Article Title: Afghan Hound Dog Breed Explained
Author: John E Adams
Afghan Hound. Royal heir to the throne!
Afghan hounds, also known as Tazi in their homeland, is a
particularly beautiful breed of dog whose history dates back
thousands of years.
It is considered the national dog breed of Afghanistan and for
many years, Afghan hounds were not permitted to leave the
country.
It is only within the last hundred years that Afghan hounds
have come to the attention of American and Europe dog breeds.
It wasn't until the 1930s that they were recognized by the AKC
and CKC as a distinct breed.
The Afghan hound is easily distinguished by it's long, sleek
coat, which may come in any color or pattern, and its feathery,
curly tail.
This points to its long history as a hunting dog in the
mountains of Afghanistan, where it was used to hunt down local
predators and pests like wolves and foxes as well as food
animals like gazelle.
Though these dogs are quite tall, they are also fairly light
and thin; their fur, which is quite thick although fine, can
give them a larger appearance.
Afghan hounds are considered to be sighthounds, which hunt by
seeing their prey rather than by scenting it.
Like most sighthounds, they are very fast, but lack the
endurance that is seen in Scenthounds. They are bred for speed
to capture they prey as quickly as possible, without the need to
waste energy.
Afghan hounds are prone to allergies and cancer, cancer being
one of the main cause of death among this breed. It also
important to remember that due to their sleek appearance and
slender build, Afghan hounds are also more prone to other health
problems.
Like other sighthounds, they are prone to suffering from
cataracts and like other breeds of their size, older dogs often
develop hip dysplasia.
Their coats do require regular care and maintenance to retain
the smooth texture as well as to prevent dead hair and skin from
clumping unattractively.
When considering an Afghan hound as a pet, there are quite a
few things to keep in mind.
First, this breed is known for a low obedience intelligence;
while the dog itself can be quite bright, they are almost
catlike in their independence.
Thorough training is necessary to make sure that an Afghan
hound understands commands that are given to it, but the owner
should keep in mind that sometimes even that won't be enough!
Despite their aristocratic appearance and the care this is
required to keep their coats in top shape, Afghan hounds
originated as working dogs, and thus need a great deal of
exercise.
Ideally, Afghans should be walked at least a mile every day and
have some more interaction on top of that.
Afghan hounds are very sensitive to their owner's moods, so
care should be taken to treat this breed gently. Without proper
care and if subjected to an environment that is too stressful,
this dog can easily become neurotic or destructive.
The Afghan hound is a beautiful breed of dog. However, many
considerations need to be made before choosing one as a pet.
While Afghan's are fine companions for the right people, care
should be taken into ensuring that they are the right dog for
you, your family and the environment in which you live.
About The Author: Copyright John Adams There is much more to
this regal dog breed. "Free advice here"
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