The Essential Guide to Afghan Hound Puppies

Welcoming an Afghan Hound puppy into your family is a big responsibility, but with the right guidance, you can set yourself up for success. Afghan Hound puppies require a lot of grooming.

Their beautiful, silky coats need to be brushed daily to prevent matting. Their thick coats also shed heavily, so be prepared for a lot of dog hair.

Afghan Hound puppies are naturally curious and love to explore their surroundings. They need plenty of space to run around and play.

The Afghan Hound puppy's physical characteristics are truly unique and impressive. The gait of an Afghan Hound should be smooth and springy with a style of high order, giving the impression of strength and dignity.

Their head is long, not too narrow, with a prominent occiput and a well-balanced skull. The nose is preferably black, but liver is acceptable in light-colored dogs. The eyes are nearly triangular, slanting slightly upwards from the inner corner to the outer, and should be dark for preference, but golden color is not debarred.

Their neck is long and strong, with a proud carriage of the head. The forequarters are well set back, well muscled and strong without being loaded. The body is level and well muscled, with a moderate length, falling slightly away to the stern.

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The Afghan Hound's gait is a sight to behold, smooth and springy with a style of high order. It's a true testament to the breed's athletic ability and agility.

The whole appearance of the Afghan Hound should give the impression of strength and dignity, combining speed and power. This is reflected in the breed's muscular build and proud carriage.

The head of an Afghan Hound is held proudly, with a long skull that's not too narrow and a prominent occiput. A slight stop is also noticeable, giving the head a unique shape.

The eyes of an Afghan Hound are nearly triangular and slanting slightly upwards from the inner corner to the outer. Dark eyes are preferred, but golden colour is also acceptable.

The ears of an Afghan Hound are set low and well back, carried close to the head. This gives the breed a distinctive and elegant look.

The tail of an Afghan Hound is not too short, set on low with a ring at the end. It's raised when the dog is in action, adding to its dynamic appearance.

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A long, strong neck is a hallmark of the Afghan Hound, with a proud carriage of the head. This is a key feature of the breed's overall appearance.

The shoulders of an Afghan Hound are long and sloping, well set back and well muscled. This gives the breed a powerful and athletic build.

The body of an Afghan Hound is level and well muscled, with a moderate length and a slight fall away to the stern. The loin is straight, broad and rather short.

The coat of an Afghan Hound is one of its most distinctive features, very long and finely textured on the ribs, forequarters, hindquarters and flanks. All colours are acceptable, making the breed highly versatile.

The coat requires regular upkeep, including bathing and blow-drying each week to keep it in top condition. This is especially important for dogs shown in the Conformation ring.

In adult dogs, the hair from the shoulder backwards and along the saddle is naturally short and close. This helps to reduce grooming time and keep the coat looking its best.

The Afghan Hound's legs are well coated, but the pasterns may be bare. This adds to the breed's unique and elegant appearance.

Dogs typically stand between 68-74cm tall, while bitches are slightly smaller, standing between 68-72cm tall.

The Afghan Hound is a majestic breed with a commanding presence. Males are 27 inches tall, give or take an inch.

Their size can be deceiving, but Afghan Hounds are indeed quite large. Females, on the other hand, tend to be slightly smaller, measuring about 25 inches in height.

Whether you're considering bringing an Afghan Hound into your home or simply want to appreciate their grandeur, understanding their size is essential.

The Afghan Hound's coat is truly a sight to behold - it's fine in texture, similar to human hair, and thick and silky.

The entire body is abundantly covered in hair, even the ears and feet, with the exception of the back where the hair is short and close.

All solid colors are allowed by the American Kennel Club breed standard, with certain color combinations considered the most pleasing.

Grooming is a must for the Afghan, as the fine coat tends to tangle easily.

Regular, even daily, brushing and combing is necessary, as well as frequent bathing.

Many owners elect to hire a professional groomer to keep the coat in good condition because grooming the Afghan is so time-consuming and difficult.

Begin accustoming your Afghan to being brushed and examined when they're a puppy, handling their paws frequently and looking inside their mouth and ears.

Make grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards, and you'll lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and handling when they're an adult.

Afghan Hounds are prone to ear infections, so it's essential to check their ears weekly and wipe them out with a cotton ball moistened with a cleanser recommended by your veterinarian.

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Afghan Hounds are dignified, independent, aloof, and very active dogs.

They can live indoors, but require a reasonably sized, well-fenced yard. This is because they are self-exercising and need plenty of mental stimulation.

Afghan Hounds are not motivated by food and don't have a strong desire to please, making them a challenge to train.

They can be taught to obey basic commands with persistent training, and some have even succeeded in Agility, Lure Coursing, and other sports.

The Afghan Hound is typically a one-person or one-family dog and can be indifferent to the presence of guests.

They are not known to be good watchdogs, and some may not even bark when a stranger enters the home.

Afghan Hounds are brave, with stamina, strength, and agility, making them well-suited for hunting large animals.

They will form close bonds with their family and others they get to know, and are loyal and loving companions.

Afghan Hounds are good with children and tend to get along with other animals, especially other dogs.

They can be playful and comical, especially when younger, and will form especially close bonds with those that can match these characteristics.

Rough handling can cause an Afghan Hound to become withdrawn or mildly antagonistic, so gentle handling, kindness, and patience are essential.

Afghan Hounds can be stubborn at times, but with the right approach, they can thrive as beloved family pets.

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Afghan Hounds are naturally active dogs that need daily exercise, which ideally includes a long walk or run. They're also adept escape artists, so high, secure fencing is a must if you plan on keeping your hound in a yard.

Afghan Hounds have a somewhat high level of exercise and grooming needs due to their energy and long locks. They'll often be happy to settle in on the couch with their humans after a run.

Regular, even daily, brushing and combing is necessary to prevent matting and tangling of their fine and silky coat. They'll also need frequent bathing, ideally weekly but fortnightly at the very least, especially if they get dirty or swim regularly.

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Afghan Hounds need about two hours of daily exercise, including walks or runs, to wear them out.

They also love to hike and swim, and activities that make use of their natural hunting drive, such as lure coursing, are a great way to keep them entertained.

A fenced-in area for supervised exercise and play is essential, as they are known to run off if an animal grabs their attention.

Afghan Hounds are adept escape artists and can outrun horses, so a secure yard is a must.

They can become overexcited and destructive if left alone in small living quarters, so regular exercise is key to keeping them happy and calm.

Afghans need a lot of exercise and stamina, and daily walks alone are unlikely to be enough to tire them out.

Look for other, more intensive forms of exercise, such as agility and lure coursing, to keep your Afghan Hound happy and healthy.

With the right exercise and care, Afghan Hounds can thrive in smaller apartment spaces, as long as they've had a chance to run around and wear themselves out.

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Afghan Hounds have a fine and silky coat that requires regular brushing to prevent mats and tangles.

You'll need to brush your Afghan's coat multiple times per week to maintain its silky texture and reduce shedding. Brushing should be a daily habit, especially if you have a young puppy.

Grooming your Afghan's coat is essential to prevent knots and ensure it remains comfortable and healthy. Daily brushing will also help prevent tangles and mats.

The Afghan's coat is prone to tangling, so regular brushing is a must. You can start by brushing your Afghan's coat when they're a puppy to make grooming a positive experience.

Afghan Hounds have long hair around their ears, which makes them prone to ear infections. Check their ears weekly and wipe them out with a cotton ball moistened with a cleanser recommended by your veterinarian.

Proper dental care is also crucial for Afghan Hounds. Brush their teeth daily or at least three times a week to help avoid dental disease.

Trimming your Afghan's nails is also essential. You should trim their nails roughly every 2 months or when you can hear them clicking on hard floors.

Regular washing is also necessary, ideally weekly but fortnightly at the very least. This will be especially important if your Afghan runs in the mud or swims in water regularly.

It's also a good idea to have your Afghan visit a professional groomer every couple of months to keep their coat in good condition.

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Adult Afghan hounds should eat about 2 to 2.5 cups of dry food a day, divided into two meals. This can be supplemented in part or entirely by wet food.

Limiting food and increasing exercise is crucial for adult Afghan hounds who are overweight.

Afghan puppies, seniors, and those experiencing injury or illness have different nutrition needs. It's essential to get clear directions from a qualified vet when determining their diet.

Expect to feed between 2 and 2 1/2 cups of dry food per day. The exact amount will be determined by the actual weight of your dog and any special health or dietary requirements they might have.

Treats should not make up more than 10% of your dog's total diet. Whatever calories are given as treats should be deducted from your dog's total daily allowance.

Fresh drinking water should be available at all times and access to the water should not be restricted.

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Afghan Hound puppies are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health conditions.

Their lifespan is around 12 to 14 years, which is a respectable age for a dog breed.

Afghan Hounds are relatively free from hereditary disease, but some instances of cataracts and hip dysplasia have been reported.

Responsible breeders have greatly decreased the incidence of both cataracts and hip dysplasia through testing.

Afghan Hounds can be allergic to various things, including food and environmental factors, which may cause skin allergies or digestive issues.

Hip dysplasia is an orthopedic condition that affects the stability of the hip joint and its function.

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones, causing symptoms like weight gain.

Juvenile cataracts can cause opacity of the eye lens, leading to vision loss.

Demodectic mange is a skin disease caused by mites, resulting in hair loss on the face or body.

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Von Willebrand disease affects the clotting ability of the blood, making it difficult to control bleeding in injured or surgically operated dogs.

Some other health issues that may affect Afghan Hounds include cataracts, corneal dystrophy, demodectic mange, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, nasal depigmentation, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Here's a list of some common health problems in Afghan Hounds:

If you're considering bringing an Afghan Hound puppy into your family, you'll want to think carefully about ownership and compatibility. They're generally good with children, but a child's quick movements and noise level can startle them.

Their independent nature and large size make them best suited as an adult companion. With proper socialization, though, the Afghan can adjust to life in a family with children and be loving with them.

Afghan Hounds can get along with other pets, but they might be indifferent to them. They can make good playmates with other Afghan Hounds in the same family, encouraging each other to play and have fun.

If there are small animals in the area, it's essential to avoid letting your Afghan Hound off leash unless you have perfect recall. Their prey drive means they can chase cats and smaller animals.

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If you're considering bringing an Afghan Hound puppy into your family, you have two main options: adopting or buying.

You can buy an Afghan Hound from a reputable breeder, but be prepared for a significant upfront cost. Expect to pay an average of $1,000, with some breeders charging upwards of $2,500 to $5,000 for a show-worthy Afghan.

The cost of buying an Afghan Hound from a breeder can be steep, but it's worth it for some owners. If you're willing and able to provide the high level of attention and exercise this breed requires, it could be a perfect fit.

If you're not set on buying, you can also consider adopting an Afghan Hound from a rescue group. The Afghan Hound Club of America National Rescue (U.S.) is a great resource to start with.

Here are some reputable resources to help you find an Afghan Hound puppy, whether you choose to buy or adopt: