Afghan Hound

Temperament

The Afghan Hound is dignified, independent and aloof with strangers, but not timid. It bonds with its family on its own terms: it enjoys closeness but doesn't seek attention the way a retriever does. It is not a dog that lives to follow commands: many Afghans learn quickly but respond only when they decide it makes sense, which is why recall is often their weakest point. Its chase instinct is very strong: a cat, a hare or a small dog on the move can make it vanish from sight in seconds. Indoors it can be calm, almost catlike, but young dogs can be surprisingly mischievous and energetic. It rarely barks. It is sensitive to harsh handling, so training should be built on patience and motivation.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Afghan Hound for?

The Afghan Hound suits an experienced, patient person with a house, a tall fence and time for both long runs and daily grooming. It will be appreciated by someone who likes independent dogs and doesn't expect shepherd-style obedience. In Poland, keeping a sighthound also requires a permit from the county authorities. Skip it if you have cats or small pets at home, want a dog to let off leash in the woods, or don't enjoy brushing.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The Afghan Hound needs a lot of exercise: the Royal Kennel Club and PDSA suggest more than two hours a day. Running free matters to it, but only in a well-fenced area, because the chase instinct usually wins out over recall. It excels at lure coursing and sighthound racing. Grooming takes the most time: the long adult coat mats easily, so it needs daily brushing and regular baths with conditioner; the change from puppy coat to adult coat can be especially demanding. It helps to protect the ears at mealtimes (with a snood, for example) so they don't fall into the bowl. A yard with a tall, secure fence is a big plus. Keep training sessions short, interesting and reward-based, without force.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Afghan Hound usually lives 11–14 years; UK data give an average of about 11 years. The breed is prone to chylothorax, a buildup of lymph fluid in the chest, and its deep chest raises the risk of bloat. Hypothyroidism, necrotizing myelopathy leading to limb weakness, laryngeal paralysis and bone inflammation in young dogs are also described. Like many sighthounds, the Afghan has little body fat and may be sensitive to anesthetics and corticosteroids, which is worth reminding your vet about. The Royal Kennel Club places the breed in Category 1 of Breed Watch and recommends hip screening for breeding dogs.

• chylothoraxLymph fluid building up in the chest makes breathing difficult; it occurs more often in Afghan Hounds than in other breeds.
• gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat, GDV)The deep chest increases the risk of this emergency.
• hypothyroidismSigns include lower energy and a poorer coat.
• necrotizing myelopathyLoss of the myelin sheaths in the spinal cord, which can lead to weakness or paralysis of the limbs.
• sensitivity to anestheticsAs in many sighthounds, low body fat calls for careful dosing of anesthesia.
• hip dysplasiaThe Royal Kennel Club recommends hip screening for breeding dogs.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The Afghan Hound comes from the mountains of Afghanistan, where it hunted hares, gazelles and other game, working independently over difficult terrain. It is sometimes called the Tazi, which points to its kinship with other Central Asian sighthounds. The first Afghans reached Britain in the early 20th century, and a dog named Zardin spectacularly won the Crystal Palace show in London in 1907. From then on the breed developed in the West, where it became a glamorous show dog. The FCI standard, held under British patronage, stresses, however, that the Afghan is still a hunter that must combine strength and dignity with its long, silky coat.

Fun facts

• An Afghan named Zardin won the Crystal Palace show in London in 1907.
• The FCI standard allows all colors except merle, but white markings on the head are highly undesirable.
• The breed is sometimes called the Tazi, like related sighthounds from Central Asia.
• The long hair on an Afghan's ears often reaches below the muzzle, which is why many owners use special snoods at mealtimes.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Large dog breeds
• Dogs that don’t shed (much)

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 228 – Afghan Houndfci.be
2. 2Royal Kennel Club – Afghan Houndroyalkennelclub.com
3. 3PetMD – Afghan Houndpetmd.com
4. 4PDSA – Afghan Hound breed informationpdsa.org.uk
5. 5Prawo łowieckie, art. 10 – hodowanie lub utrzymywanie chartów rasowych lub ich mieszańcówarslege.pl

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.