Afghan hound: breed description and content

Afghan Hound is a fairly popular breed. It is no coincidence that dog breeders all over the world fell in love. The aristocratic appearance of animals, combined with benevolence and devotion, leaves no one indifferent. Let's get acquainted with these amazing creatures, consider the description of the breed, the nuances of grooming and training.

The country of origin of the breed is officially considered Afghanistan. On its territory were found images of animals very similar to the Afghan hounds. Archaeologists believe that they were made in the II century BC. e. At the same time, similar drawings were found in Iran. The approximate time of their appearance is the XI century BC. e.

Although the findings suggest that the place of origin of these beautiful animals might not have been Afghanistan, the breed was given such a name. The fact is that it was in this country that they gained special popularity.

And today representatives of this breed are very much appreciated in Afghanistan.

Initially, the Afghan Hounds already loved to run, developing high speed. A hunting instinct was also present. Representatives of the breed helped the owners to hunt both small and large game. Endurance and strength allowed them not only to pursue, but also to catch prey.

Animals were also used as guards. They ensured both the safety of the human home and the safety of livestock.Local aristocrats considered dogs their personal bodyguards, which was due to the dedication and strength of the pets. Besides, the spectacular appearance of the dogs only increased the status of wealthy people.

The first official club of the breed appeared in 1926. It happened in England. Later, dogs were recognized by American experts. Impeccable appearance, excellent gene pool and adaptability allowed us to quickly establish breed standards.

Despite the extraordinary beauty and grace, the Afghan hound is not decorative. This breed is part of a group of hunting dogs. However, these animals are bought not only for hunting. Many city dwellers take them as ordinary pets.

The beauty of these dogs is amazing. Long legs, a graceful neck and an aristocratic muzzle are complemented by regal posture. Flowing satin wool adds even more sophistication to the look.

Despite the outward refinement, the Afghans are quite strong animals. Dogs are considered large, muscular, strong. Consider the characteristics of the breed in more detail.

• Head. In thoroughbred individuals, the head is set so that it gives maximum visibility to the terrain. The shape of the skull is elongated. The muzzle is elegant, but the jaws are strong. The standard bite is “scissors” or “pincers”. The eyes are almond-shaped, usually dark brown. A nut shade is also allowed, although less preferred. The nose may be black or brown (depending on color). Ears are large, hanging, pressed to the head, profusely pubescent.
• Body. The body of the dog is harmoniously folded. The back is flat, medium length. The chest is wide. The neck is moderately long. The tail is set low. Unlike other parts of the body, there is little hair on it. At the same time, he twists the ring, which makes the appearance of the pet even more interesting. The legs of the Afghans are long, strong. The rear ones are more powerful.
• Wool. Long soft wool is the pride of representatives of this breed. Short hairs cover the muzzle. From the forehead line, the hair gradually lengthens, resulting in a kind of “hairstyle”. The back area also has a shorter coat. Ears, neck, belly and paws are covered with silky long hair. Oddly enough, such a luxurious “hair” does not at all prevent the animals from actively moving. It is known that when running, an Afghan can reach speeds of up to 50 km / h.
• Color. Any color is allowed. The most common dogs are beige, red, ash-silver, chocolate shades. Snow-white specimens are very beautiful. There are individuals of tiger color. A contrasting “mask” on the face is welcome. The exceptions are completely white and black individuals. But white spots on wool of a different color are considered a deviation from the standard.
• Weight and height. The largest males weigh 35 kg. Females usually do not exceed 20 kg. Male height ranges from 65 to 75 cm (at the withers). Females grow to 65-70 cm.
• Life span. Usually, Afghans live to 11 years. The maximum lifespan of these dogs is 13 years.

Afghan puppies are very playful and sociable. Adults are also affectionate and sweet, but already more restrained in the manifestation of emotions.

The aristocratic appearance of animals fully coincides with their manners. Afghan hounds are calm, peaceful pets. They are very loyal to their masters, quickly become attached to people. Host protection is important to them, although animals are not prone to aggression.

It is worth noting that the nature of the representatives of this breed is not simple.They are difficult to educate. Sometimes it takes years. However, people calling such dogs stupid are wrong.

Representatives of this breed are not inclined to prove their leadership among other pets, although sometimes they can be jealous of the owner for them. Afghans know their worth, feel special. Sometimes they are even arrogant. For example, a dog can climb onto a bed without waiting for permission. If the pet does not like the nickname given to him or he does not want to go to the owner at a particular moment in time, he may not respond to the call.

The owner should approach such independence of the pet with understanding. Any large dog has its own character and developed sense of self-sufficiency. It is not easy for such an animal to come to terms with the role of a subordinate being.

As already mentioned, aggression to the Afghans is not inherent. They are calm, peaceful. With strangers such dogs behave wary, but restrained. To bring a pet out of balance can only ill-bred children.

The dog will be offended even if the owner unjustly punishes him. However, you can not always notice the upset feelings of a shaggy pet. As a typical native of the East, such a dog skillfully hides emotions, while maintaining dignity.

An Afghan can get along with other dogs only if he knows them from an early age and grows up with them. But smaller animals (hamsters, cats, etc.) in this situation is better not to start. They will provoke the hunting instinct of the animal and the desire to pursue prey.

Of course, each pet is a bright personality. You may come across as a shy quiet man, and a wayward capricious dog. However, regardless of character, all Afghans need an active lifestyle. Therefore, if for some reason you cannot pay much attention to the animal and take it for long walks, it is better to choose a different breed.

The best living conditions for Afghans are a private house, where there is a lot of space and there is the opportunity to run and play freely all day. However, many keep pets in urban apartments and claim that the dogs feel great.

Obviously, the comfort of the animal is directly related to its temperament. Calm dogs can easily tolerate a lack of space, but in any case, long walks are required. It is worth remembering that such dogs need constant communication. They can not stand loneliness, so the space of the enclosure does not replace the pet's attention of the owner.

Often, Afghans climb onto a sofa or chair, preferring to rest in comfort. Weaning an animal from this is extremely difficult. Usually the owners give up, leaving the pet the right to lie on the furniture.

Location should be convenient. Do not place it in a draft or near a battery. When choosing a couch, it is better to give preference to a model with an orthopedic base. Of course, do not forget about the size.

If you do not want to be upset when you find gnawed furniture or damaged shoes, provide your pet with a variety of toys. It is also advisable to purchase special dental sticks at a pet store.

Walking the Afghan hound must last at least 1.5 hours. In this case, the bulk of the time should be devoted to active exercises, fast running.Try to introduce the dog to other large dogs on the street. This will allow the animal to gain a new experience and make it calmer at home.

A place for walking should be chosen carefully. When releasing a dog from a leash, do not lose vigilance. Hot oriental handsome men are not at all afraid of cars. They do not see them as a threat; on the contrary, they perceive cars as funny toys. Besides the fact that the dog can run out onto the roadway, he may also chase the cat. Given the speed that an Afghan can develop, losing sight of him is very easy.

Therefore, it is advisable to walk the dog in quiet desert territories, fields or fenced areas. In such places, the risk of hazardous situations is reduced.

Afghans carry cold and high humidity calmly. As for the heat, this is a tough time for animals. On hot days, walks should be shortened. Enough 20 minutes for the dog to stretch without risk of getting a heat stroke. It is advisable to walk her in the early morning and late evening.

It is also worth considering that at the end of summer the burdock and other spiny plants ripen. They easily cling to the long coat of the animal. Removing such garbage from a dog’s fur coat is a tedious and difficult task. therefore it is better to avoid walking through meadows and forests, preferring territories with less dense landscaping.

Grooming is an essential part of caring for an Afghan hound. Representatives of this breed do not fade, which necessitates their combing. In addition, if you do not pay attention to caring for the coat of a pet, its luxurious coat will quickly turn into something confused and untidy.

Combing the dog’s coat should be in layers. You need to start from the bottom. Do not ignore pre-hydration. The fact is that dry hairs are very fragile, they can break and become electrified. Particular attention should be paid to the areas between the legs. Here the wool often falls off. The hair on the tail is laid so that it hangs vertically. In the upper part a straight parting should form.

Until the age of one, the pet's hair is in the stage of active growth. During this period, it is enough to comb the animal with a brush with natural bristles. Frequency - once every 2 days. After a year, the greyhound already has a well-formed coat. A parting appears on the head. The hair on the legs and sides becomes longer. At this time, the owner must acquire a trimming knife. It is necessary in order to process the back area, as well as tidy up the areas on the side surfaces of the dog’s neck.

The breed’s haircuts are not provided for by breed standards. However, if you make the hair under the armpits and under the tail a little shorter, caring for the animal will become easier. The fact is that it is in these places that most of the warlocks are formed. Of course, this little trick is not suitable for those owners who are going to show their four-legged favorites at exhibitions.

Too often bathing a shaggy friend is not worth it. The ideal option is one bathing day per month (less often). When washing, use a special veterinary shampoo. Then apply the conditioner. A clean dog is wiped with a towel and dried with a hairdryer. It is worth remembering that the ears of the Afghan are washed separately. They are in turn lowered into the basin, in which there is a warm aqueous solution of shampoo. In this case, it is important to ensure that water does not enter the ear canals.

There is another important nuance: be sure to dry six pets completely immediately after taking water procedures.If he lies down with a wet “coat”, she will crumple and cease to be airy.

The main hygiene measures include periodic inspection of the ears and eyes of the animal. They should also be cleaned with a cotton pad, which must first be moistened in a veterinary lotion. If redness is observed or the dog is anxious (shakes his head, tries to scratch his ear), then there are health problems. In this case, contact your veterinarian.

Nail care depends on the situation. A dog can grind it himself. If this does not happen, they need to be cut off. The procedure is carried out a couple of times a month. You can determine the length of the claws by eye and by sound. If your pet is clucking while walking, then cropping is required. This will increase the comfort of the animal itself and allow you to protect yourself from accidental scratches.

Before the show, the owners give the dogs a special touch. On the eve of the pet washed and dried. Then they put on overalls, which allows you to keep the wool clean longer. Ears are often worn over the ears. For paws, special shoe covers are designed for animals.

Afghans boast excellent health and good immunity. Nevertheless, troubles can happen to everyone. Any surgical intervention of these gentle creatures is painful. Therefore, it is important to identify problems in a timely manner and consult a doctor immediately.

Be careful, don’t forget to check your pet’s eyes, because this is a weak spot among representatives of this breed. Also monitor the condition of the coat and hygiene. Poor care can lead to dermatitis.

Be sure to get vaccinated. The dog should be vaccinated by a specialist.

Like any living creature, an Afghan needs a proper, balanced diet rich in vitamins. Puppies under 4 months of age are fed 5 times a day. For babies from 4 to 6 months, the bowl is filled 4 times a day. Then (up to 1 year) adhere to three meals a day. Adults are fed twice a day. Serving size varies depending on the weight of the dog.

The pet diet should contain at least 20% protein. To calculate the nutritional value of products and correctly compose a menu, you can use special tables. If the owner chooses the finished food, the task is facilitated.

Dry feeding is beneficial for the animal. The main thing is to choose premium and super premium feeds. This will save time on cooking for the dog and provide him with the necessary valuable substances.

If you decide to adhere to a natural diet, low-fat cottage cheese can become a source of calcium for the animal. Boiled eggs (yolk), meat, fish are also considered useful. It is only worth noting that you can not give pork to Afghans. Other types of meat (beef, poultry) are quite suitable. Offal is sometimes acceptable. In addition to those leaving, the menu of adults also includes fresh vegetables and boiled cereals in the form of cereals.

With natural nutrition, do not ignore mineral supplements. It can be fish oil or kelp. During the period of active growth and development, Afghans are given vitamin complexes intended for dogs.

The list of banned foods other than pork includes sausage, flour and sweet products, legumes.

Afghan hounds are capable of quick learning, but their independence and stubbornness often stand in the way. This is not surprising, because initially the breed assumed the participation of dogs in a quick corral of the game, and not following different teams. However, many keep beautiful animals in city apartments and, of course, want to instill in them obedience and discipline.

You need to start raising a pet since its acquisition. This will increase the chances of success. Already at the age of 8-9 weeks, babies can perceive information and get used to certain standards of behavior. If you start training after six months, the owner of the dog may encounter an already formed stubborn character.

Show the puppy his personal territory with a berth, make it clear that he should be here during sleep.

Training can begin at home. You can master the simplest teams yourself. it “Sit”, “Lie”, “Place”, “Come to me!”, “Fu”. If you're lucky, you can teach your pet how to give you a paw. These basic commands will allow some dog obedience.

In the process of training, it is important to remember the nature and high sensitivity of the pet. You can not scold him, let alone beat him even in case of refusal to perform tasks. Only love and respect will allow you to establish contact with a four-legged friend. But praise the dog is a must.

It is worth knowing that it is difficult to distinguish a purebred Afghan Hound puppy from other dogs, so it’s better to go to a trusted place to buy a pet. Choose a large, strong and mobile baby. To reduce the risk of genetic diseases in your dog, check the pedigree of both parents.

The pet’s name should be short and easy to pronounce. You can name your fourth friend in honor of a mythical or literary character, or you can just come up with an exclusive name. If nothing comes to mind, you can choose one of the options below.

For girls: Ada, Lada, Dina, Alma, Adele, Gerda, Nessie, Laura, Gina, Wendy.

For boys: Flor, Argon, Ice, Archie, Brandon, Lord, Prince, Richard, Charlie.

You will learn about the features of the breed from the next video.