Afghan Hounds

Courtesy of
A Belgian Home Page of The Afghan Hound

Afghan Hounds are an ancient breed whose origin is not completely clear. It is believed that the breed originated in the Middle East. The dogs might have appeared in Afghanistan when accompanying caravans made their way via Arabia and Persia. There is an opinion that they have been bred in Afghanistan for as long as four thousand years.

Some people suggest that the breed was first bred in Northern India, which is now Pakistan. The nomads called them "white greyhounds." The main use was hunting the gazelle, wolf, snow leopard, argali, fox, and hare. The breed was well equipped for hunting in semi-deserts and mountainous areas.

The Afghan Hound appeared in Great Britain at the end of the 19th century. There was a considerable confusion of what the breed should look like. The dogs were different in appearance. There were two types of Afghan Hounds. The first one, the Bell Murray type, appeared to be larger and had a sparse coat. The Ghazni Afghan Hound was a reverse replica of the Bell Murray type. In the 1930s, large-sized dogs with rich coat came into fashion. Thus, the two types were melted, which resulted in the production of the modern Afghan Hound type.

Afghan Hounds - Temperament

The Afghan Hound is a free spirit. It has excellent sight, hearing, and sense of smell. What distinguishes the breed from other dogs is its vehemence, absolute readiness to act whenever needed, good reflexes, and recalcitrance. It is said to be slightly hard to train due to its independent personality. The dog is often referred to as the aristocrat of the canine world. The dog is labeled so because of its luxurious coat and dignity. The Afghan Hound appears to be rather aloof.

Courtesy of
A Belgian Home Page of The Afghan Hound

Afghan Hounds - Physical Characteristics

The breed's appearance is the evidence of its eastern origins. It has a long silky coat that comes in a variety of colors. All colors are permissible except spots. The markings on the heads are considered a minor fault. The most common color patterns of the Afghan Hound are black and tan, red, black, and others. Domino is considered an unusual color in Afghans. Domino-colored dogs have a lighter muzzle in comparison with the rest of the body. Yet, the color is dark in the eyes area producing the impression of a reversed mask.

According to the AKC breed standard the Afghan Hound should reach the height of about 26-28 inches. Females are usually smaller than males. The weight ranges from 50 to 60 pounds. The gait is light and seems to show the dog's royal disposition. The head is carried high, as is the tail.

The head is refined, with a long muzzle. The ears are long and well feathered. The almond-shaped eyes are usually dark in color. The head sits on a long neck. The long tail is set on high and is slightly curved. Overall, Afghan Hounds should conform to the image of a beautiful dog, yet capable of showing its working abilities.