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.
|
|
| Breed Name |
Afghan Hound |
| Country Of
Origin |
Afghanistan |
| Group |
Hound |
|
Coat: |
Long & Fine |
| Hight |
24" to 29" |
| Weight |
45 to 60 lbs |
| Temperament |
Reserved, Lively |
| Activity Level |
Very High |
| Learning Rate |
Very Low |
|
Litter Size |
6 to 8 |
| Life Span |
11 to 13 Years |
|
|
Other Names |
Baluchi Hound,
Sage Baluchi,
Tazi, Ogar Afgan |
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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.
If you are interested in a
Afghan
Hound
Puppy:
See our
PUPPIES FOR SALE
or use our
FREE PUPPY FINDER program. |
