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Although believed to be one of the oldest breeds in the world, the modern
history of this sight hound is mainly as a hunting and guard dog of Afghanistan
and Northern India. The first Afghan Hounds came to Great Britain in the
late 1800s and to the United States in the late 1930.
The Afghan in a bold animal and very courageous. Because he was bred to
run down animals such as deer, antelope, wolves, and leopards, he is a very
agile dog with great stamina. The Afghan is also very regal, highly dignified
and aristocratic in demeanor. Although he is not to be shy, he is reticent
around strangers. This fact and the care which his coat needs, means the
Afghan is not the dog for everybody.
The Afghan's head is long with little or no stop and has a level bite.
A topknot of long silky hair atop the head is an Afghan Hound characteristic.
To be able to do what he was bred for, his structure must enable him to
adapt to various types of terrain from broken, boulder-strewn hill country
to vast deserts. He should move with a smooth and powerful stride.
Distinctive
to the Afghan is the hair on the shoulders, back, saddle and flank which
is short and silky in the adult dog . The hair on the rest of the body is
long, silky and fine in texture. All colors are acceptable but white markings
on the head are not desired. The height and weight of the Afghan should
range from 26 to 28 inches and 60 pounds in males and from 24 to 26 inches
and 50 pounds in females.
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