The Afghan Hound may be one of the oldest modern dogs in existence today. This breed's history goes back at least 5,000 years into ancient Egypt, though its modern ancestors mostly likely come from Afghanistan, by which it gets its name.

The Afghan Hound is a spry, intelligent, and beautiful dog. Like most sight hounds, they are usually quite gentle, in spite of their large size. They are friendly, yet due to their breeding, they do like to harass small to medium animals, unless they have been introduced to them at an early age. They sometimes appear distant and can be wary of strangers. Noises bother them, especially strange ones. It is necessary to obedience train them when they are young to develop them socially. They require lots of space and always have a watchful eye. When they lose interest in their current activity, they can be harmful to their surroundings. If you discipline them at such times, you run the risk of them not understanding, since they are such independent dogs. They are elite and somehow feel quite comfortable surrounded by the finer things in life. They are majestically inclined and it shows in all aspects of their world. They can be hyperactive one moment and elegant the next. They are strong, sprightly, and capable of some rather athletic feats. Having large feet gives them the support they need for these endeavors. They can withstand chilly, damp and blustery climates. They are endowed with enough swiftness to avoid adversaries, making them bold hunters when necessary. One thing potential owners should consider is that these dogs require significant grooming, which may take more time than the average person is willing to give.

The Afghan Hound's silky coat is beautiful, both in length and texture. It is quite dense and lustrous, though the fur on its back is shorter than the rest of the body. The color can be anywhere from light to dark golden blonde, all the way to black.

Although noble, stylish, fierce in competition, its origins are rough and unrefined. Though originating in the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan, they were discovered by the Western world, during the 19th century. There is the possibility of Afghan Hounds being outside Afghanistan in the early 20th century. In 1925 an officer in Kabul sent his dogs to his native England and became the first Western breeder.

They first appeared in the USA in 1926, gaining admittance to AKC membership as the Afghan Hound Club of America in 1940, which was also their first show. An antiquated breed that was developed to hunt big, as well as small game, by nomads from the Middle East, which were eclectic in their customs and in their civilization. Because leaders such as Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan ravaged the land with their warring, much of the Afghan Hound's history has been lost.

They were separated into two types, but some tribes that were independent developed their own, differing in color and fur. The two different types are the desert dogs and the mountain dogs. The desert one is thinner, with shorter hair. The mountain one is shorter in height, with thicker hair and much more muscle and is what the American show dog resembles. The high socialites were taken with this breed, and Zeppo Marx, of the infamous Marx brothers, had two dogs, which became the beginning of Pride's Hill Kennel, located in Massachusetts.

Much care is needed with the Afghan Hound, so if you feel you do not have the time to cater to this wondrous animal, then you should rethink your choice. They must be brushed on a regular basis and as they grow out of puppyhood, must be continually checked for snarls that can quickly become huge mats of fur, which can be irritating if left alone.

Afghans require a lot of exercise and should be offered the chance to run in a fenced area, as well as with free runs with their owner, if properly trained. It is more effective to brush them from the skin out, reducing the possibility of further twisting the hair into deeper mats. There are brushes that are more effective for this procedure.

Many people chose this breed because they are so exquisite, yet, with little conception of their strong grooming needs. They are, for the most part, healthy, with little hip dysplasia, sensitive to whole milk, pesticides and even some anti-flea ingredients, and can succumb to certain thyroid conditions. Because they can react to anesthesia, it is preferable to some breeders not to x-ray their dogs, which is sometimes necessary in determining certain joint deterioration. They also are prone to suffering from cataracts. They can be very sensitive to severe training, so know the appropriate care. Being gentle works better than being rough. The bond with this animal can be strong if trained properly.

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