Afghan Hounds: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em

The AKC Standard calls him "an aristocrat, his whole appearance one of dignity and aloofness.... eyes gazing into the distance as if in memory of ages past."

Some Afghan Hounds are indeed dignified, while others are altogether silly clowns, and still others alternate gleefully between the two.

Though quiet indoors, the Afghan Hound should not be left unsupervised for long periods of time without personal attention and running exercise, for he bores easily and then he can become seriously destructive.

Standoffish by nature, the Afghan Hound needs extensive exposure to people and unusual sights and sounds so that his caution does not become timidity. He is sociable with other dogs, but has strong hunting/prey instincts and so he may chase smaller pets. This needs to be stopped immediately.

Obedience training will control his bumptiousness and build his confidence, but you must be patient and persuasive, for sighthounds are extremely sensitive to leash jerking. Independent and not particularly eager to please, their stubbornness takes the form of resistance rather than wild disobedience, i.e. they brace their legs and refuse to walk.

Don't let this breed off-leash, for he is blazing fast and can gallop out of sight in seconds. His high hipbones make him one of the most agile of all breeds and one of the best jumpers. Your fences should be at least 6 feet high, preferably 7 or 8 feet.

If you want a dog who...

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

• You can avoid some negative traits by choosing an ADULT dog from an animal shelter or rescue group. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult Afghan Hounds have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics.
• If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy.

More traits and characteristics of the Afghan Hound

If I was considering an Afghan Hound, I would be most concerned about...

1. Providing enough running exercise in a safe enclosure. Afghan Hounds don't need miles of running, but they can't get by with a small yard and leashed walks around the block. They need regular access to a large fenced area – fenced because these dogs are chasing addicts with sharp eyesight for movement. If something catches their attention on the horizon, they will take off and not come back. The fence should be high – Afghan Hounds can clear six feet with little effort.

   See if there is a dog club in your area that offers an activity called lure coursing, which is chasing a mechanical lure in a controlled setting. This is an appropriate outlet for the full-speed galloping behaviors that are "hardwired" into your Afghan Hound's genes.

   

2. Chasing other animals that run. Afghan Hounds are usually fine with the pets in their own family. But they are lightning-fast, and individuals with a strong prey instinct could seriously injure or kill any small running animal.
3. Grooming. Without frequent brushing, Afghan Hounds become a matted mess. If you can't commit to the brushing, you have to commit to frequent trimming or clipping to keep the coat short and sanitary. A shorter coat is really easy to care for.
4. The independent temperament. Sighthounds are very different from other kinds of dogs. They are independent thinkers who don't particularly care about pleasing you. They may display passive resistance by bracing their legs and refusing to move. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. Read my free online training programs.
5. Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Afghan Hounds need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become extreme shyness, which is difficult to live with.
6. Emotional sensitivity. Be honest... is there tension in your home? Are people loud or angry or emotional? Are there arguments or fights? Afghan Hounds are extremely sensitive to stress and can end up literally sick to their stomachs, with severe digestive upsets and neurotic behaviors, if the people in their home are having family problems. Sighthounds are peaceful dogs who need a peaceful, harmonious home.

   If you have young children, I do not recommend an Afghan Hound. These sensitive dogs often feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making – and stress and shyness may be the result.