Information on AKC Afghan Hound Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Afghan Hound
Referred to as an aristocrat, the Afghan Hound’s appearance is one of dignity and aloofness. Well covered with thick, silky hair, very fine in texture, the Afghan hound’s coat is a sort found among animals native to high altitudes. They can come in all colors, and while the breed is an excellent hound (hunting by sight) its popularity here has been generated by the breeds’ spectacular qualities as a show dog.
A Look Back
The Afghan hound was discovered by the Western World in Afghanistan and surrounding regions during the 19th century. As the breed developed in Afghanistan, two distinct types evolved from the southern and western desert regions and the northern regions. During WWI, the breed literally disappeared in the Western world. The start of the Afghan Hounds we have today dates back to 1920, when a group of them was brought to Scotland.
Right Breed for You?
Known for being aloof, dignified, and for having a highly individualized personality, Afghan Hounds are prized and loved by their owners as companions and members of their family. However, it is important to take into account that their coat requires regular grooming, and their larger size necessitates regular exercise.
If you are considering purchasing an Afghan Hound puppy, learn more here.
- Hound Group; AKC recognized in 1926.
- Ideal size ranging from 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder and 50 to 60 pounds.
- Hunting dog; sight hound.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Afghan Hound Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Afghan Hound is an aristocrat, his whole appearance one of dignity and aloofness
with no trace of plainness or coarseness. He has a straight front, proudly carried
head, eyes gazing into the distance as if in memory of ages past. The striking
characteristics of the breed-exotic, or "Eastern," expression, long silky topknot,
peculiar coat pattern, very prominent hipbones, large feet, and the impression
of a somewhat exaggerated bend in the stifle due to profuse trouserings-stand
out clearly, giving the Afghan Hound the appearance of what he is, a king of
dogs, that has held true to tradition throughout the ages.
Head
The head is of good length, showing much refinement, the skull evenly balanced
with the foreface. There is a slight prominence of the nasal bone structure
causing a slightly Roman appearance, the center line running up over the foreface
with little or no stop, falling away in front of the eyes so there is an absolutely
clear outlook with no interference; the underjaw showing great strength, the
jaws long and punishing; the mouth level, meaning that the teeth from the upper
jaw and lower jaw match evenly, neither overshot nor undershot. This is a difficult
mouth to breed. A scissors bite is even more punishing and can be more easily
bred into a dog than a level mouth, and a dog having a scissors bite, where
the lower teeth slip inside and rest against the teeth of the upper jaw, should
not be penalized. The occipital bone is very prominent. The head is surmounted
by a topknot of long silky hair. Ears--The ears are long, set approximately
on level with outer corners of the eyes, the leather of the ear reaching nearly
to the end of the dog's nose, and covered with long silky hair. Eyes--The
eyes are almond-shaped (almost triangular), never full or bulgy, and are dark
in color. Nose--Nose is of good size, black in color. Faults--Coarseness;
snipiness; overshot or undershot; eyes round or bulgy or light in color; exaggerated
Roman nose; head not surmounted with topknot.
Neck
The neck is of good length, strong and arched, running in a curve to the shoulders
which are long and sloping and well laid back. Faults--Neck too short or too
thick; a ewe neck; a goose neck; a neck lacking in substance.
Body
The back line appearing practically level from the shoulders to the loin. Strong
and powerful loin and slightly arched, falling away toward the stern, with the
hipbones very pronounced; well ribbed and tucked up in flanks. The height at
the shoulders equals the distance from the chest to the buttocks; the brisket
well let down, and of medium width. Faults--Roach back, swayback, goose rump,
slack loin; lack of prominence of hipbones; too much width of brisket, causing
interference with elbows.
Tail
Tail set not too high on the body, having a ring, or a curve on the end; should
never be curled over, or rest on the back, or be carried sideways; and should
never be bushy.
Legs
Forelegs are straight and strong with great length between elbow and pastern;
elbows well held in; forefeet large in both length and width; toes well arched;
feet covered with long thick hair; fine in texture; pasterns long and straight;
pads of feet unusually large and well down on the ground. Shoulders have plenty
of angulation so that the legs are well set underneath the dog. Too much straightness
of shoulder causes the dog to break down in the pasterns, and this is a serious
fault. All four feet of the Afghan Hound are in line with the body, turning
neither in nor out. The hind feet are broad and of good length; the toes arched,
and covered with long thick hair; hindquarters powerful and well muscled, with
great length between hip and hock; hocks are well let down; good angulation
of both stifle and hock; slightly bowed from hock to crotch. Faults--Front or
back feet thrown outward or inward; pads of feet not thick enough; or feet too
small; or any other evidence of weakness in feet; weak or broken down pasterns;
too straight in stifle; too long in hock.
Coat
Hindquarters, flanks, ribs, forequarters, and legs well covered with thick,
silky hair, very fine in texture; ears and all four feet well feathered; from
in front of the shoulders; and also backwards from the shoulders along the saddle
from the flanks and the ribs upwards, the hair is short and close, forming a
smooth back in mature dogs - this is a traditional characteristic of the Afghan
Hound. The Afghan Hound should be shown in its natural state; the coat is not
clipped or trimmed; the head is surmounted (in the full sense of the word) with
a topknot of long, silky hair - that is also an outstanding characteristic of
the Afghan Hound. Showing of short hair on cuffs on either front or back legs
is permissible. Fault--Lack of shorthaired saddle in mature dogs.
Height
Dogs, 27 inches, plus or minus one inch; bitches, 25 inches, plus or minus one
inch.
Weight
Dogs, about 60 pounds; bitches, about 50 pounds.
Color
All colors are permissible, but color or color combinations are pleasing; white
markings, especially on the head, are undesirable.
Gait
When running free, the Afghan Hound moves at a gallop, showing great elasticity
and spring in his smooth, powerful stride. When on a loose lead, the Afghan
can trot at a fast pace; stepping along, he has the appearance of placing the
hind feet directly in the foot prints of the front feet, both thrown straight
ahead. Moving with head and tail high, the whole appearance of the Afghan Hound
is one of great style and beauty.
Temperament
Aloof and dignified, yet gay. Faults--Sharpness or shyness.
Approved September 14, 1948
