Hound group · Afghanistan
Afghan Hound
Also called Tazi, Baluchi Hound, Ogar Afgan.
What makes them remarkable
That flowing coat had a practical purpose: protection against the harsh mountain climate of Afghanistan.
- Dignified
- Aloof
- Independent
- Sweet
- Clownish
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 23 to 27 kg50 to 60 lb
- Lives
- 12 to 14 years
- Energy
- High
- Trains
- Very Low
- Barks
- Low
Training
Training an Afghan Hound
Hound breeds. Recall is the whole game. Build it on a long line before you trust it, and never punish a slow return.
Accept Their Independence
Start here
Afghans are not disobedient; they simply prioritise differently. They understand commands but choose when to comply.
Sensitive to Harsh Handling
This sensitive breed shuts down with harsh corrections. Keep training light, fun, and rewarding.
Secure Fencing Essential
Sighthounds have incredible prey drive and speed. They need 6-foot fencing and should never be off-lead in unfenced areas.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Afghan Hound and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, one step at a time.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to hunt by scent or sight, often far from the handler. Independent, with a nose or eyes that override you.
Gets on with
- ChildrenModerate
- Other dogsModerate
- StrangersLow
- CatsLow
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 1-2 hours daily. Needs space to run at full speed. Coursing (chasing a fake rabbit round a field) is an ideal activity.
- Grooming
- Very high maintenance. Daily brushing required for their long, silky coat. Professional grooming recommended.
- Drool
- Low
- Coat
- Long, Silky, FineBlack, Cream, Red, Silver, Blue, Brindle, White
- In a flat
- Needs more space than a flat gives.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Hip Dysplasia
Moderate
Less common than in other large breeds but still a concern
Cataracts
Moderate
Hereditary eye condition that can affect vision
Hypothyroidism
Mild
Can cause weight gain and coat issues if untreated
Where they come from
History
One of the oldest dog breeds, Afghan Hounds were bred in the mountains of Afghanistan to hunt leopards, gazelles, and hares. Their flowing coat protected them from harsh mountain climates.
- Snuppy · The first cloned dog, an Afghan Hound created in South Korea in 2005
Similar breeds
All breeds
Azawakh
A sighthound with a second job: Tuareg communities used the Azawakh for guarding as well as hunting.
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Saluki
Bedouin hunters prized this desert sighthound for pursuing fast-moving gazelles.
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American Foxhound
George Washington bred these hounds, giving this American breed a connection to the country’s first president.
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Borzoi
Russian aristocrats used this elegant sighthound to hunt wolves, sometimes in enormous organised hunts.
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