The Afghan originated in an area along the Afghan border with Iran known as Seistan. Obviously from the same stock as the other Middle East gazehounds, the Afghan changed to better do its job- coursing gazelle and leopard in the cold, mountainous terrain of Afghanistan. Its primary difference from the other coursing dogs is its long coat, which was developed to insulate the dog from the cold and protect it from scrapes as it hunted on rocky slopes.

English soldiers returning home from the Afghan war brought these beautiful dogs home with them at the turn of the twentieth century. The first Afghans were registered in the American stud book in 1927.

BODY TYPE:

An exotic appearing coursing dog of great athletic ability. The slim, muscular body is wrapped in a long glamorous coat.
Height: 25-29 inches (at shoulder)
Weight: 50-60 pounds
Hanging ears are not altered
Long tapering tail, curled at tip is not altered.
Hipbones are very prominent
A "mandarin" beard is desired in both male and female Afghans.

PERSONALITY:

Alert and aloof
Ignores strangers as if they are

COAT:

Long and silky , the single coat tangles easily.
The high-stepping gait of the Afghan is springy and the coat appears to flow out behind it.
Very high grooming maintenance.

TIPS:

Unusual in hunting dogs, Afghans have a low tolerance to pain - and they will let you know it.
Very high strung and will become hyperactive if not exercised regularly.
One of the first Afghans imported to the US belonged to Zeppo Marx of Marx Brothers fame.

HEALTH CONCERNS:

Like most of the greyhound family the Afghan has a sensitivity to anesthetics. Can be life-threatening
Allergic to the chemicals on flea collars, and in powders and sprays for fleas and ticks.
Genetic cataracts are known in the breed
A progressive paralytic disease is unique to the breed.
A tendency to give up fighting an illness; Afghans often just curl up and wait to die.

For more information:
Afghan Hound
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