Afghan Hound

Coat and looks how to spot one

long, fine and silky

A flowing, very fine coat covers the ribs, flanks, hindquarters and legs, while the back carries a shorter, close 'saddle' and the face is short-haired. A silky topknot sits on the head and the ears are heavily feathered. The body is lean and long-limbed with prominent hipbones, large feet and a tail that finishes in a ring.532

Personality what they are like

A self-assured, independent thinker that tends to hold itself apart from strangers yet shows a light-hearted, playful side with the people it knows. It is sensitive and does best with patient, gentle, reward-based training rather than firm handling. As a sighthound it has a strong urge to chase moving things.342

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High. The Royal Kennel Club suggests more than two hours of exercise a day; Hill's gives a minimum of about 40 minutes plus daily walks. Free running should happen only in a securely fenced area, because the chase instinct can override recall.64

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Very demanding. The long coat needs daily attention (Royal Kennel Club) and regular bathing and thorough brushing, about weekly, to prevent tangles and mats. Expect seasonal coat changes in spring and autumn.64

Home where they are happiest

Best suited to a larger home with access to a well-fenced garden where it can stretch out and run safely.64

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A good-quality complete dog food suited to a large, lean, active breed. Owners often find Afghans eat less than their size suggests; feed to keep a lean, athletic outline.4

Company who they like around

Bonds closely with its household and enjoys family life, while staying reserved with newcomers. Early, positive socialisation helps it grow into a confident adult.34

The story where it all began

The Afghan Hound grew out of the long-coated sighthounds kept by tribal peoples in the mountains and valleys of Afghanistan and neighbouring regions, where they hunted game such as deer, gazelle, hare and fox over rugged ground. Their long coat and large, cushioned feet suited the cold, rocky terrain. British officers returning from India and the Afghan frontier brought such hounds west in the late 1800s and early 1900s. A dog called Zardin caused a stir at Crufts in 1909 and became the model for the first written standard in 1912. After the First World War two influential lines arrived in Britain: the leaner Bell-Murray hounds from the desert plains around 1920-21, and the heavier-coated Ghazni hounds from the Kabul area in 1925, which included the celebrated show dog Sirdar. The Kennel Club gave the breed its own classes and challenge certificates in 1926, and the modern Afghan blends both types. British stock reached America in the 1920s, and the breed became especially fashionable in the 1970s. The FCI accepted it definitively in 1961.2783461

Recognised by the official bits

FCI

Standard No. 228, Group 10 (Sighthounds), Section 1 (Long-haired or fringed sighthounds); definitive acceptance 12 Dec 1961; current standard published 27 Jul 20211

The Royal Kennel Club

Hound Group; granted separate classification and challenge certificates in 19268

UKC

Sighthound & Pariah Group; recognised 19483

AKC

Recognised breed (Hound Group)2

Popularity Ranked 117th of AKC-registered breeds9