Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound has its origins from
Middle Eastern Sighthounds with roots that date back to the Egyptian Pharaohs.
Most of these dogs were used by nomadic tribes in order to hunt the ground for
gazelles, hare, and other small animals to bring back for food. For centuries,
the Afghan Hound breed remained isolated in the Afghanistan Mountains. These
mountains were practically impenetrable.
Afghan Hounds often hunted with the
partnership of falcons, which were trained to swoop at the quarry. These dogs
spent generation after generation hunting through rough conditions in harsh
mountains.
They developed great stamina, strength and
speed from such hard labor. The Afghan Hound's most striking physical
capabilities were its leaping distance and nimbleness. These great hunting dogs
were able to work with great success in the frigid mountain climate by the aid
of their thick, long coat.
It wasn't until sometime during the early
1900s that the very first Afghan Hound made its way to England. At that time
these dogs were referred to as “Barukhzy Hounds”. Others called them “Persian
Greyhounds”.
The Afghan Hound was quite a diverse breed
so in order to draw up a breed standard that was based on perfection, a model
dog was used that best illustrated the elegant look of today's Afghan Hound.
That dog was named Zardin.
The breed's popularity grew at a snail's
pace, but eventually made a name in the show ring. In fact, the Afghan Hound
quickly made a name for itself as one of the most glamorous, yet competitive
dogs in the rings. The 1970s proved to be a booming time for the breed amongst
the public, but since then their status as a common household pet has dwindled.
Products For The Afgan Hound Owner
Personality
By viewing the glamorous, striking look of
the Afghan Hound, those people unfamiliar with its history would never guess at
how skillful its hunting abilities are. This dog is a hunter at heart, capable
of finding its prey through rough terrain, yet is peaceful and gentle,
especially with children. It needs exercise on a daily basis and can be
somewhat shy and reserved around strangers.
Taking Care Of Your Afghan Hound
Daily stimulation, both mentally and
physically, will keep the Afghan Hound in a happy state of mind. This dog loves
the opportunity to run at full speed if you can do so in a safe area. They
should live indoors with the rest of the family but have access to an enclosed,
outside area during the day. Grooming does take a little extra work with the
Afghan Hound. Its coat is long and may need to be brushed thoroughly every
other day.
Health Information
The average lifespan of a healthy Afghan
Hound is between 12 and 15 years. These dogs are considered to be very healthy
with absolutely no major health issues, and the only minor concerns that may
spring up are cataracts. Occasionally seen are CHD and necrotic myelopathy, but
these health problems are extremely rare.
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