Afghan Hound

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This is a very ancient dog, native to Sinai, and mentioned several times in Egyptian papyruses as well as pictured in the caves of northern Afghanistan more than 5000 years ago. The breed was kept pure for centuries, and its exportation was always prohibited. It therefore only reached Europe as contraband early in this century. This elegant sighthound was used as a shepherd and hunter of many types of game including deer, wild goats, and even wolves and snow leopards. They were also used by shepherds as herders and watchdogs. An extremely fast and agile runner, the Afghan Hound pursues game by sight. His thick coat protects against temperature extremes. In Europe and America he has become a luxurious pet because of his aristocratic beauty. Some of the Afghan's talents are hunting, sighting, tracking, herding, watchdogging, racing, and lure coursing.

The breed is mainly a coursing hound, pursuing its quarry by sight and followed by the huntsman on horseback. The dogs tended to outdistance the horses so the dogs had to hunt on their own without direction from the huntsman.

The first recorded appearance of the Afghan Hound in the West was the latter part of the 19th century, when British officers and others returning from the Indian-Afghanistan border wars brought dogs back to England. Some of these were exhibited at dog shows as "Afghan Hounds." These got little interest and no real enthusiasm until 1907 when Captain John Barff brought from Persia a well coated dog with a dark mask and a great deal of style. The English dog fanciers all agreed that this was the way an Afghan Hound should be.

Most of the American breeders of the 1930s came into Afghan Hounds with a background of success in other breeds. Their kennels were founded on Prides Hill stock bred to one or more of the dozens of imports coming from Great Britain. Afghanistan now forbids the exportation of these hounds.

The breed gained popularity due to their spectacular qualities as a show dog. Males should be about 27 inches tall and weigh 60 pounds. Females 25 inches and 50 pounds. The Afghan Hound is aloof and dignified, great family pet, though they do require a great deal of grooming to keep their coats in shape.

Both parents should have OFA certificates (hips) and yearly CERF (eyes). Also ask about low thyroid and OCD in the lines. Like all sighthounds, Afghan Hounds are sensitive to anesthetics, vaccines, and chemicals and should never be casually medicated or sedated. The Afghan has a low pain tolerance even minor injuries will cause suffering.

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