A member of the Hound group, The Afghan Hound is an
aristocrat. This is a very ancient dog and his whole appearance is one of dignity, nobility, athleticism and aloofness.
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.
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.
Watch a short video about the Afghan
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.
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.
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