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Afghan Hound Facts & Worksheets

Dignified, profoundly loyal, and aristocratic, the Afghan Hound represents sublime beauty through its regal and elegant appearance.

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Dignified, profoundly loyal, and aristocratic, the Afghan Hound represents sublime beauty through its regal and elegant appearance. Unique and ancient, the Afghan Hound is distinguishable for its dramatic silky coat, peculiar face, and thin, fashion-model stature.

See the fact file below for more information on the Afghan Hound or alternatively, you can download our 21-page Afghan Hound worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

  • Afghan Hounds have been determined as a basal breed that preceded the evolution of the contemporary breeds in the 19th century. These dogs are closely related to the Saluki, a standardized breed developed from sighthounds.
  • Modern day purebred Afghan Hounds are the descendants of dogs imported to Great Britain in the 1920s which King Amanullah of the Afghan Royal Family offered as gifts. Some were kept as hunting dogs, while others served as guard dogs.
  • Documents that reflect modern Afghan Hounds to particular Afghan owners or places are lacking. There are a number of theories about the Afghan Hound’s roots and possible connections with the ancient world among enthusiasts and in non-scientific breed books and websites. Links with other types of breeds from the same region may give clues as to their history.
  • Tazi, a term for a desert-dwelling Afghan Hound, suggests a common ancestry with the not so uncommon Tasy breed from the Caspian Sea area of Russia and Turkmenistan.
  • Other strains of identical appearance are the Taigan from the mountainous Tian Shan region located on the Chinese border of Afghanistan, and the Barakzay, or Kurram Valley Hound.
  • There are at least 13 kinds acknowledged in Afghanistan, and some are bred and kept as modern purebred breeds.
  • Once out of Afghanistan, the roots of the Afghan Hound breed became associated with that of the very first dog shows and the Kennel Club (UK). A number of sighthounds were imported to England in the 1800s by army officers arriving from British India and were exhibited at dog shows, which were then just hitting the limelight, under a number of names, such as Barukzy hounds. The English called them “Persian Greyhounds”, in reference to their own indigineous sighthound.
  • Zardin, an Afghan Hound of the early 1900s, was brought from India by Captain Bariff, and later became the early standard for what was still called the Persian Greyhound. This dog was the foundation of the writing of the first breed standard in 1912, but breeding of the dogs paused during World War I.
  • From the long-haired sighthound strains found in Afghanistan, two main types make up the modern Afghan Hound. The first were a pack of hounds imported to Scotland from Balochistan by Major and Ms. G. Bell-Murray and Miss Jean C. Manson in 1920, named the Bell-Murray strain, which was of the lowland or steppe type, and less heavily coated.
  • The second strain was composed of a group of dogs from Mrs. Mary Amps’ kennel in Kabul, which she brought to England in 1925. Her Ghazni strain were the more heavily coated mountain breed.
  • The majority of Afghan Hounds found in the United States were bred from the Ghazni strain from England. The first Afghans in Australia were brought from the United States in 1934, also under this strain.

APPEARANCE

  • Generally, males are larger than females, reaching 27 inches tall and weighing 60 pounds. Females, on the other hand, are 25 inches in height and 50 pounds in weight.
  • The Afghan Hound is a noble breed; its whole presence displays dignity and aloofness without any trace of plainness or roughness. It has a direct front, proudly carried head, gazing into the distance as if reminiscing memories of the past.
  • The eye-catching characteristics of the breed include its exotic or “eastern” expression, long silky topknot, unique coat pattern, very distinguishable hip bones, huge feet, and the image of a somewhat exaggerated bend in the stifle caused by profuse trouserings.
  • An Afghan Hound’s head has good dimensions, displaying refinement, with an evenly balanced skull. Its nasal bone structure slightly sticks out, causing a somewhat Roman appearance. Its center line runs up over the foreface with little or no stop, falling away in front of the eyes.
  • Its tail is set slightly high on the body, creating a ring or a curve at the end.
  • The front legs lead directly forward, displaying great length between elbow and pastern. An Afghan Hound’s front feet are covered with long thick hair and are large in both dimensions, with the toes well-arched.
  • The Afghan Hound’s front and back quarters, ears, flanks, ribs, and legs are well-covered with thick, silky hair. According to the AKC, this breed should be displayed in its natural state – the coat is not clipped or trimmed.

PERSONALITY

  • This elegant breed is naturally a one-person or one-family dog. They are not good with guests; they will offend them by welcoming them with indifference.
  • Unlike other hounds which bark at strangers, the Afghan Hound does not make an excellent watchdog.
  • Afghan Hounds are independent breeds, making them difficult to train. They are naturally not stimulated by food and do not have the same strong will to please people as a number of other breeds, such as the Golden Retriever.
  • Rough handling can make this breed become withdrawn or slightly antagonistic. Gentle handling, compassion, and patience work best, with an understanding that there will be moments when they will not cooperate.
  • Their independent temperament and large stature make them best suited as an adult companion.
  • They are not good with children. A child’s fast movements and noise level can frighten an Afghan Hound.

HEALTH ISSUES

  • Afghan Hounds are prone to food allergies (symptoms include dry, itchy skin, too much scratching or licking, bald patches, and a number of hotspots), contact allergies (caused by a reaction to flea powders, dog shampoos, and other chemical substances), and inhalant allergies (brought about by airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and mildew). Cures for allergies depend on the cause and may include diet restrictions, medications, and a change in environment.
  • Just like humans, dogs can also suffer from cancer, such as tumors, and can be treated with chemotherapy and surgery.
  • Juvenile cataracts. An eye condition which causes difficulty seeing, usually affecting dogs even at an early age.
  • Underactive thyroid glands that are believed to cause epilepsy, hair loss, obesity, lethargy, dark patches on the skin, and other skin disorders.

KEEPING AN AFGHAN HOUND

  • Afghan Hounds love to be inside with their family. They are chilled dogs and calm inside the house but are usually energetic breeds which require exercise everyday. Activities may include a leash walk or run, even a free run in a fenced yard.
  • A high, secure fence is required if you plan to keep your Afghan Hound inside the yard. They are excellent escape artists and, once loose, are difficult to catch.

Afghan Hound Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Afghan Hound across 21 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Afghan Hound worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the European Recovery Program, commonly known as the Afghan Hound which represents sublime beauty through its regal and elegant appearance. Unique and ancient, the Afghan Hound is distinguishable for its dramatic silky coat, peculiar face, and thin, fashion-model stature.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Afghan Hound Facts
  • Elegance Personified
  • Breed Standards
  • Fancy Facts
  • Growing Up Elegant
  • Afghan Hound FAQs
  • Breed Comparison
  • Coat Colors
  • Breed Standard Grooming
  • Decision Making
  • Adopting an Afghan Hound

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Link will appear as Afghan Hound Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 3, 2020

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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