Afghan hound

[Sabledog]

dont know much about them but i really like him, how big do they get?

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=8122297

[borzoimom]

Afghans are a large sighthound. I am attaching a few links, includinig AKC standard on size.
Afghans are a typical sighthound- aloof ( not shy..) with strangers, and reserved in the house. It is more of a double type coat so daily brushing is a good idea. Its a good idea not however, to brush the dog with a dirty coat, as it will break the coat. Typical sighthounds, consider themselves royality, but also - seldom bark, wants the couch, and a good walk daily or a few minute run a few times a day. http://www.akc.org/breeds/afghan_hound/index.cfm

[Sabledog]

thanks, i just realized hubby's mom used to have some and she showed them for several years they are smaller than i though they would be the akc sight said 50-60 lbs!! i was thinking like 80+ lol

[sheplovr]

Hey Borziomom knows big rare dogs so go by her suggestions. She is truly good and honest. Beautiful dogs but tooooo big for me. Good luck honey:D

[dogluver4]

I know those hounds get quite large!

Though some people refer to them as "princesses" because of their elegance. They are beautfiul, interesting, large, loving dogs!

I think you'd like 'em!:D

[Borzoi mad]

I agree Aghans are a beautiful breed and as Borzoimon says a large sighthound and being a sighthound can be very stubborn and need careful handling. To keep thatbeautiful long flowing coat in perfect condition is a lot of work and I am sure Borzoimon would agree that like the Borzoi they prefer to be handled very quietly and very gently. If you want a dog who is easy to train in Obedience then don't go for an Afghan , but if you want a beautiful hound who will walk as far as you are prepared to walk him/her and can equally like the greyhound or borzoi be a couch potato, then the afghan is for you. You will never get to sit on your couch again tho ' lol .They are so elegant and so regal .

[borzoimom]

Oh yes for sure I agree. These large sighthounds need to be treated with dignity and respect. ( or as we joke- "awe, and royality..." lol).
Obedience stars- they arent-- Beautiful, loving gentle companions- they have that hands down!!. Training is done with gentleness almost making them think they thought of it. I use a old school teching method you use with little kids to teach them to read- "environmental learning". When the dog comes to you, " come", when they lay down " down", when they are standing naturally stacked " stand"..They remember this as that " you complied" with what they were doing at the time, so we must be a team.. Now some of you border collie/ shepherd people are laughing about now- but it works. If they think they thought of it, and learn the behavior associated with the word on THEIR OWN, they work with you verses against you. Its instinct for them to work as a pack naturally. Forcing training with these large sighthounds, you will get a " totally blonde stare" of " no body is home is in the brain.." - ie you have offended them. Its a regalness you can not quite put your finger on- but obviously there. They do not like rough housing with you- as they are quite aware of their "self". They will play with another sighthound- but its unspoken how- its a respect for the other one as well, and they will NOT tolerate a lack of respect from another dog.

- Because of this independance, although loving with children, they really are not for children. These large sighthounds are rapidly becoming the " seniors dog". - Stated that way because their loving, gentle, calm personality, and aweness of their size and 'where their body is" - they are the perfect older persons dog. They adore that you adore them...

Compared to other types of breeds, they are defined as aloof. I would not really say " aloof" as much as they do not need to be fawned over to know they are beautiful, and to know you think so too. -- And would rather not a loud speaking person ( ' for God sake I can hear you- no need to shout at me' mentality), or a stranger over touching them (' you might mess up my coat.. "- all of these statements are done with love and affection from me- as one that finds their sense of their own self rather appealing.
I have shepherds for years- WHAT A SMART BREED! However- at some point the physicalness of the breed became too old for me. A shepherd " lets down" to relax a few times a day- verses a sighthound- that " gets Up a few times a day.". Stated as being " cat like" meaning the cat will make its mind if it likes you, and can not be pushed towards your decission.
I find sighthounds the most loving, gentle, affectionate, docile breeds in the dog world. While the smaller ones are more active and busy- the larger ones are not. The only exception to the rule of sighthounds is the Irish Wolfhound, which does more body slamming play or manipulation than the other large ones. That breed also has the different life span of the others as well- Irish called the "heart break " breed for years as 8 years old is about the life span- verses the Borzio easily sitting at 15 years, Afghan hounds almost that at 13-14..
Also with children- remember- there is little body fat on these dogs, and a child falling on one of these gentle giants- it REALLY HURTS- like you hitting your funny bone- . By marriage I have two grandchildren.- we enforce you may pet the dog, but if the dog is laying down-- do not touch the dog.
*** I am not being negative about the breeds- it is better for future owners to know all aspects of a breed inheirant nature to make a good decission on whether or not this is something that is best for all parties. **
The coat of the Afghan is also thicker and requires alot of grooming. I have seen some smaller ones ( females usually) but typically, these are large breeds. Like all sighthounds- they are sensitive to chemicals ( again- no body fat), which includes anethesia, flea medications, shampoos even, and of course medications in general. They also do better with other sigthounds- dogs that are on the same page with them in how to play, and when to sleep, and who gets what couch.. I have 6 couches in the house- and we own one- the dogs have the others- no kidding! With this lack of body fat, thick beds is a requirement. Mine like to lay on the cool tile floor once in a while- but not for long, and not the desired place to take a good long nap. They are also not " watch dogs" in sense of how we see a watch dog. They seldom bark- and if they do- you better check it out. Instead they alert- by walking of pacing around that someone is near by. After all- if you are a mighty hunter, you do not want to "tip off your prey" that you are around. And their run is almost silent. Not the sound of a thundering horse- with all 4 paws hitting the ground in sucession- its one paw, that propels the body with alternating points of landing. Its this way of running that leads the animal they are after no clue just how fast the dog is traveling- like a deer in a cars headlights. Considering that they will chase anything- a white plastic bag, bubblebees- get stung- do it again- that drive to chase is too strong to turn off. All you can do is keep them safe- Fenced in areas are a must-- with the total understanding really they can easily go over a 6 foot fence if they want too. Not good with any small animal- once the chase starts unless the animal quits running- the game is on. We have a old buck that comes in our yard- and that smart old man just walks real slow- the dogs watch it go.. If another deer comes and runs through the yard- " let the game begin".

[borzoimom]

thanks, i just realized hubby's mom used to have some and she showed them for several years they are smaller than i though they would be the akc sight said 50-60 lbs!! i was thinking like 80+ lol
Remember- there is little body fat so 60 pounds in this body structure- is still a tall dog. Also- the standard is written as mininum.. Even in Borzois is states 28 at the shoulder- that would be considered a very small dog.. Zubin weighs 105 pounds- but he is also almost 36 inches at the shoulder! Greyhounds can be 30 at the shoulder and weight like 50 pounds- that is still a very tall dog, with long legs built for speed.

[Rainbow]

Am reading this thread with interest... especially the bit about Wolfhounds 'bodyslamming'. My puppy did this to my whippet the other day and made him limp for a couple of days...I thought it was because Flynt is still a clutz who isnt aware of his size..but is this a breed specific trait?

Also, I i read the bit about not been a watch dog. Jed, the whippet isnt a watch dog, rarely barks, rarely gets of the couch to see who is at the door.

Flynt (the wolfhound cross) on the other hand, loves the sound of his own voice (and what a booming voice it is) and will stand at the window and bark at passer bys, he is very territorial and protective. I am a little concerned about this actually, as he only likes 2 people and will bark at everyone else, he is ok with friends, if we ignore him and feed him treats, he will eventually come up to them for a pat. But he is very shy around strangers.

Does anyone else have a barking sighthound?

[borzoimom]

Am reading this thread with interest... especially the bit about Wolfhounds 'bodyslamming'. My puppy did this to my whippet the other day and made him limp for a couple of days...I thought it was because Flynt is still a clutz who isnt aware of his size..but is this a breed specific trait?

Also, I i read the bit about not been a watch dog. Jed, the whippet isnt a watch dog, rarely barks, rarely gets of the couch to see who is at the door.

Flynt (the wolfhound cross) on the other hand, loves the sound of his own voice (and what a booming voice it is) and will stand at the window and bark at passer bys, he is very territorial and protective. I am a little concerned about this actually, as he only likes 2 people and will bark at everyone else, he is ok with friends, if we ignore him and feed him treats, he will eventually come up to them for a pat. But he is very shy around strangers.

Does anyone else have a barking sighthound?
The pictures you posted I have no doubt he is a Irish.. They are more physical of the sighthounds... and its normal to be more reserved with strangers...