carried over the back. The coat is long, rich, and silky and is usually a sandy color with darker face and ear fringes. All colors are permitted in the show ring, but white marking are strongly discouraged.

Standing 27 to 29 inches high at the shoulders, the Afghan Hound typically weighs anywhere from 50 to 64 pounds. The dog looks as if it should weigh more, but the body has a slight build which can be deceiving. Their coats protect them against extreme temperatures, but they still should not be left outside for long periods of time.

The Afghan is courageous, sweet, loyal, affectionate, sensitive, dignified, and very spirited. They have a low dominance level and can be somewhat aloof, but they socialize well so this tendency can be easily corrected. They tend to be suspicious of anyone they do not know, but they are not usually hostile. These dogs need guidance and a firm hand during training, go give clear guidelines when beginning your training program. Not recommended for younger children, Afghans do well with older children who can establish a leadership role. Afghan hounds can be difficult to housebreak and can become timid and high strung without proper training.

These dogs are generally healthy but are not suitable for apartment living. Afghan Hounds require long walks and plenty of space to exercise, so make sure you are providing for your dog's physical needs. While these dogs love to be outside, your Afghan should always sleep in the house.

This elegant dog is very ancient indeed. It is native to Sinai and mentioned several times in Egyptian papyruses. They are also pictured in the caves of northern Afghanistan and it is possible that these paintings are more than 4000 years old. The dog only appeared in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, mostly because of a ban on the exportation of these lovely beasts. Once they did reach Europe, their popularlity exploded. As a sighthound, which means it hunts by scent, the Afghan was uniquely suited to hunting deer, wild goats, wolves, and even snow leopards. They were also used for tracking, herding, racing, and were put in place as watchdogs.

Today, the Afghan Hound has become a luxury pet and a show dog. They are not considered the most intelligent of dogs, but they more than make up for that in drive and personality. This dog can be registered with most associations around the world and is considered one of the purest dog breeds.