Afghan Hound - Purebred Dogs and Puppies

A member of the AKC Hound group, The Afghan Hound is an

aristocratic breed of dog.

Often referred to as the "Dog of Noah's Ark", the Afghan is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, dog breed in existence.

Their long coats allow them to easily stay warm in the harsher climates of Afghanistan.

Their coat color may be silver, cream, black, brindle, black-and-tan, or a combination of shades.

This is a very ancient dog and his whole appearance is one of dignity, nobility, athleticism and aloofness. They have been used in the past as a herding dog, a guard dog, and also as a hunting dog.

They may appear aloof and particularly standoffish with strangers and are relatively independent as well. A sight hound by nature, they are an extremely fast and agile runner and should never be let off lead in an unsecured area.

Watch a short video about the Afghan Hound

They need room to run in a fenced area under supervision on a daily basis and daily walks for exercise even though they are relatively inactive indoors. Due to their extreme speed, Afghans are frequent participants in lure coursing events.

They are covered with a thick coat of long silky hair that requires hours of grooming each week to maintain its beautiful appearance but overall it is an average shedder.

They possess an athletic body that is extremely capable of supple and agile movement - they can turn on a dime. However, he also needs plenty of exercise and free running to keep him in top shape.

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Typically, the Afghan Hound stands about 25 to 27 inches in height at the shoulder and weighs between 50 to 60 pounds. One thing to definitely keep in mind is that because of his hunting nature, this dog breed can also be very dog-aggressive and also has a very high prey drive toward smaller animals which may be perceived as prey.

The striking characteristics of the breed, an exotic, or "Eastern," expression, long silky topknot, peculiar coat pattern, very prominent hipbones, large feet - stand out clearly, giving the Afghan the appearance of being a king of dogs. Their feet and ears are feathered as well.

A hunter by nature, this dog breed does need a pretty big place for him to be able to run free and is therefore not suitable for apartment living. Keep in mind, you'll need to have a securely fenced in area as well to keep your Afghan Hound safe. They can be very laid-back at home, happily curling up on a sofa snoozing the day away when given the opportunity.

Country of origin: Native to Sinai and Afghanistan
Lifespan: 11-14 years
Colors: All colors are permitted but white markings are discouraged
Known health problems: Generally healthy
Famous Afghans: Snuppy, the first cloned dog in history; Rita, in Disney's animated movie Oliver & Company

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