Afghan Hound

Other names : Tazi. Afghan. Balkh Hound. Barutzy Hound. Baluchi Hound. Kabul Hound.

The Afghan Hound’s origins are practically unknown. A cousin of the Saluki (Persian Greyhound), his ancestors are thought to have been brought from Persia (Iran) to Afghanistan, where they might have developed their long coat. A favorite of Afghan royalty, Afghan Hounds were brought to England by British soldiers around 1890, after the second Afghan War. The first specimens shown in London in 1907 were a big hit. An English breed club was founded in 1926, and the breed appeared in France around 1930. Afghan Hounds were a huge fad in the 1980s.

Tough, hardy, and not as fast as the Greyhound, the Afghan Hound was used in his native land as a watchdog and hunter of antelope, wolf, jackal, and other game. The British Army used the Afghan Hound as a messenger dog in India. Calm, often dominant, sensitive, and not very demonstrative, he does not like to be bothered. Affectionate and very attached to his owner, he is distant and even haughty toward strangers. He needs firm but not harsh training.

He can adapt to apartment life as long as he has space and lots of exercise. He requires daily brushing and combing, as well as a monthly bath and grooming two or three times a year.

Head:Long. Skull long, not too narrow. Prominent occipital peak. Slight stop. Long muzzle. Powerful jaws.
Ears:Set on low, carried very flat against the head, covered with long, silky hair.
Eyes:Nearly triangular, slightly slanted, preferably dark, but a golden shade is not a fault.
Body:Long. Long, strong neck. Deep chest. Well-sprung ribs. Prominent, fairly widely spaced hip bones. Flat, muscular back sloping slightly toward the hip. Straight, strong, fairly short loin.
Tail:Not too short, forming a ring at the tip, sparsely covered with hair, carried high in action.
Hair:Very long, silky, fine hair covering the forequarters, hindquarters, and entire body except the back from the withers to the base of the tail, where the hair is short and dense. Long, silky forelock starting on the forehead. Short and dense on the foreface. Ears and legs covered with long, abundant hair.
Coat:All colors are allowed.
Size:Dog: 69 to 74 cm. (27-29 in).Bitch: 62 to 69 cm. (24.5-27 in).
Weight:25 to 30 kg (55-66 lb).
Group:Sighthounds