Afghan Hound
● Key Characteristics Of Afghan Hounds
● How Can I Take Good Care Of A Afghan Hound Puppy?
● Most Asked Afghan Hound Questions
● Similar Dog Breeds
An ancient member of the sighthound family, Afghan Hounds have such striking features that set them apart in the canine world. Their long, silky, flowing hair and prominent hips give them an elegant, regal look.
● Key Characteristics Of Afghan Hounds
● How Can I Take Good Care Of A Afghan Hound Puppy?
● Most Asked Afghan Hound Questions
● Similar Dog Breeds
An ancient member of the sighthound family, Afghan Hounds have such striking features that set them apart in the canine world. Their long, silky, flowing hair and prominent hips give them an elegant, regal look.
Afghan Hounds are an ancient breed. Unfortunately, Afghanistan’s prohibited the display of animals in the form of art. Therefore, there aren’t any early pictorial records of this breed.
The only drawing that exists is an 1813 sketch of a native soldier with his dog. The dog in the picture closely resembles the Afghan we see today. It’s also believed that these dogs were bred in some parts of Pakistan and Northern India.
In ancient times, Afghan Hounds were bred primarily for their hunting skills. They were used to bring down small and big game alike.
These dogs made their way to England with the help of British soldiers who frequently travelled to and from the Middle East.
Afghans were officially recognised as a breed in the 19th century. Currently, these dogs serve as house pets and show dogs.
| Are Cavoodles Family-Friendly? | These dogs get on well with their owners. But because of their small size, they are better suited for families with older kids as toddlers can be a bit rough. |
| Daily Exercise Needs? | A short walk for half an hour or so is enough. As cavoodles are playful, they burn off energy throughout the day. They do so by playing with a range of toys, which keep them mentally stimulated. |
| Common Health Issues & Considerations | Cavoodles may suffer from: ● Syringomyelia- a condition where their skulls turn out to be too small for their brains. ● Mitral Valve Disease- it’s a condition that affects the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. ● Cataracts- it’s characterized by the formation of a cloudy membrane over your dog’s eye. |
| Lifespan | 10 to 14 years |
| Nature / Temperament | Cavoodles are a gentle and sweet-natured dog breed. They are lively and friendly dogs that are very sociable. This is not surprising since both of their parents have these traits. Even though they look like teddy bears, these dogs are intelligent as they are trainable. |
| Size | Weight: Both males and females weigh between 5 and 12 kg Height: 30 to 35 cm |
| Suitable Environment | This is mainly an indoor dog. Its small size makes it perfect for an apartment. Plus, it does not create a mess at home. Although it has a curious nature, the Cavoodle likes observing its surrounding silently. |
| Grooming | They are non-shedding to low shedding dogs. But even though they don’t shed that much, their fur still needs regular grooming. It’s a good idea to brush their coat on a weekly basis to prevent it from getting tangled. |
● They are almost as fast as racehorses. They reach speeds up to 60km per hour.
● They are very agile. They have a unique hip placement, which enables them to make quick turns. Their hips are higher and wider apart.
● Their long, flowing hair keeps them warm in harsh climates.
● Owners ought to be gentle with them. These dogs don’t have a lot of tolerance to pain.
● They should be kept on a tight-leash, as they will chase after things that fascinate them.
Nutrition
Afghan Hounds thrive on high-quality, protein-rich dog foods. They need about approximately 2 – 2.5 cups of dry food, which should be split between two meals.
Depending on the age and weight of your Afghan, you can reduce or increase this amount.
Grooming
The beauty of the Afghan Hounds doesn’t come easy. Owners have to put in a lot of effort in grooming. They need regular brushing and baths.
You have two options when it comes to your Afghan’s grooming. You can hire a professional groomer, or you can spend several hours bonding with your pup as you give them a bath or brush their hair. But for their gorgeous looks, these dogs are worth the effort!
Recommended Grooming Tips:
● Avoid brushing their hair when it’s dry or dirty as this could damage it.
● Trim the hair on their foot pads to ensure they have good traction.
● Trim long nails.
● Check their ears regularly for signs of infection.
● Ensure your dog has proper dental hygiene.
Exercise
Afghan hounds should be taken out for exercises on a daily basis. You can take your dog for a walk or a run. Better yet, you can engage them in activities that use their hunting drive such as lure coursing.
Training
Truth be told, training an Afghan Hound is not the easiest job. Like most sighthound dogs, the Afghan Hounds have a mind of their own. They have their own ideas on how they want to spend time.
The secret to successful training is being gentle and patient with your Afghan. If you force them to do what they don’t want, you’ll be in for a struggle. A better idea would be to encourage and reward them for good behaviour. You should also be persistent in your training.
Afghans are part of the sighthound family. Sighthounds are a group of dogs that hunt primarily by sight as opposed to scent.
The greyhound is the oldest breed in the sighthound family. But the Afghan and Saluki do not fall that far behind. Afghans are so ancient that people believe this breed to be the one that was rescued on Noah’s Ark.
They certainly can be. Afghans have a lot of hair, which requires frequent grooming. Whenever possible, they should be given weekly baths and brush-outs.
It depends on the individual dog. Some are very courageous while others are downright shy. It’s important that these dogs get ample socialisation. Failure to do this may result in mischievous behaviour if left alone.
Afghans are an unusual breed. For one, these dogs use their intelligence to access areas their owners want to keep them out of. Secondly, these dogs tend to sleep when they find themselves in stressful situations.
The price of Afghan Hounds for sale varies widely and can cost between $1000 and $5000.
This is general information and should not be relied on as adoption or purchasing advice.