|
Check out our
suggested books
for dog owners
|
|
Hound breeds: Afghan
Origin
There is little known about the Afghan Hound's history prior to 1800. The first known verified proof of the dog as it is known today was a drawing from 1809 and published in 1813. The makeup of the breed is unknown. The Afghan, like so many other breeds today, is representative of a blending of many different types. There are actually at least six or more different types in Afghanistan, dependent on the area in which they are found. Even the use of the dog in its native country is based on where it is, some being used for herding and some for guard duty as well as hunting.
The Afghan Hound is a sight hound, or coursing hound. He hunts in a different style than the scent hounds. Usually accompanying hunters on horseback, the Afghan often outdistanced the horses, and therefore learned to hunt on their own without direction from the master. This has imbued the dog with an independence of thought and spirit still apparent in today's Afghan. They were used to hunt virtually anything and everything available. They were equally proficient at hunting mountain deer, plains antelope, hare, wolves, jackals, wild dogs, snow leopards and even quail and partridge. Their agility and stamina, more than their speed, aids them in hunting over any terrain swiftly.
The first Afghans found in the Western world were brought to England in the latter 19th century by British soldiers returning from the Indian-Afghanistan wars. The earliest Afghans reached America prior to World War I. It is unlikely that any of those dogs survived the war. The next imports came in a group of dogs of the desert type, brought to Scotland in 1920, and then a group of mountain type dogs brought to England in 1925. The American Kennel Club studbook was opened to Afghans in 1926. The first American born Afghan Hounds were registered in 1927. The true start of the breed in the United States as it is known today, dates back to 1931 with a dog and bitch imported by Zeppo Marx and his wife. They were acquired by Pride's Hill kennels in Massachusetts, and along with another bitch import of their own, became the cornerstone of the Afghan breed in the United States. Most of the breeders of the '30s bred into the Pride's Hill stock with their own imports. Afghanistan now forbids the export of this dog.
The Afghan Club of America was not formed until 1940, and was then admitted to AKC membership. The first American standard for the Afghan was finally written and approved in 1948.
General description
Height: 25-27 inches
Weight: 50-60 pounds
Color: All colors are permissible, but white markings on the head are not desirable.
Grooming requirements
The Afghan is one of the most grooming-intensive breeds. Their long silky coat requires hours of brushing daily. Their soft silky hair flows graciously when cared for properly. If they are not cared for properly, they can get matted to the skin and have serious skin problems. You will need a slicker brush and a metal comb to properly groom this breed. You must separate the coat into sections, lifting as you go to brush all the way down to the skin. After brushing the entire body from top to tail, you then need to comb through it completely to ensure there is no matting. They also require regular ear cleaning and nail trimming. Professional grooming of this dog is quite expensive due to the time it takes to comb out this breed. If you do not wish to brush this dog, and cannot afford to have them groomed monthly, then this may not be the breed for you. An average groom for a well maintained Afghan is approximately $80.
Health considerations
The Afghan has a tendency for elbow dysplasia and is one of many breeds that may have autoimmune problems.
This breed has a tendency towards anesthetic idiosyncrasies. This is a condition where an individual has an abnormal response to commonly used anesthetics. There is no good way to predict this and care should be taken if anesthesia is necessary.
Breed characteristics and personality
This is an independent dog with a highly individual personality. The Afghan absolutely requires a fenced yard, as he is a big runner. The Afghan requires long, unrestrained runs daily. He can live inside the house or outside or in a kennel. He does not have a high tolerance for children. He may have a problem with house soiling. He can be a very stubborn dog and may be a picky eater. As the Afghan has a high prey drive, he does not get along well with other small animals and may be dog aggressive also. He is not one of the most intelligent breeds when it comes to training. Training must be done very gently to be successful.
Courageous, indomitable, sweet, sensitive, very intelligent, dignified but not indifferent. He is aloof but gay and must never be sharp or shy. He's suspicious but not hostile to strangers. He is of a gentle spirit that must be trained kindly.
The Afghan is not a dog for everyone. Where the combination is right, the Afghan makes a wonderful companion and pet.
Uses
In his native country, the Afghan was an outstanding hunter of all game, as well as a shepherd. Today, because of his extraordinary beauty, he is almost exclusively a luxury dog and companion for the home. Currently, he is also being used in lure coursing.
Web links:
AKC Afghan Hound page
Afghan Breed Club of America
The Afghan Database
| |
|
