The Afghan Hound is known for its unique, elegant, and refined appearance. It’s no wonder that they are popular competitors in dog shows. Here are a few facts about Afghan Hounds:

1. The Afghan Hound is an Ancient Dog Breed

It is hard to tell exactly how far back the Afghan Hound’s origins go. What we do know is that they pre-date written history. So far, the breed can be traced back to a few thousand years before written history.

They originated across the vast mountainous regions that make up modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India where they were developed as hunting companions by people living in remote mountain villages and locales. It is possible that they are one of the oldest purebred dog breeds.

2. They Are Athletic and Hardy Dogs

With their long, thick, and silky coats, tall, spindly legs, and refined appearance, Afghan Hounds may not look like athletic dogs and may seem like unconventional hunting dogs. However, these dogs were bred to be fast, have endurance and stamina, and are excellent sighthounds.

Their long coats may look elegant and refined, but they also serve a purpose. They kept these hunting dogs warm and protected from the harsh mountain climates and were developed specifically to avoid slowing them down.

Afghan Hounds also have larger-than-expected paw pads that were developed to help them navigate rugged and rough terrain. Their huge paw pads helped absorb shock while running and helped them gain traction while on the hunt.

3. Afghan Hounds Became Royal Status Symbols

Their looks may have served a purpose, but they also helped these dogs become noble companions valued for both their hunting skills and their appearance. Aristocrats, royals, and tribal chieftains in these regions often had Afghan Hounds as noble companions and they specifically became status symbols for nobility and royalty.

4. They Look Different as Puppies

Afghan Hound puppies are interesting in that the coat they are born with changes as they grow and so does the maintenance. As puppies, Afghan Hounds have short, fuzzy coats that do not require much maintenance. They also have what breed enthusiasts call “monkey whiskers”, which are some facial hair puppies have that they will grow into.

As Afghan Hound puppies grow, they start growing the thick, long, and silky coat that adult Afghan Hounds are known for. Once this starts growing in, their coat will need daily brushing to remove tangles and keep it from matting. They’ll also need professional grooming and bathing throughout the year to keep their coat healthy and looking great.

5. An Afghan Hound Was the First Cloned Dog

The first successfully cloned dog was an Afghan Hound named Snuppy in 2005. A group of researchers in South Korea from Seoul National University culled a single cell from an Afghan Hound’s ear and produced a cloned Afghan Hound puppy.

Although other mammals had been successfully cloned previously, beginning with Dolly the sheep in 1996, dogs seemed to be particularly difficult to clone successfully compared to those cases. They named him Snuppy, a combination of S.N.U. for Seoul National University and “puppy”, and he was named Time’s Most Amazing Invention of 2005.

6. They Are Fast

Afghan Hounds are known to be excellent sighthounds and quick on their feet. But, these dogs are fast. Afghan Hounds can run about 40 miles per hour! For comparison, Greyhounds tend to average around 45 miles per hour while Thoroughbred racehorses tend to run over 40 miles per hour.

This is one of the reasons why Afghan Hounds tend to excel at lure coursing, agility, and other popular dog sports where being fast pays off. It’s also another reason not to let your Afghan Hound off-leash unless they are in a securely fenced area. If they decide to run after something and decide not to listen to your recall commands, you won’t be able to catch them on foot until they slow down and stop.

7. Afghan Hounds Usually Enjoy Running

Because of their energy and background, Afghan Hounds usually enjoy running. They may be very fast over short distances and may run in full-out sprints every once in a while when they feel like it, but they can be a good fit for slower, longer runs too.

This makes them one of the dog breeds that make good running partners. Just make sure you keep them leashed as their prey drive and urge to chase makes them prone to getting distracted, running off, and ignoring recall.

Just make sure Afghan Hound puppies are fully grown and are cleared by the vet before doing high-impact activities like this. Too much, too hard, and too soon can damage developing bones and joints.

So, it is important to keep things low impact until puppies finish growing. Your vet can also help you determine when it is safe for your dog to start tackling higher-impact activities like going on runs with you.

8. They Are Excellent Jumpers

Afghan Hounds are lean and tall dogs. In addition to being fast and being able to run, they are also excellent jumpers. This can make them a great fit for agility training, but it also means they can be talented escape artists, like Siberian Huskies.

Not only is it recommended to not let these dogs off leash unless they are in a securely fenced area, but it is also recommended to ensure that the fence is tall enough and sturdy enough that an Afghan Hound will not be able to jump over it. A tall fence, secure gate, and more are things that can help keep your dog from escaping the yard.

9. Afghan Hounds Can Be Independent

Afghan Hounds are extremely loyal and bond closely with their families. With their families, they are very affectionate and tend to be eager to please in training once that bond is built. However, in general, these dogs are still independent.

They tend to maintain a dignified demeanor and can come across as aloof to strangers. They may even be a little aloof with their families until that bond is built. It’s important to build a bond with your dog. This matters for any dog, but it is an essential step in gaining an Afghan Hound’s loyalty and affection.

10. Picasso Loved Afghan Hounds

There are many famous dog paintings from several artists throughout history. It’s no secret to fans of Picasso that he liked dogs. They popped up in several of his works. It’s rumored that his favorite was the Afghan Hound. He even owned two of them named Kasbek and Kaboul.

In 1962, he finished a painting called Femme au chien, which features an Afghan Hound in it. The titular dog is said to be Kaboul, Picasso’s own beloved Afghan Hound. This painting was sold by a private collector in 2019 for $54.9 million during the Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale at Sotheby’s New York.

11. Afghan Hounds Were a Barbie Pet

Mattel and Barbie have some credit for helping to make the Afghan Hound popular. Beauty was the name of an Afghan Hound that was Barbie’s pet. It was released in 1979 and as Barbie’s popularity, reach, and influence increased, so did the Afghan Hound’s.

Is an Afghan Hound Puppy Right For You?

These are just a few facts about Afghan Hounds. This dog breed can be a great fit for active single owners and families who have some experience with dogs and can give them the attention and exercise they need to be happy and healthy.

If you think an Afghan Hound is the right dog breed for you, learn more about them and then check out the available Afghan Hound puppies. Who knows? You could end up finding your new best friend!