Where the Afghan Hound came from
The Afghan Hound is an old breed from the mountains and deserts of Afghanistan. Dogs of this type were bred for speed and for hunting game over rough, cold ground. The long coat helped them cope with cold in the hills.
In the 1800s, British army officers returning from India brought sighthounds to England. In 1907 Captain John Barff brought a dog named Zardin, who became the model for the first breed standard in 1912. Show breeders then built the breed in Britain and the United States.
The AKC recognized the Afghan Hound in 1926. Today they are mostly show and companion dogs, with some used in lure coursing.
- Ancient times Sighthound types hunt in the mountains of Afghanistan
- 1907 Captain John Barff brings a dog named Zardin to England from India
- 1926 The AKC recognizes the Afghan Hound
- 2005 An Afghan Hound named Snuppy, born in South Korea, becomes the first cloned dog
The job a Afghan Hound was bred for
The work was running down game across rocky, uneven land, often far from the hunter. The dog needed speed, springy legs, and independence. Owners still see an aloof, dignified dog who is loyal to family, slow to warm up to strangers and not very interested in obeying for its own sake.
Sports that fit a Afghan Hound
- Lure coursing. They were made for this kind of chase.
- Fast CAT. A safe, fast sprint.
- Canicross. Moderate running with you suits many of them.
- Trick dog. A gentle way to teach them to work with you.
Training tips for a Afghan Hound
- Use patience and short sessions. They are sensitive and can look like they are ignoring you when they are simply bored.
- Practice recall on a long line, and never rely on it off-leash.
- Reward everything you like with food or a favorite game. Harsh handling backfires with this breed.
- Get them used to brushing, bathing and nail trims early and with treats.
Body and health
The long coat needs regular care, and thin, long legs make high-impact jumping a poor choice. Afghans tend to be sensitive to some anesthesia, so tell your vet.
Fun fact. An Afghan Hound named Snuppy was the first cloned dog, born in South Korea in 2005.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Afghan Hound is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Looking for a different breed? See what 75 breeds were bred to do.