Afghan Hound
Also known as Afghan, Afghan Hound, Tazi
- Height at the withers
- 63 to 74 cm
- Weight
- 22 to 34 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 15 years
- Daily activity
- 75 minutes
- Origin
- Afghanistan
- FCI group
- 10 · Sighthounds
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- people bothered by dog hair (no breed is guaranteed allergy-free)
- close neighbors: it barks little
Less suited to
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- a home with cats
- off-leash walks: strong prey drive and unreliable recall
Overview
An ancient, elegant sighthound with a long, silky coat and an aristocratic bearing, bred to hunt big game in mountainous terrain.
History and origins
An ancient sighthound from the mountainous regions of Afghanistan, where it hunted gazelle, deer, wolf or hare. Prized for its speed, its stamina and its ability to chase game on its own over rough terrain, it was brought to the West by British officers in the early 20th century.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and its hardiness is average. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Juvenile cataracts
- Hereditary myelopathy
- Hypothyroidism
- Sensitivity to anesthetics
- Chylothorax
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Long, silky coat. Almost no shedding, very high coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Home alone
- A few hours, 3 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With cats
- Avoid, 1 out of 5
- With strangers
- Reserved, 2 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Very hard, 1 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very high, 5 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Very high, 5 out of 5
- Shedding
- Almost none, 1 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Very quiet, 1 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Average, 3 out of 5
In our lists
Afghan Hound FAQ
How big does the Afghan Hound get?
The Afghan Hound stands 63 to 74 cm at the withers and weighs 22 to 34 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the Afghan Hound shed a lot?
It sheds almost nothing and its coat needs a great deal of care. It is one of the breeds that shed very little and are often better tolerated by people with allergies, with no guarantee: spend time with the breed before you decide. Its coat needs regular grooming, sometimes by a professional.
Can the Afghan Hound live in an apartment?
It can, as long as it gets real outings every day; a yard is still a plus.
How much exercise does the Afghan Hound need each day?
Allow about 75 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Afghan Hound good with children?
Fairly well, preferably with children old enough to respect its limits. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Afghan Hound live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and its hardiness is average. The main health problems to watch for are juvenile cataracts and hereditary myelopathy.
