Breed library

Afghan Hound

Afghan Hound photograph.
Afghan dog - cropped.jpg - Weaveravel. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Afghan_dog_-_cropped.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Breed overview

The Afghan Hound is a sighthound from Afghanistan, developed for hunting in demanding terrain. Its long, fine coat, prominent hipbones and ring at the tip of the tail give it a distinctive outline.

  • Breed classification: sighthoundBreed reference breed group.
  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: AfghanistanBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • Zardin, imported from India in 1907, influenced the Afghan Hound breed standard written in 1912.
  • The Bell-Murray and Ghazni lines contributed different coat types to the modern breed.
  • The breed's outline includes prominent hipbones and a small ring at the end of the tail.
  • The long topknot and shorter-haired saddle are distinct parts of the coat.
  • Afghan Hounds participate in lure coursing, a sport that draws on their sighthound heritage.

Size and appearance

A long topknot contrasts with the shorter-haired saddle across the back. The fine-textured coat can appear in many colors, and some individuals have a dark facial mask or a small beard known as a mandarin.

  • Body mass reference: 23 kgBreed reference body mass. mean, adult, female.
  • Body mass reference: 27 kgBreed reference body mass. mean, adult, male.
  • Body mass reference: 20 - 27 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 20 - 27 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 63 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum, adult.
  • Height reference: Up to 69 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum, adult.
  • Height reference: Up to 74 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum, adult.
  • Height reference: 68 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum, adult.
  • Height reference: 61 - 73 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 61 - 73 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Coat length: long
  • Height category: very_tall
  • Height category: tall
  • Weight category: medium
  • Weight category: large

Personality and behavior

The article describes an often reserved, dignified dog that can be playful with familiar people. Sighthound prey drive is a practical consideration around smaller animals, but an individual dog needs its own assessment.

Exercise and activities

Lure coursing is one activity associated with this sighthound. Its hunting history and interest in moving animals matter when choosing a secure place for activity; they do not establish a daily exercise-minute prescription.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

The long, fine-textured coat requires substantial care. The source distinguishes this coat from the shorter saddle on the back; a grooming plan needs to account for both rather than treating the whole body as one uniform coat.

  • Coat length: long

Health and lifespan

A UK study found a life expectancy of 11.1 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

  • Lifespan reference: Up to 14 yearsBreed reference lifespan years.
  • Lifespan reference: 12 years or moreBreed reference lifespan years.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed history

Modern show-breed development drew on dogs imported to Britain from the region. Zardin, brought from India in 1907, influenced the first breed standard in 1912. Later Bell-Murray and Ghazni lines contributed different coat types to the modern breed.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  2. Afghan Hound - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Afghan Hound, revision 1378195150. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afghan_Hound&action=history
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:Afghan dog - cropped.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Afghan dog - cropped.jpg - Weaveravel. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Afghan_dog_-_cropped.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.