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Afghan hound

The Afghan Hound is an ancient sighthound from the mountains of Afghanistan, where its long silky coat protected it in cold high country while it coursed hare and gazelle over rough ground.

It stands 61 to 74 centimetres, weighs 23 to 27 kilograms and lives twelve to fourteen years. The coat is the breed's signature and its principal cost — a full Afghan coat needs several hours of grooming a week, and mats form rapidly if it is neglected. Temperament is genuinely aloof: Afghans are dignified, independent, often comic in private and famously indifferent to commands, and their reputation for being untrainable is better understood as a reputation for being unimpressed.

Origin
Afghanistan; an ancient coursing sighthound
Size
61–74 cm; 23–27 kg
Lifespan
12–14 years
Coat
Long and silky; several hours of grooming a week
Temperament
Aloof, dignified, independent; poor recall
Health
Anaesthesia sensitivity, juvenile cataracts, hip dysplasia

Related: American leopard hound · Basset hound · Bavarian mountain scent hound · Ibizan hound

3 afghan hound photos, newest first

Afghan hound feed
  • Saffron, a afghan hound

    Saffron

    Saffron runs the tideline every evening and knows exactly what the low sun does to her hair.

    FrostyOtter · 6 days ago

  • Barnaby II, a afghan hound

    Barnaby II

    Barnaby II was promoted to detective examining one suspicious biscuit; unfortunately, dozens of ping-pong balls escape at once.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Barnaby II, a afghan hound

    Barnaby II

    I have never once won a staring contest with Barnaby II.

    MerryBadger · 2 weeks ago

Living with a afghan hound

Budget real time for the coat. Several hours a week of line brushing, plus regular bathing, and mats that reach the skin need cutting out. Owners who cannot commit to this end up clipping the dog off, which many find defeats the purpose.

Recall is unreliable. A sighthound that sees something running is gone, and Afghans are fast enough to be out of sight in seconds. Secure fencing and long lines.

Tell any vet the dog is a sighthound before anaesthesia — low body fat changes how some drugs are metabolised.

They are sensitive and do not respond to harsh handling; training works through patience and interest, not repetition.

Ask about juvenile cataracts and hip scores.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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