Information, Facts & Origins of the
Afghan
The Afghan
comes from Afghanistan and is a dog of considerable size, it is
believed share a common ancestor with the Pharaoh hound.
The Afghan is also known by the other names of Tazi, Persian
Greyhound and the Balkh, Barukhzy or Baluchi hound. The Afghan was
bred originally to hunt hare, foxes, wolves and gazelle. It's
origins can be dated back for at least 5000 years to antiquity. It is classified as one of the
Hound Dogs Group which we
go on to describe in detail in the section at the bottom of this
page.
The
Afghan - A Sighthound
The Afghan Hound belongs to the
collection of dogs referred to as Sighthounds or Gazehounds, which specialise
in hunting its quarry by sight rather than scent. All of the Sighthound breeds
originated in the Middle East,
Africa and Southwest Asia.
It
wasn’t until the mid 1500's that hounds began to be classified
according to their purpose, i.e. sight hounds, scent hounds, etc.
Sighthounds have distinctive characteristics, features and traits
which are perfect for their purpose. Sighthounds have extremely
good vision. They also have a long jaw and lengthy neck which
assists them in sighting their quarry. Their lean muscular body,
deep chest and long powerful legs essential assets when following
any fast and agile prey. Sighthounds also have distinctive feet
with elongated middle toes that make the foot appear longer and
helps with their firm footing. Their long stride, powerful chest
and lungs and agile bodies make it possible for sight hounds to
chase and kill their quarry. As a pet the Afghan Hound is
affectionate and mellow but the instinct to chase anything that is
running requires an excellent training program and firm control.
Information,
Facts & History
of the Afghan Dog
The Afghan Hound a very old sighthound dog breed claiming an
ancient heritage. Its name, Afghan Hound, is derived from the
country of Afghanistan where it is the unofficial national
dog. Native Afghans believe that the Afghan is the dog portrayed on the cave walls in the northern province of Balkh, which is why the Afghan has also been called the Balkh Hound.
The Egyptian pharaohs were known to keep the ancestors of this dog.
Its original native
name of Tazi also connects the dog with the Russian Tasy breed. In
Northern India the dog is known as the Barakzai, Kurram Valley Hound.
And there is also the connection with the Middle East with the
Persian Greyhound name! References
to the Afghan's ancestors appear as hieroglyphics and are also
found engraved in cuneiform ( written in wedge-shaped characters)
on ancient pillars and tablets. Nomadic
tribes are no doubt responsible for the spread of the breed across
the African and Asian continents.
Its thick, coat protected them against the extreme cold of the upper snow
regions but equally shielded it from the sun in desert areas. Its padded paws and powerful
legs gave the Afghan hound the equal abilities to skim across sands or
snow and to climb rocky mountains. The Afghan was used to
hunt the large cats including
the leopard and the panther. It has been known to hunt and kill a big cat single-handedly.
AKC (American Kennel Club) and CKC recognised the Afghan in the 1930s.
Description
of the Afghan Dog and Puppies - Coat and Colours information
The Afghan Hound's coat is normally a shade of Black, Brindle, Gold,
Cream and Black/Tan. These can be with a Shaded or Dark Mask area
or with different shades of blue or gold. Many Afghans have a black facial
mask and all Afghan Hounds have a white "blaze" on the chest and some are all white,
called self-Masked Creams. thick, fine, silky coat and its tail with a ring curl at the end
The long, thick, silky and fine-textured coat requires considerable care and grooming. The long topknot and the shorter-haired saddle on the back are distinctive features of the Afghan's coat.
Dog
Health information - potential health problems of the Afghans
All owners of dogs and puppies
are concerned about the health care of their pets and just as with
humans dog health issues arise from time to time. Resolving dog
health problems, including those of the Afghan, can prove to be
costly and it would be wise to consider the benefits of obtaining
dog health insurance. Diseases in dogs may occur because of
trauma, infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors,
or degenerative conditions. Common health problems and questions
occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears,
Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate
to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune &
Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. Potential health
problems of the Afghan can include:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
(abnormal development of joints referred to as CHD - Canine Hip
and Elbow Dysplasia)
Eye problems
including cataracts
Online
Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems Please click the following link for additional
information which we have provided via our:
This describes the most common canine health problems concisely but simply without using medical jargon. A section on Dog and Puppy Vaccinations is also included offering information on each of the diseases, symptoms and effects for which immunization vaccines are available. Not sure of the name of the dog or puppy illness? A Dog Symptom Sorter is also featured. The Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems should only be used as an informational guide and when and if any dog or puppies health problems occur it is essential to raise any questions you may have with a Dog Health care professional.
Description
of the Afghan Hound Dog and Puppies - Comparative Sizing Pictures
& info
The pictures above allow for a
useful sizing perspective between an average man (Five feet ten
inches) or an average sized woman (Five feet six inches) in
comparison to the average sized Afghan Hound dog which we have
detailed above. These pictures are extremely important as they
provide an immediate and accurate visual representation of the
height
of an average Afghan Hound compared to the height of a male or
female - essential information but unique to this
site. Use the pictures to help to estimate the size of the Afghan Hound
dog to each the various growing stages of children.
Use the pictures to provide a guideline to the adult size of Afghan Hound
Puppies. The pictures will also prove to be
invaluable when comparing the sizes and heights of other dog
breeds. The
dimensions will vary according to the sex of the dog or puppy.
Girl dogs, or bitches, are on average, 2 inches smaller than boy
dogs. Another useful piece of information when considering
puppies.
Information
on Grooming and Care of the Afghan Dog Breed
Afghan Hound's
require considerable care and grooming. All dog breeds require a certain amount of grooming
and care is necessary to keep dogs and puppies looking at their best.
Grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing
but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and
nails. A regular routine also ensures that any potential health
problems are identified as quickly as possible, especially
important in puppies and older dogs.
Information
on Temperament and Character of the Afghan Hound Dog Breed
The Afghan Hound is a very independent breed of dog. They are
aloof, dignified, affectionate, sensitive, but can be very lively
and clownish when in a playful mood. Afghan Hounds are quite vocal and make a good guard dog, barking at any
strangers. They
are extremely nimble and have excellent leaping abilities. This
dog has a glamorous reputation heightened by its regal bearing but
its hunting instincts are still strong and they are liable to
chase small animals. Afghans can be problematic in that they are
not very obedient and have a reluctance to come when called - this
has given them a reputation of being dumb although the reverse is
true.
Living
conditions and Exercise Requirements of the Afghan Dog
Breed
The Afghan Hound dogs and puppies are best suited to living in the country because
they require a substantial amount of exercise.
Although its coat might make it amenable to outdoor living in temperate areas, it needs a
comfortable bed and is better suited as a house dog.
The
Pictures reflect the Size of Adults - not Children and Puppies!
The pictures above allow for a useful comparison of sizes providing an
accurate portrait of the size of an average Afghan Hound- essential
information but unique to this site. It should also be noted that
the pictures feature adults. The size of puppies are naturally
considerably smaller and the full grown size of the animal can
easily be forgotten when confronted with cute puppies! The slogan
" A dog isn't just for Christmas - it's for life!" was necessitated
by well meaning people buying puppies at the Christmas, unaware of
the puppies growth rate. The pictures provided make it extremely
clear exactly how small puppies will develop and whether it will
suit the life and living conditions of the family.
Afghan Hound - Puppies Info and Names The
Puppies section, accessed via the Site Index, provides detailed
information about Choosing the right puppy, Puppy Training, Puppy
Care and Puppy Behavior, Growth & Development. We recommend that
the following considerations should always be taken into account
when choosing puppies:
Budget
- Purchasing, training, equipment, medication and feeding
costs of the breed
Convenience
and Grooming time e.g. long or short hair
Personal
situation - time available and medical conditions such as allergies,
asthma or back pain
Exercising
requirements for the Afghan Houndbreed
Living
Conditions for the dog breed - suitability for puppies
Family
- child suitability
Puppy and Dog
Names - The Importance of choosing the right names
Age
comparison between the Afghan Dog Breed and a Human
Age
comparisons between dogs and humans are always a matter of
debate - we hope that the following information clarifies the
situation. After the first year of life, a dog is equivalent to
sixteen human years. After two years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at
three years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years to determine
a dog's age.
Life
Expectancy of the Afghan Hound Dog Breed
The life
expectancy for this particular breed is 12 – 14 years.
Hound
Dog Breed Information
As implied by its name the Hound has been bred to chase a
quarry by sight or smell, or a combination of both senses.
Sighthounds have exceptional eyesight, combined with the speed and
stamina necessary to catch the intended prey once seen, typical
examples being the Greyhound and the Whippet. Hounds which rely
strongly on the sense of smell to follow the trail of a prey, such
as the Bloodhound, quite literally follow their noses, speed and
eyesight is of less importance.
Characteristics and features have been introduced and strengthened
by
breeding from animals who already demonstrated the desired traits.
Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century.
Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits
helpful for the duties they were intended for. Thus, the
various hound breeds were initially introduced to help man
according to specific requirements such as:
Hunting
and running down small quarry
Flushing
out and Driving game
Vermin
Hunting
Guard
duties
Tracking
In
this day and age only a few hounds still undertake these tasks, but
nevertheless, they still harbour the skills and characteristics that made
the original Afghan Hound dog breeding program successful.
The Hound Breed Group of dogs differ in that some hunt by
scent and others by sight. Many hounds are kept in packs, in
outdoor kennels. Any dogs and puppies belonging to the Hound
breeds require a significant amount of exercise as they have
high stamina levels suitable for hunting quarry. There are
some breeds in this group who make a distinctive ' baying '
sound - invaluable information should be considering
puppies. The pictures above allow for a useful size
comparison providing an accurate portrait of the size of an
average Afghan Hound dog - essential information but unique
to this site.
Examples
of other Breeds within the Hound Dog Group
The Hound group of dogs includes the Afghans
and all of
the following breeds:
Afghans, Foxhounds, Basenjis, Bassets, Beagles, Black and Tan Coonhounds, Bloodhounds, Borzoi, Dachshunds, English Foxhounds, Greyhounds, Harriers, Irish Wolfhounds, Norwegian Elkhounds, Otterhounds, Petit Basset Griffon
Vendeens, American Fox hounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds
and Whippets.
Pictures and information about all of the above Hound Dog breeds,
together with all other dog groups,
may be found
on this website via the following links:
