Afghan Hound

If you are looking for a dog with speed and agility, Afghan hound is the name! The history of this amazing dog dates back to 1926. Its coat is colored brown, golden brown and sometimes black. The kings of Afghanistan kept a breed for hunting! This specie finds its way to England and found in the archives of India 1809 and the accounts are eventually found in England by 1813.

Most Afghan hounds are guard dogs and hunting dogs. The dog's long haired coat is to protect it from the harsh and cold weather of Afghanistan. Afghan hounds have black spotless facial mask, and its height can be from 24 - 29 inches, weighing 60 pounds at the maximum.

Afghan hounds have different coat colors; it can be snowy white, reddish brown, maroon or black. It has a regal effect on the dog, as it runs along like a running royalty pet. It is free spirited, and has an excellent sight, smell and hearing. It's a dog useful for hunting and guarding as it is recalcitrant, vehement and its readiness to act whenever necessary. Although trainers find it challenging in training Afghan dogs, especially when they are older, unlike when they are Afghan puppies.

Afghan hounds hip bones are high and on its tail you can see a ring. Typical of a pure breed Afghan hounds. Small spots at the forehead or even a multicolored coat are discouraged as it can be a sign of an impure breed.

There are two types of breeding, the Bell - Murray Breed (strain), the breed is locally known as kalagh, and their coat is slightly finer and less heavy as compared to Ghazni strain; as it is heavily coated. Most Ghazni's are heavily coated since they came from the uplands.

In France, they decided to have a cross breed of the two, and had it documented, and is now included as an accepted breed since 1948.

Most Afghan dogs are very popular in dog shows since the 1970's, their original task of hunting was relegated to the past, but it will be always written in their history.

Health, Lifespan And Lineage

The life expectance of Afghan hounds are 11-13 years. Afghan hounds are commonly afflicted with allergies and cancers, and is a common cause of death among the breed. They are highly allergic and most times cannot tolerate anesthesia because of their body composition of having small amount of fats to protect them from the side effects of the medicine.

Generally Afghan hounds came from Afghanistan then later on earlier breeds are found in Persia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, but as its popularity started off in India throughout England, most Afghan dogs are already all over the world.

Another health problem of an Afghan hound has this peculiarity of having a leak in their thorax; and quantities of chyle fluid enters the chest then attacking the lungs, twisting it, and can be fatal, only a surgery can save an Afghan dog. This unusual chemical poisoning phenomena is called chylothorax and will end up with fibrosing pleuritis, when the organs start hardening if not treated with immediate surgery.

Quick Facts

Alias:	Tazi, Baluchi Hound	Size:	Large
Training:	Low	Grooming:	Medium/High
Shedding:	Medium/High	Exercise:	A walk and a run-about daily
Energy:	Low	Protection:	Will bark to raise alarm