Afghan Hound, Balkh Hound ~ Sage Baluchi ~ Tazi Afghanischer Windhund ~ Levrier Afghan

Family: Canidae

Description Afghan hounds are tall and slender with elongated, narrow heads. Their eyes are dark and almond shaped, and their ears flat on the head. The underside is concave, and the hips prominent. The tail is curled but does not go over the back. The Afghan's coat is long and silky, and comes in a variety of colors. The most common markings consist of a sandy color with a darker face and ear fringe, and white markings are considered unfavorable.
Afghans are large dogs. Males are 27 to 29 inches tall and weigh 58 to 64 pounds. Females are slightly smaller.

Care and Feeding This breed needs a diet high in fiber and carbohydrates. Good food choices include poultry, lamb, brown rice and wheat. The Afghan's gorgeous coat is very labor intensive. Weekly bathing is crucial if the dog is to be shown, and advisable if kept as a pet. This is because brushing the coat when it is dry will damage it, causing it to mat more easily. If you do not have the time to commit to frequent bathing and brushing, you'll need to keep the dog's coat trimmed short. A snood can protect your Afghan's ears from getting soaked with food while eating.
Afghan Hounds need annual checkups to stay healthy. Vaccinations are due as follows:

• 6-8 weeks: Distemper, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo, and Corona virus (DHLPPC)
• 10-12 weeks: Second DHLPPC
• 14-16 weeks: Third DHLPPC and rabies
• Annually: DHLPPC and rabies booster
  

The Afghan sheds moderately. If kept inside, frequent vacuuming is advisable. Allergies are also common in the breed, so regular dusting is important. An air purifier may help reduce allergy symptoms for dogs kept indoors.

Housing Your Dog Afghans need plenty of room to exercise. It is inactive when indoors, and is not the best choice for apartment life. It may live outdoors full-time, but usually prefers to sleep indoors. Sturdy food and water bowls are important, because the Afghan may chew them if bored or nervous. It's also a good idea to provide a soft bed, because this breed's protruding bones could cause sores if it sleeps on a hard surface.