Afghan Hound

Origin

An ancient member of the greyhound family, the Afghan was believed to have been brought from Arabia and Persia to Afghanistan where the breed’s long coat developed in response to the harsh climate. It was there on the border between Afghanistan and India that the breed attracted the attention of British soldiers in the latter part of the 19th century. As a result, some were brought back to Britain and were first exhibited in a show in 1907 as “Oriental Greyhounds.”

Temperament

As befitting its aristocratic appearance, the Afghan is aloof and dignified but good-humoured.

Activity Level

Bred to course game such as the swift gazelle, the Afghan is an athlete that requires lots of outdoor exercise.

Height/Weight

Dogs stand about 27 in (69 cm) at the shoulder and carry around 60 lb (27 kg) on their lean, active frames.

Coat

The fine, silky, long and flowing coat is the Afghan’s crowning glory. It is topped with a natural, short-coated saddle running from in front of the shoulders down the length of the back. The head is crowned by an impressive topknot that frames the smooth-coated face. The picture is completed by a lightly feathered tail carried in a ring at the end.

Colour

All colours are permissible but white markings are considered undesirable.

Grooming

Ouch! That glamorous coat won’t stay beautiful on its own. It requires frequent bathing, and brushing on a regular basis, to maintain its pristine condition.