Afghan Hound

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN - Afghanistan.

MOST SUITED AS - Hunter by sight of large and small wild game, also watchdog, racing dog, and companion.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is 68 - 74cm (26 1/2 - 29 1/2in) for dogs and 63 - 69cm (24 1/2 - 27 1/2in) for bitches.

COAT
The Afghan Hound has a very long, fine coat. The hair on the face is short. Any colour is accepted but the most common colours are red through to shades of beige, often with a darker mask.

CARE REQUIRED
The grooming of the coat of these dogs requi­res a full hour each time, twice a week. The best method is to comb each handful of hair from the skin outwards so that no tangles can be overlooked, but take care not to break the hairs. Keep the ear passages clean. Afghans should be bathed about every two months, using a good quality dog shampoo which does not dry the skin. Do not consider an Afghan Hound if you have no time or inte­rest in the careful grooming required.

CHARACTER
These are independent, proud, and noble dogs that are calm indoors but very active and quick as lightning out of doors. This intelligent animal is not slavishly compliant, and hey are brave, vigilant, though not noisy, and cautious with strangers.

TRAINING
These dogs are not suitable for inexperienced people. Their independent nature makes them difficult to train and they never will obey totally. They respond adversely if you hit or shout at them - this merely lowers their respect for you. The best way to achieve any­thing with them is to use a firm yet soft hand with them.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
The dogs can be rather dominant towards other males. They get along fine with children provided the dog is not pestered by them and is left alone in its own territory. They are probably better for a family with older children. An existing cat will be accepted but do not for­get that Afghan Hounds chase anything that runs quickly - it is in their blood.

EXERCISE
The Afghan Hound needs lots of exercise. Cycle with the dog every day to give it the chance to get rid of its energy, but do not forget their hunting instinct. Only allow an Afghan to run freely off the lead on land where it cannot run off or it probably will. The laborious task of grooming a show dog makes it impossible to combine showing these dogs with racing them.