The Afghan Hound, also called Afghan Hound, is a dog originating from the Middle East with an exotic and charming appearance that is hard to miss. What few people know is that behind the Afghan Hound's elegant and independent stance, there is a great four-legged companion, full of energy to spend and love to give. But what you need to know about this dog breedHow is the Afghan Hound's personality and what care is needed for the dog? To answer all your questions, we have prepared a guide with everything you need to know about the Afghan Hound: value, health, physical and behavioral characteristics, origin and much more!

The origin of the Afghan Hound

As its name reveals, the Afghan Hound originated in Afghanistan, in the Middle East, in a region that also involves small areas of India and Pakistan. However, it is not possible to say for sure which are its descendants and how they arrived in such mountainous terrain. What is known is that the Afghan Hound was developed mainly to help nomadic tribes in the hunting of animals.With a sturdy, slender body and enviable speed, this dog was considered an excellent hunter and had great agility in the local mountains.

At the beginning of the 20th century, it was brought to Europe and won the hearts of the British, becoming one of the most popular dog breeds in England. After arriving in the West, the Afghan Hound also became one of the most targeted breeds to participate in dog shows and competitions. The dog gained official recognition from the American Kennel Club in 1926 and went on to win even more awards.spotlight during the 1970s, but shortly afterwards its popularity fell and today it is no longer one of the most in-demand dogs.

Black Afghan Hound is not the only one out there! Learn about the colors and other characteristics of the Afghan Hound

The characteristics of the Afghan Hound are unique! You only have to cross a specimen of the breed to be able to identify it. Despite being a large dog, with a stature ranging from 60 to 75 cm in height, the Afghan Hound has a very athletic and slender body. It weighs around 26 to 34 kg, and has all the well-developed musculature to travel long distances, mainly due to its large size.hunter's past.

In addition to its size, another aspect that draws attention to the Afghan Hound is its long, thin, smooth and exuberant coat. The hair definitely gives the breed a lot of charm, but it requires very specific care on a daily basis so as not to lose its beauty and healthy appearance. Regarding the colors, the black Afghan Hound is one of the most successful out there, but it is also possible to find specimens with black.According to the Brazilian Confederation of Cynophilia (CBKC), all colors of the Afghan Hound dog are accepted.

The Afghan Hound's personality is marked by independence and self-confidence

Some people say that the Afghan Hound is not one of the friendliest dogs out there, but that's not quite true. What happens is that this breed is naturally more independent and reserved, which many people confuse with a supposed indifference. For those looking for an attached dog, you can forget it. The Afghan Hound does not tend to follow its humans everywhere and does not beg for attention eitherand affection, but has many other qualities: he is loyal, calm, intelligent and very gentle. He usually chooses one person as his favourite, and is totally faithful to them - but he also gets on well with other family members.

It also has a strong hunting instinct, so it needs to spend a lot of energy daily to avoid problematic and destructive behaviors. To prevent this from happening, training can help a lot. The Afghan dog, although intelligent, tends to be quite stubborn and does not accept commands so easily, so it has to persist to work. Positive association is a technique thatcan work, but a tip is to start training with the Afghan Hound as a puppy, not during adulthood.

Another important point is socialization. Although this breed is not aggressive, the Afghan Hound can be a bit introverted around strangers. Therefore, to facilitate the animal's relationship with different types of people and animals, the puppy must have adequate socialization in the first years of life. Other than that, living with the Afghan Hound is very peaceful and enjoyable. The dog almostdoes not bark and is very quiet, provided it has adequate space to play and jump.

Basic care routine for the Afghan Hound

- Bathing and brushing:

It's not easy to keep your Afghan Hound's hair beautiful, silky and healthy. For this, brushing should be done every day or at least four times a week. Bathing, on the other hand, doesn't have to be as frequent: once every two months is ideal - especially if your pooch doesn't get too dirty. Because it has very long and fine hair, the choice of shampoo forThe use of conditioner may also be recommended to help untangle the hair.

- Nails, teeth and ear:

The Afghan Hound's nails usually wear out with day-to-day activities, so before cutting them it is good to see if your dog really needs it. Unlike other breeds, this is a care that can be done monthly, not biweekly. The Afghan Hound's teeth need a lot of attention and should be brushed regularly, between three and four times a week.This is a breed that can accumulate a lot of plaque on the dental surface, which facilitates the appearance of problems such as tartar. In addition, the tutor must also learn how to clean the Afghan Hound's ear, as the breed's ears are more prone to local infections and inflammations, requiring more frequent hygiene.

- Food:

The Afghan Hound needs a balanced and nutritious diet that should be indicated by the veterinarian. The best dog foods are the Premium and Super Premium versions, which have all the necessary nutrients to take care of the animal's health. However, in the case of the Afghan Hound puppy, a specific food can also be indicated to contribute to the health of its hair. Ingredients such as theomega 3 and omega 6 make all the difference in the diet of these dogs. It is also important to pay attention to the appropriate food for the age of the pet, since the food indicated for an Afghan Hound puppy should not be the same as that of an adult dog.

- Physical exercises and space for creation:

One word that defines the Afghan Hound very well is energy. These dogs are super active and are not meant to stay indoors for long, so daily physical exercise is key in the breed's routine. Short walks are not enough to handle so much energy, so our tip is to take the Afghan Hound for a run outdoors! This is a dog that is definitely greatfor runs, but unlike other dogs that behave well with leashes and collars, the Afghan Hound does not like to feel trapped at these times, so it is good that this type of activity takes place in a very safe place. The recommended exercise time is at least 1 hour per day, but environmental enrichment with dog toys are also necessary to stimulate the puppy in the dog's body.Provided it has a good exercise routine, the Afghan Hound can live well in apartments.

What you need to know about Afghan dog health

The Afghan Hound is a healthy breed, but it can develop some problems throughout its life. Among the main concerns, we can highlight hip dysplasia, which is common in large dogs, and cataracts, which tend to affect mainly older dogs.

- Coxofemoral dysplasia: a disease characterized by the wrong fit of the leg bones with the pelvis, making it difficult for the canine to walk. As the femur and pelvis are in constant friction, the animal feels a lot of pain and has limited movements. If not treated in time, the Afghan Hound can have several other associated health problems, such as arthritis.

- Cataract: eye disease that affects the lens of the dog's eye, the lens responsible for focusing objects. Thus, the dog with cataracts cannot see properly and loses the sense of space. One of the main symptoms that can be observed is that the eye acquires a grayish or bluish color.

Another important point about the Afghan Hound is that it is very sensitive to anesthesia and has a low pain tolerance, so any injury can hurt a lot. To ensure that the puppy is in good health, be sure to have annual check-ups with the veterinarian. It is also important to keep a special care with the vaccination schedule, as vaccines help prevent various diseasesdangerous.

Afghan hound: price of puppy can reach R $ 9 thousand

For those who are interested in acquiring an Afghan Hound puppy, one thing that cannot be missing is financial planning. That's because, when it comes to the Afghan Hound, price is something that you definitely can't ignore: the minimum amount to be able to buy a dog of the breed is R $ 3 thousand, and the maximum is up to R $ 9 thousand. That is, the price can even triple, according to the price of the dog.Lineage, coat color and sex are factors that usually influence the final price, but even the cheapest specimen ends up being considerably expensive, so it is important to be very sure of this choice.

In addition, the Afghan Hound puppy demands a series of care and monthly expenses that must also be taken into account, such as veterinary consultations, food, vaccines, toys, bed and various other accessories. If the idea is to have an Afghan Hound to call your own, don't forget to look for a reliable kennel with good references. This is the best way to avoid contributing to the problem.with establishments that mistreat animals and fall into traps.