{"id":1208,"date":"2020-06-19T12:36:48","date_gmt":"2020-06-19T12:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/dogs\/?p=1208"},"modified":"2022-02-04T10:58:47","modified_gmt":"2022-02-04T10:58:47","slug":"the-afghan-hound-the-tall-pooch-with-great-hair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/dogs\/hounds\/the-afghan-hound-the-tall-pooch-with-great-hair\/","title":{"rendered":"The Afghan Hound \u2013 The Tall Pooch With Great Hair"},"content":{"rendered":"

Afghan Hound<\/h3>
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Image: WildStrawberry\/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The Brief Overview<\/h3>\n
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 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Size<\/th>\nMedium \/ 23 - 27kg<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Grooming<\/th>\nHigh Maintenance<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Training<\/th>\nSlightly Challenging<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Exercise<\/th>\nDaily 1-2 hours<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Origins<\/th>\nAfghanistan<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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The Afgan Hound - The dog with the gorgeous hair and 100 names!<\/h3>\n
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Ok, we are exaggerating a little with the 100 names but the Afgan Hound does have a few including Tazi, Tazhi Spay, Da Kochyano Spay, Sage Balochi, Ogar Afgan, Barakzai Hound, Eastern Greyhound & Persian Greyhound. Phew, no wonder we were confused.<\/p>\n

Anyway, name confusion apart we have to say that for a large proportion of dog lovers this is one which should be on the shortlist, not only for its looks but for its gentle temperament (where its owners are concerned) and its home-loving nature. Despite their size, they can adapt pretty well to city living, are long-lived for bigger dogs, are fairly healthy and don't shed too much; which is surprising given the length of their coat. They do need a lot of exercise and grooming and love the outdoors, however, they are equally at home being loving family pets - if you have plenty of space that is and enjoy long walks.<\/p>\n

No dog is perfect and if you decide to own one then be prepared to spend a lot of your day on walks, play and grooming. Exercise is key as they will soon put on weight without it so if you are a bit of a couch potato then an Afghan is a no, no otherwise though they have a lot to offer and could be your dream dog!<\/p>\n

Read on and let's see if we can convince you further (one way or the other)...<\/p>\n

\"Afghan

Straight from the catwalk! Mind You it takes plenty of grooming to keep one looking like this.
Image: David Raihelgauz\/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Quick Overview<\/h3>\n

Name:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Afghan Hound or one of its alter ego names (not the <\/em>African Hound though as is occasionally used)<\/i><\/p>\n

Size:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 25-27 inches 64 to 69 cm<\/p>\n

Weight:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 50-60 lbs for a healthy weighted dog<\/p>\n

Grooming:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Extensive\u2026 like\u2026 every ten minutes - seriously it's a daily task<\/p>\n

Training:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Difficult unless you are a farmer in the Afghan mountains<\/p>\n

Exercise:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Being a Basal Breed requires a lot of exercise - daily as a minimum<\/p>\n

Temperament:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Dignified, almost regal not really a yapper or barker<\/p>\n

Origins:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Afghani Mountains<\/p>\n

Lifespan:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a012-15 years (good for a big dog)<\/p>\n

Colourwise they are usually tan, black, or cream. Other colours are known but are less common. They need lots of grooming so if that's not your thing or you don't want to pay someone to do it then this is not the dog for you!<\/p>\n

Tell me more...<\/h2>\n

Originally from Afghanistan, they were selectively bred there for generations as a working dog that could withstand the cold and rigour of life in the Afghani mountains. You might not think it from their slightly glamourous appearance, but they were fearless hunting dogs used to pursue and even take on Leopards. To this day they still have that hunting instinct which could be a problem if you have a pet big cat or more likely a normal one.<\/p>\n

They are easily recognisable by their long, silken fur which curls slightly at the end and this can make a good conversation starter when out and about. We have already mentioned the list of alter ego names above and we have found three more to add to the list Kabul Hound, the Shalgar Hound, and the Galanday Hound.<\/p>\n

The Afghan is a Basal<\/a> dog breed, which means it has been used by humans since before we started writing things down, in order to perform tasks and make our lives easier. In a nutshell, it\u2019s a working dog used to a full day of activity\u2026 although you would never think it by the hair. This is why exercise and play are so important, when you were bred to fight Leopards then activity-wise a short stroll around the block and chucking a ball a couple of times is not going to cut it. They will put weight on quickly and become unhealthy if their exercise needs are not met.<\/p>\n

We know where they were bred, and we know why \u2013 to help mountain farmers survive \u2013 but we don\u2019t know when the breed first appeared. Although a more recent addition the Afghan is becoming very popular in the USA\u00a0according to the American Kennel Club<\/a> and first appeared in Britain around the 1800s. Asides from a supposed origin in Afghanistan, there isn\u2019t much known about the early genetics of this breed. You can read about the Afghan Hound at the UK Kennel Club<\/a> website if you need more information.<\/p>\n

Afghan Hound Facts!<\/h2>\n

Although this is an entirely serious article, you can never be too serious about a dog breed that looks like they should all be named Sharon (which would cure the confusion). The Afghan has been selectively bred for the lush hairstyles we know and love, but there are plenty of other interesting things about them. Here are the Five Minutes Spare favourite facts about Sharon<\/span> the Afghan Hound:<\/p>\n