Afghan Hound Dog Breed Information
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13 to 14 years
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Extravagant *
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Star
Superstar
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Rare
Easy to get
Introduction
An Afghan Hound is one of the most elegant and royal dog breeds in the world. Also called the King of Sight Hounds, this majestic breed is also considered one of the oldest breeds in the World. As its name suggests, an Afghan Hound hails from the mountainous region of Afghanistan where it was originally named Tazi Spay and its origin is believed to date back to the pre- Christian era. Legend has it that an Afghan Hound was one the dogs that was rescued in Noah’s Arc. Paintings and murals of AFghan Hounds have been found in ancient Afghan Caves which depict them hunting in the ancient times. Aristocratically beautiful, Afghan Hounds were originally used as hunting dogs in the desert and mountainous region of Afghanistan where they could run and cover great distances and hold off their prey till their handler would catch up. Today, Afghan Hounds are in the league of luxurious pets especially in the US and Europe. If you are planning to get an Afghan Hound as a pet, you would need to be certain of the physical and temperamental attributes of this royal breed.
History
It is believed that the origin of an Afghan Hound dates back to pre christian era as there are cave paintings in Afghanistan as old as 4000 years which depict their presence. In addition to this, there are paintings of Afghan Hounds in 6th Century BC Greek tapestries as well. As per records, an English officer stationed in Kabul Afghanistan first documented and transported Afghan Hounds to England in 1925 and later to the United States of America. The American Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1926 and an official application for membership by the Afghan Hound Club was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1940. Zeppo Marx was one of the first people to bring an Afghan Hound to the States. However, their popularity really grew when Mattel Toys introduced an Afghan Hound as a pet for Barbie, one of the most popular and sought after toy figure of countless American girls.
Unique Aspects
Afghan Hounds or Tazi are sight hounds and hunt by the sight and speed instead of sound and endurance. Since they are a part of the sighthound family, they are blessed with a vision angle of 270 degrees unlike other dogs who may only have a vision angle of 180 degrees. The main reason for this advantage is the dolichocephalic skull that a Afghan Hound has, which helps them to achieve this vision, it is three times in length when compared to its width which aids them in chasing their prey without losing out of its sight. Afghan Hounds are a beautiful dog breed and are commonly referred to as the runway supermodels of the canine world. Blessed with long lustrous coats and elegant build, Afghan Hounds have made their way to print, Television and online media for various luxury products. Afghan Hounds were bred to hunt deer, gazelle and leopard and hence can run really fast, often clocking speeds at 40 miles per hour, which is almost equivalent to the speed of a racing horse. One of the most unique aspects of an Afghan Hound is that they are hypersensitive to pain and injury. As a result, owners of Afghan Hounds have to be careful with the surroundings that they Afghan Hound plays in as the smallest of injury can bring a lot of pain to them. There are many owners who will vouch for their amusing tactics and commonly refer to them as clowns and will love to share the stories of their mischievousness and their ability to steal objects right under your nose.
Fun Trivia
This majestic looking breed was worth saving even for Noah that is the reason he got them in the ark to save them from the 40 days of flood. The regal appearance of this breed caught the fancy of famous artist Pablo Picasso as well when he made his untitled sculpture with inspiration from his pet. These supermodels have been featured in various movies as well.
Movie Character
The Afghan Hound is known for its lustrous and long hair, which almost touches the floor. This is one of the prime reasons they are such a success in various Dog Shows across the world. This lustrous coat has made them appear in various movies as well. Such as Balto, Lady and the Tramp, The Star, Go to Mars, Hound of Baskervilles and Whiskey and Soda. They have been included in various Budweiser commercials as well.
Celebrity Afghan Hound owners
One of the most famous celebrity owners include the famous renaissance artist Pablo Picasso, Stevie Nicks, comedian Zeppo Marx as well as Indira Gandhi. You will be surprised to know that Snuppy the first dog to be cloned was an Afghan Hound.
Vital Stats:
Dog Breed Group: Hound Dogs
Height: 24-29 Inches
Weight: 22-24 Kg
Life Span: 13 to 14 years
Pros
- Majestic looking breed with its lustrous coat
- Suitable for all weather and terrain
- Makes ideal pet for people with high exercise level
Cons
- Requires a lot a grooming and can even require professional help
- Not suitable with small pets and children
- Sensitive to pain so requires extra care
