Afghan Hound
The supermodel of the dog world.
- Weight
- 50–60 lbs
- Height
- 25–27 in
- Lifespan
- 12–15 yrs
In short
The Afghan Hound is an ancient sighthound from the mountains of Afghanistan, bred to chase hare and gazelle across rough ground. Adults weigh 50–60 lbs and live 12–15 years. Under the famous coat is an independent hunter: recall is unreliable, so plan on a leash or a fully fenced area for life.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a calm, cat-like dog indoors
- enjoy grooming and can give it hours a week
- have a securely fenced yard or coursing club nearby
Think twice if you…
- expect off-leash walks in open country
- want an eager-to-please obedience partner
- have small pets that run
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 120–135 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityIndependent thinker4.0/10
EnergyActive7.5/10
Calm at homeNeeds outlets4.0/10
SheddingLight shedder3.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Silky full coat
Long, fine hair covers all but the back and face, and it mats within days if brushing slips.
-
02
Prominent hip bones
High, wide-set hips and a springy gait give the turning power of a hound built for rocky hills.
-
03
Ring-curled tail
The tail ends in a ring or curl, carried high when the dog is moving or excited.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 55–60 lbs | 50–55 lbs |
| Height | 26–27 in | 25–26 in |
| Lifespan | 12–15 yrs | |
| Coat | Long, fine, silky coat; adults grow a short saddle along the back | |
Personality
Indoors they are quiet, dignified and often lazy, then explode into sprints and silly play with their own family. They decide for themselves whether a request is worth doing. Affection comes on their terms.
With kids
Gentle and tolerant with calm, older children, but not a fan of grabbing or rough play.
With other pets
Usually fine with other dogs, especially other sighthounds. Small pets and cats that run can trigger the chase.
With strangers
Aloof and reserved rather than aggressive. Expect polite indifference, not a greeting.
Alone time
Handles a normal workday once settled in, but boredom can bring chewing or digging.
Training
Afghans learn quickly but see little point in repetition. Keep it short, make it worth their while, and quit before they get bored.
-
How often
2–3 sessions of 5–10 minutes a day, ending each one on a win.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Use 8–16 weeks for grooming and handling: brushing, bathing, the dryer, nail trims and table work. Add calm strangers so aloofness doesn't turn into shyness.
-
Self-control
A solid recall around distractions is the hardest and most important skill, but never trust it in open country. Practice a wait at doors and car hatches every day.
-
What it works for
Small, high-value pieces of food work best; most Afghans have little interest in fetch. Freeze-dried liver is one option. Keep treats within 10% of daily calories.
Exercise
Afghans need daily walks plus regular chances to run flat out in a securely fenced space. A lure-coursing session tires them better than any walk.
Exercise a day
60–90 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Lure coursing
- Off-leash sprints in a fenced field
- Long, brisk on-leash walks
Brain work
- Scent and sniffing games
- Short trick sessions
- Food puzzles
Best home
A house with a tall, secure fence is ideal; apartments work only with a committed daily running plan.
Watch for Prey drive overrides recall, so let them run only in fully enclosed areas, and check fences, since many can clear 5 ft.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Afghan Hound (50–60 lbs) lands around 1,175–1,325 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 1,450–1,675 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 145–170 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 7–8 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 1,175–1,325 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 120–135 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 6–7 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 1,600–1,825 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 160–185 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 8–9 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 1,025–1,175 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 105–120 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–6 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 1,450–1,675 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 145–170 kcal | 7–8 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 1,175–1,325 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 120–135 kcal | 6–7 pieces |
| Active / Working | 1,600–1,825 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 160–185 kcal | 8–9 pieces |
| Senior | 1,025–1,175 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 105–120 kcal | 5–6 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Afghans are generally sturdy; the main concerns are hips, eyes, thyroid and the grooming load itself. Choose a breeder who screens and tell your vet it's a sighthound before any anesthesia.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder for results) |
| Juvenile cataracts and other eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) | Yearly in breeding dogs |
| Hypothyroidism | OFA thyroid panel | Once in breeding dogs; recheck if weight or coat changes |
| Anesthesia sensitivity | Discuss sighthound-safe anesthesia with your vet | Before every procedure |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Afghan Hound breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Thyroid panel
Grooming Low shedding, but mats quickly without frequent brushing
Brush to the skin 2–3 times a week (daily while the puppy coat changes, around 1–2 years). Bathe and fully blow-dry every 1–2 weeks; dirty coats mat faster. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week.
History
Ancient
Mountain hunter
Bred by hunters in the hills of Afghanistan to chase hare, gazelle and other game by sight. Genetic studies place the breed among the oldest dog types.
Early 1900s
Arrival in the West
British officers brought Afghans to England in the early 1900s, and imports in the 1920s founded the Western breed.
1926–1970s
Show-ring star
The AKC recognized the breed in 1926, and its glamorous look made it a fashionable show and pet dog in the decades that followed.
Questions owners ask
Are Afghan Hounds easy to train?
No. They learn fast but are independent and easily bored, so short, food-rewarded sessions work best. Recall is the weak spot and should never be trusted in unfenced areas.
Are Afghan Hounds good with kids and other pets?
With calm, older children, usually yes. They get along with other dogs, but small, fast pets can trigger the chase instinct, so introduce cats carefully.
How much exercise does an Afghan Hound need?
About 60–90 minutes a day: brisk walks plus regular chances to sprint in a fully fenced area. Lure coursing is an excellent outlet.
Do Afghan Hounds shed?
Very little, but the grooming is serious. Plan on brushing to the skin several times a week and a bath with a full blow-dry every week or two.
What health problems do Afghan Hounds have, and how long do they live?
Most live 12–15 years. Watch for hip dysplasia, juvenile cataracts and hypothyroidism, and make sure your vet knows sighthounds can be sensitive to some anesthetics.
Is an Afghan Hound good for apartments or first-time owners?
Usually not. They can be calm indoors, but the grooming, independence and need for safe off-leash running are a lot for a first dog.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Afghan Hound needs only 6–7 pieces a day, well inside the 120–135 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Afghan Hound ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Afghan Hound
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
