Afghan Hound

Breed Group: hound

"I’m really only in it for the chase."

Breed Profile

Afghan Hounds live for the thrill of the chase. They are excellent sprinters, but they also love to laze around the house. They can be a bit stubborn, but they develop deep connections with their owners despite their occasionally aloof personalities.

Behavior

Afghan Hounds love their owners deeply, but don’t show it outwardly as readily as many other breeds. They are especially standoffish when it comes to strangers and take a long time to adjust to new people. Afghan Hounds have a stubborn streak and will often put their own spin on whatever it is you’re asking them to do. They also have an interesting sense of humor, so your life will never be dull with an Afghan Hound.

Coat

Perhaps the most definitive attribute of the Afghan Hound is their long, luxurious coat. Their hair is silky and fine and needs to be brushed three or four times per week. These brushings will help remove tangles or matting and cut back on shedding. If you want your Afghan Hound to look their best, you may want to purchase some professional coat tools or hire a professional groomer.

Lifestyle

Afghan Hounds need to be a part of a family where they can live indoors with people. They bond so deeply with their owners that they have an extremely hard time adjusting to new living situations. They get along with children if they are raised around them, but usually don’t do so well with cats. They don’t need a ton of space as long as you make sure to exercise them daily.

Activity

As previously stated, Afghan hounds love to sprint. They are natural hunters who will chase anything for fun, which translates well into an immense talent for coursing. One of the best ways to exercise an Afghan Hound is to let them loose in a safe, enclosed area where they can run free and burn off their energy. On days when you can’t get your Afghan Hound off-leash, you can take them for a long walk to satisfy their exercise needs.

Characteristics

Space Needs

Activity Needs

Intelligence

Playfulness

Grooming Needs

Trainability

Watch Ability

Dog-friendliness

Child-friendliness

About the Afghan Hound

The Afghan Hound was bred to spot and pursue game, so they love sprinting and are always on the lookout for furry little creatures. When they’re not outside chasing things, Afghan Hounds like to laze around inside. Although Afghan Hounds develop deep connections with their owners, they tend to be somewhat aloof and are more likely to wait for you to shower them with love than the other way around. They are food driven, which is something to keep in mind when training them... and when leaving snacks on the counter!