Afghan Hounds Are A Piece Of Art Wrapped In Fur, So Taking Care of Them is a Task But An Easy One!

Afghan Hounds are the majestic and gorgeous dogs who we cannot take our eyes off. They are one of the unique breeds that are mesmerizing because of their beautiful, long, and lush coating.

Afghan Hounds are very ladylike and chic dog breeds and for them, you need to care a little extra, but you know it’s all worth it because they are pretty smart, intelligent, and loyal, apart from their show-stopping appearance.

However, people are generally concerned about Afghan Hound’s caring needs because, for some people, it's too much. Well, you need to work hard and be careful with something precious and as beautiful as Afghan Hounds.

Afghan Hounds originated in Afghanistan, as their name suggests but most of today’s breed originated from Great Britain in the 20th century, so another factor in their care is temperature, as they are not very fond of heat and would like to live in cooler places. We should look out for these precious breeds because they need special care for their unique coat.

Grooming

Grooming is the main concern for every Afghan Hound parent and it must be because they have beautiful long and silky hair, which needs extra care and a lot of attention; otherwise, you will lose your beautiful dog’s precious look. Don’t take stress; the grooming part is a little time-consuming but it is worth it.

So first things first, you have to brush their long and lush hair multiple times a week. Try to brush their hair at least 3-4 times a week to prevent it from getting tangled and as they are generally dander-free because of a lack of undercoat, it will make your work easier. To protect their gorgeous hair from mats, you need to use a pin brush or slicker brush.

As we all know, their hair is pretty long and keeps growing, so you should regularly trim their hair around their feet so that they don’t trip, and don’t forget to trim around their ear because dog ears are very sensitive and tend to get infections, so make sure no hair goes inside the ear. If you don’t want to trim their hair around their ear, you can do different hairstyles like a top bun or tie knot; these will elevate your Afghan hound’s look.

Bathe them every 2-3 weeks and use shampoo and conditioners that are mild to prevent skin problems and have silky and shiny long hair. Also, you have to use a hair dryer because their long hairs will take time to dry so keep the dryer in a mild heat setting.

Exercise Requirements

Even though Afghan Hounds look like they are delicate and soft kind of dogs who like to get a princess treatment, they actually aren’t. These dogs are very athletic and sporty.

They do not like to lie down in one corner of the house for the entire day because they are very active and would do different things to keep themselves entertained and engaged. So if you are getting an Afghan hound, we must tell you that you have to give them a lot of time for their grooming and their exercise.

They need at least two long walks a day and they should really long for 30-40 minutes each. And please do leave them off leash but in a fenced field because these are hunting dogs and they might go beyond lengths due to their hunting instincts.

So make sure you give them freedom and time and train them well so they don’t go chasing some innocent animal or maybe humans. These dogs are independent and very confident so you must give them puzzles and scent games kind of things to keep them engaged and stimulated both mentally and physically.

Diet & Nutrition

Afghan hounds are generally medium-sized dogs so you need a diet for them accordingly. Just like any other dog, they need a good and healthy diet packed with nutrients and protein for good health and shiny, long hair.

You have to give them 2-3 cups of dry kibble daily and split them into two meals but remember to adjust the quantity of their food according to their activity level and remember that they are prone to obesity, which is not good for their joints. So, be mindful before giving them any food.

Okay, so we must tell you that some Afghan hounds have sensitive stomachs, so they may benefit from grain-free or hypoallergenic diets. And, and the most important thing is Omega-3 in their diet because these will help them have a good, lustrous, silky, and long coat, which is their main feature.

Training & Socialization

You must be thinking that the Afghan hounds are intelligent, smart, and loyal, so they must be easy to train, but actually, it is not entirely true. They are no doubt trainable but sometimes they are too stubborn and aloof because of their aloof and independent nature.

So you have to start as soon as possible to start their training and they work well in positive reinforcement so make sure you need to be patient and praise them and give rewards. Do not punish them because, as we said, they are pretty stubborn. Introduce them to different environments, people, and animals from a young age to prevent shyness.

The most important part is to train them extensively in recalling because their hunting nature might make them aloof and too focused on something they are aiming for as prey. Also, if you are getting an Afghan hound as a watchdog, then don’t because they are quiet and do not bark often, so it must be better to look for some other breed for a watchdog.

Living Environment

Afghan hounds are medium dogs who need space to stretch and enough room to roam around and play and do other activities. So, make sure you have big rooms for your Afghan hound and not some apartment.

They are prone to developing calluses on hard surfaces, so make sure you give them soft beds and take care of the temperature because they cannot live in extreme temperatures. Too much cold or too much heat is not good for them. So give them a coat in winter and make sure that they have access to shade and water in hot weather.