Afghan Hound Puppy

An Afghan Hound puppy may not be right for you, if you are not experienced in this breed and cannot provide it with adequate living conditions. Afghan Hounds are large and active dogs. Though being very dignified and quiet, they cannot live indoors, but need a large safely fenced yard to run and play. These dogs are happy in the country, especially when they have a task to do: hunting, herding or guarding the property. Short walks only cannot burn off the excessive energy of the Afghan Hound and these dogs are likely to become bored and develop behavior problems.

Afghan Hounds form close bonds with the family and often have problems when they have to adapt to a new owner and a new house. That’s why it’s recommended to obtain an Afghan Hound puppy, but not an adult dog. In this case, the owner has to spend much time with the puppy to socialize, housebreak and train it, but the Afghan Hound puppy will grow up into a reliable and devoted pet. Adopting an Afghan Hound from a rescue is a noble deed and the dog will be grateful to you till the end of its life. Many Afghan Hounds have problems with housebreaking and training. It happens not because they don’t understand what the owner wants, but because of their independent and stubborn nature. Afghan Hounds are generally aloof with strangers and dignified in the show ring.

Purchasing an Afghan Hound puppy because of the elegant and refined appearance of these dogs is absolutely wrong. When buying a puppy, you are buying a potential. There is no guarantee that your Afghan Hound puppy will become an excellent representative of the breed, unless it comes from the champion bloodline. This breed is not the easiest one to own for a novice owner. Even if you are not going to show your Afghan Hound, it has to be regularly groomed and exercised. Low tolerance to pain and allergies to some anesthetics make this breed difficult to treat and vaccinate. It’s not good to keep the Afghan Hound in a house with babies, because these quiet dogs need peaceful and harmonious environments and cannot feel secure when a baby or a toddler is around.

Dogs of this breed should be treated as equals. They are very sensitive to stress and should by no means be physically punished. Positive motivation is the only way to make an Afghan Hound learn a trick. Even a young Afghan Hound puppy is an independent thinker who doesn’t care about pleasing the owner. Though, not all Afghan Hound dogs are alike. There are energetic and quiet, serious and easy-going, introverted and communicative dogs of this breed, but every Afghan Hound puppy should be raised as a friend, not like a service dog.