Afghan Hound
OVERVIEW OF THE AFGHAN HOUND
From making the cover of Life Magazine to earning a place in the Dreamhouse as Barbie’s pet dog, Beauty, the Afghan Hound has spent a rich history that can only be described as aristocratic. This regality is on full display when we consider the Afghan’s outlook.
Thick, silky hair falls throughout its well-cut and lean physique. The head which is held high boasts a set of almond-shaped, dark eyes that have seen more than 2,000 years worth of history. This makes the Afghan Hound one of the oldest dog breeds in the world.
Hailing from the mountains of Afghanistan, this elegant dog breed was primarily bred to assist with hunting. Their long and muscled legs helped them clock speeds that could outpace their owners on horseback. The dog’s courage, on the other hand, proved to be an asset when it came to holding large prey, like boar and leopards, at bay while the Afghan tribesmen caught up with the dog.
Evolution is the Afghan Hound’s best friend. You see, the dog’s thick coat isn’t just for show as it helped keep the Kabul Hound warm during the harsh winters. A similar harshness is found in Afghanistan’s terrain. So, to beat that, the Hound has large paw pads that act as shock absorbers.
The Afghans led a rather secluded life up until the British colonized Afghanistan and parts of Persia. Stunned by its gorgeous beauty and elegant demeanor, many British officers brought the breed back home after the completion of their assignments in British India. Once in Europe, this breed was primarily used as show dogs and as domesticated pets.
Even today, the Afghan Hounds are prized for their charm and loyalty. Yet, they’re not very popular as pets. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, the Afghan Hound is quite a large breed. Standing at 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder, depending on gender, this breed requires a large home with a fenced yard to comfortably live in.
Secondly, the Afghan Hound isn’t exactly easy to train. In fact, it is often ranked as the most difficult dog to train. This might be because of their highly independent mind. You see, the Afghan was bred to hunt independently and often went for days without interacting with humans.
This breed can also not be motivated by food which makes positive reinforcement-based training hard. You’ll have to match its stubbornness with consistency and use mental stimulation and praise to positively reinforce desirable actions.
The Afghan’s low trainability may also be because of its aloof nature. This breed has high self-esteem and will often completely ignore humans. This can be extremely off-putting for individuals who have previously had an attention-craving doggo, like a Golden Retriever.
But this doesn’t in any way mean the Afghan Hound doesn’t bond well with humans. No, sir! Once it has registered you as its alpha human, this pooch will shower you with love and devotion. They’re not exactly protective, though. Also, their bark isn’t that vicious, so Afghan Hounds don’t exactly make great watchdogs.
AFGHAN HOUND FOOD AND HEALTH
Weighing about 50 to 60 pounds, the Afghan Hound isn’t exactly a heavy breed. This is partly because this breed belongs to the Sighthound dog type, which means it has low body fat. On the flip side, a low fat count also means the Hound is sensitive to anesthesia.
Most of the Afghan’s weight comes from all that muscle in the back legs and chest area. This combined with the high activity levels of this dog means you’ll have to feed your Kabul Hound a protein and fat-rich diet.
So, you’ve got two options here. You can either cook home meals or opt for commercially-manufactured kibble. The Honest Kitchen Dog Food is a commercial kibble worth checking out. It contains plenty of chicken-sourced protein that has been dehydrated for easy ingestion.
Regardless of the option you go for, make sure you keep your vet in the loop. This will not only ensure your dog’s diet contains all the necessary macros according to their age and lifestyle but also prevent any potential allergens from getting into their daily intake.
Speaking of allergens, Afghan Hounds are quite prone to allergies. Although these allergies can be caused by contact and airborne particles too, it’s mostly caused by the food your woofer eats.
Allergy symptoms in your dog can range from mild itching and redness to sneezing and hair loss. If you notice any allergy symptoms in your Afghan Hound, try switching their diet. But if the symptoms persist, or worsen, be sure to book an appointment with the vet.
Other than allergies, Afghan Hounds are also predisposed to a few medical conditions. Primary among them is cancer. If you notice bumps on your doggo’s body that are swelling abnormally, consider getting them checked for tumors. Cancer symptoms also include difficulty breathing and blood from the ears, nose, mouth, and anus. Similar to human cancer, cancer in dogs can be treated by medications, surgery, and chemotherapy.
Afghan Hounds are also at risk of hip dysplasia. This is a condition where the dog’s hip joint gets loosened. This causes pain when they walk. Other than pain, hip dysplasia can also lead to arthritis and permanent lameness if not treated.
While this bone disorder is usually hereditary, it may also be caused by obesity. So, be sure to keep your Hound’s weight and calorie counts in check. To prevent any inherited diseases, you should ask your breeder to show the required health clearances before you get the dog.
LEASHES AND COLLARS FOR YOUR AFGHAN HOUND
Being a sighthound, the Afghan’s eyes are extremely sensitive to movement. This means sudden movements by small children or animals can throw the dog into a chasing frenzy. Similarly, your Afghan Hound can easily get distracted by airborne creatures, like butterflies and birds. So, unless you’re planning to chase after your faster-than-a-horse dog, keep it leashed when going out.
The exact length of this leash will depend on your Afghan’s temperament. Generally, you should opt for a shorter leash if your dog is aggressive and tends to pull. If you ask us, a six-inch leash will be more than ideal for an Afghan Hound.
Make sure it is made from durable nylon that can resist a strong tug and is comfortable to hold. If you’re in the market for such a dog leash, check out this option from TAIDA. It comes in various colors and thicknesses, so you are sure to find something that matches your dog’s strength and personality.
Speaking of your dog’s personality, you should also invest in a nice collar for them. The design and color of the collar will help you make fashion statements for your puppy and craft a unique persona for them.
Always remember that a dog’s collar should only be used for identification and style purposes. You must never attach the leash to this collar since it can cause neck strain for your pooch. Your dog’s collar should also fit correctly. So, if it makes their fur matt, go a size up.
Since you won’t be attaching your Afghan’s leash to its collar, you must get a dog harness. This vest-like equipment distributes the force throughout your doggo’s body. A harness also comes with handles that can help you drag or lift your pooch.
BEST CRATES, BEDS, AND DOG HOUSES FOR AFGHAN HOUNDS
A dog crate serves two purposes. It provides a safe space for your pooch to retreat to after a long day full of doggy troubles. This cage also serves as confinement for training and when there’s no one to supervise the canine.
Most trainers recommend crate-training Afghan Hounds due to their tendency to not respond well to training cues. Just make sure you don’t present this crate as a prison to your dog. Throw in a couple of treats and toys inside to make the place more welcoming.
If you’re in the market for a new crate for your Afghan Hound make sure it is large enough to accommodate their massive size. A 54-inch dog crate, like the one from Midwest, will be more than ideal for most Afghans.
Always remember that a crate should be big enough for your dog to completely turn around in. Yet, it shouldn’t be too spacious since that would kill the entire ‘confinement purpose’ of the place.
Other than a crate you should also get a high-quality bed for your Afghan Hound. This will ensure your pooch gets an adequate amount of rest so it is all ready to conquer the next day.
Ideally, you should get something with an orthopedic foam as this ensures your dog gets the right kind of support. Adequate support won’t put any stress on your dog’s muscles and bones which means it’ll grow up to be a healthy doggo. Also, this goes without saying but your Afghan’s bed should also be big enough to accommodate its hunky size.
If you’re looking for a large orthopedic dog bed for your Afghan Hound, check out this option from BarksBar. Soft and cushy on the outside and supportive on the inside, this orthopedic dog bed is super easy to clean which is great news for parents whose furry friend usually gets into accidents overnight.
While Afghan Hounds don’t really do great when alone, you can build them a dog house. Just make sure you don’t leave them inside for long. You must also make sure this dog house is built in a yard with large fences since this breed is an amazing escape artist.
AFGHAN HOUND TOYS
Speaking of fences, if you’re planning to remove the leash on your Afghan Hound during yard play, make sure the area has large fences. Yard games like tug, fetch, and even running will be more than ideal for physically stimulating Afghan Hounds.
The Tether Tug is a great yard toy for dogs that can offer hours of playtime. You simply need to stick it into the ground and then your dog can tug at it from all sides to its heart’s content. Also, since this toy is completely self-play it’ll mentally stimulate your Afghan.
GROOMING INSIGHTS FOR AFGHAN HOUND OWNERS
The majestic coat of the Afghan Hound needs the kind of grooming that is just as grandiose. This is why many owners of this breed prefer hiring a professional groomer to keep the coat in tip-top shape.
But a groomer is not at all necessary, provided you’re willing to give the time and learn how to groom this amazing dog. You see, the fine nature of the coat means it can get tangled easily. Also, it is a dust magnet. Breaking the tangles and removing any dirt requires extensive brushing, preferably every day.
Other than brushing, you must also bathe your Afghan regularly to maintain the shine of its coat. Be sure to check your dog’s shampoo and conditioner for any potential allergens before preparing the bathing tub.
When grooming your doggo, make sure you check its ears for any infections or wax build-ups. Redness in the ear region or the buildup of smell can indicate an ear infection in your Afghan. Simply wipe the ear canal with a cotton ball that has been dipped in a cleanser. The best way to find the correct dog ear cleaner is to consult your vet.
Finally, you must also regularly trim your Kabul Hound’s nails and brush their teeth to prevent any buildup of plaque.
AFGHAN HOUND ACCESSORIES
Houdini’s got nothing on Afghan Hounds when it comes to crafting the most sophisticated escape acts. All this dog needs is a slightly opened front door to bolt out. And you shouldn’t bother with an underground electronic fence either since the slight jolt from this fence will not stop this dog from running into the wild.
This is why you should invest in a dog GPS tracker. These devices inform you when your dog leaves a virtual fence. They also transmit the live location of your four-legged friend so you can easily rescue them. Simply pop this tracker on your Afghan’s collar for added protection.
Other than that, you should also consider getting your Afghan hound an elevated feeding bowl. This will ensure your pooch doesn’t have to bend during mealtime since exposure to the ground can leave your Afghan’s coat all dirty. More work for you. The SPOT Hi-rise Single Elevated Dog Bowl is an option worth checking out in this regard.