The Afghan Greyhound or Afghan Hound is a dog that comes from Afghanistan. It is considered a very special breed by those who have had one and it is because the combination of personality, energy and physical appearance of the Afghan Greyhound make this dog a unique and special specimen. It is believed to be descended from the Saluki, an Iranian dog with similar characteristics.
We place the first specimen of the Afghan greyhound in the year 1000 BC. C, a dog that was then used for hunting or as a sheepdog, although it is recorded for the first time in the 19th century. The elegant appearance, grace and speed made the Afghan Hound also a success as a racing dog.
Physical appearance
The appearance of this breed is simply spectacular and that is because the Afghan hound is a tall dog, stylized and elegant in its movements. Its long and silky coat stands out, which, covering its entire body, allow it to isolate itself in the coldest and most inhospitable climates. We can find sand-colored specimens with a darker side on the mantle, although there are many different colors.
The head is refined, long and very expressive, and on both sides of it hang two long, soft ears.
Although its appearance is refined, it is a dog with a strong neck, prominent bones and resistant and straight legs. Finally we highlight its curly or ring-shaped tail.
Character
The Afghan Hound is considered to be a somewhat independent dog, although it does not stop being loyal, sweet and affectionate with its owner. It is a brave and energetic dog that we have to socialize correctly from its tender youth to enhance its qualities.
Normally we speak of calm and friendly specimens, somewhat distrustful of strangers, although not aggressive or hostile. They are sensitive to the environment and the eager greyhound has a sixth sense to interpret non-verbal language when we address it.
Behaviour
It is convenient that we educate our children before letting them play with this wonderful specimen because a hair pull can make our Afghan greyhound nervous and quickly overwhelmed. We must understand that like any dog, the Afghan Greyhound must be respected and treated with the love it deserves.
Regarding the relationship with other pets, it is usually positive and pleasant for him. It is essential that from a young age we encourage him to interact, in this way when he reaches adulthood we will have a social dog who wants to have a good time.
Education
We will try to inform ourselves of the basic techniques of positive reinforcement, socialization and firmness in the education of the dog before deciding to adopt one. The Afghan Hound must be educated in a kind, firm and calm manner. He is not a dog for everyone
he has a great memory capacity and is also a very instinctive dog that will react correctly to whatever we ask of him if we maintain coherence and have perseverance
Care
The Afghan greyhound is a dog that was once a shepherd, ran through the mountains and led the sheep. For this reason, it is easy to deduce that it is a dog with high needs for physical exercise, which, if not met, can lead to timid and nervous attitudes.
We will offer you a long walk every day (we can also divide it into several walks) and it will be an excellent companion if you want to do moderate jogging. Not meeting their basic needs can cause generalized stress that leads to behavioral problems and in relationships with other dogs or other people. You will love enjoying a good swim at the beach, the river or running around the mountains.
The maintenance of the Afghan hound is demanding, constant and careful and it needs a very regular brushing (at least 3 a week) and a monthly bath. It will adapt well to life inside a house as it will prevent dirt or tangles from appearing on its coat. We recommend that you go to a dog grooming salon when you need a haircut, which must be careful and specific.
He alth
In general we are talking about a fairly he althy dog that will be properly maintained if we follow the basic guidelines such as vaccination, deworming, etc. Even so, and like any medium/large-sized dog, the Afghan hound can suffer from diseases such as elbow malformation or hip dysplasia. You can try to prevent these problems by not exercising your greyhound excessively, preventing it from becoming overweight and providing it with a comfortable resting area.
It is also important to note that you may be sensitive to certain chemical compounds or certain drugs (cortisone, tranquilizers and anesthesia).
