This article was co-authored by Jennifer Damon. Jennifer Damon is a Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of Love for Paws Dog Training in Richmond, VA. With over 10 years of experience training dogs, Jennifer specializes in determining the psychology that motivates dog behavior. As a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Jennifer is passionate about improving the communication between owners and their pets through gentle, scientifically-backed methods. She holds a BFA in Communication Arts from the University of Montevallo and a Certificate in Canine Behavior Consulting from The International College of Canine Studies.
There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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The Afghan Hound is often described as the King of Dogs, as it's one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. Its long, silky fur, narrow head, almond eyes, level mouth, and lanky frame give it a regal look. Several features, particularly its fur, should make the Afghan Hound easy to recognize. But, if you are not sure, there are a number of traits you can look for to verify that your dog is an Afghan Hound.
Steps
Recognizing an Afghan Hound by its Appearance
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1Look for long, silky fur. The most characteristic quality of an Afghan Hound is its long, silky coat, which drapes down its body. It also has a top-knot: a growth of long hair that flows down from its head. The dog can be any color and still meet breed standards.
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2Look for a lanky frame. The Afghan Hound has long legs, a long neck, and a standard length for a large dog. Afghans should stand approximately two feet tall and weigh fifty to sixty pounds.[3]Advertisement
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3Look for a long, narrow head. The head is long and thin, like a skinny prism. The nose protrudes and it should point slightly downwards when the Afghan Hound is looking straight ahead. The ears are big and floppy.
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4Look for a level mouth. One feature of Afghan Hounds that is rare among other breeds, is the way the teeth of their upper and lower jaw match evenly, instead of meeting in either an underbite or an overbite. Though, some Afghans have a scissors bite, in which the lower teeth rest against the back of the top teeth.[4]
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5Look for almond eyes. The eyes of an Afghan Hound should never be big. Instead they should be almond-shaped: thin with clearly defined points on both ends. The eyes should be a dark color.[5]
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6Look for a short, narrow tail. Unlike most of the Afghan's body, its tail should have short hair. The tail is relatively short and curves upward at the end, creating a semi-circle.[6] It can also be described as almost whip-like.
Considering the Afghan's Temperament
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1Look for the loner. As puppies, Afghan Hounds are oftentimes social and affectionate. This, however, will change as they get older. A mature Afghan Hound will want little attention, even from family, and will generally be entirely indifferent to new people.[7]
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2Watch for the slow learner. The Afghan Hound can be hard to train. Because they are independent, they can be stubborn and resistant to taking commands. With perseverance you can train them. However, expect them to be slow to adapt to even basic rules, like house training.[8]
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3Look out for a hunter. The Afghan Hound has strong hunter instincts. In practice, that means that it likes to chase smaller animals. If you can't get your dog to stop chasing the neighbor's cat, it might be an Afghan Hound.[9]
Verifying Your Dog's Breed
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1Get a pedigree from a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders selling purebred dogs should be able to show you a pedigree, a document that records four or more generations in the dog's family line, possibly including physical features and awards. A good breeder should know the pedigree of the dog by heart and be willing to show it to you upon demand.[10]
- Pedigree certificates are official documents endorsed by the AKC. Check the certificate to make sure it is authentic. You can ask a vet familiar with pedigrees to look over the document.
- To find a reputable breeder, ask a veterinarian that you trust for recommendations.[11]
- A reputable breeder should allow you to visit to see where their dogs are raised. The dogs should have adequate space and the area should be clean.[12]
- Reputable breeders should specialize in one or two breeds and might be involved in clubs dedicated to the breeds or have won awards associated with them. They will probably not be able to provide dogs on demand; you will need to sign up for a wait list.
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2Get a DNA test. There are several companies now that perform DNA tests to verify dog breeds. The tests might not be perfectly precise, but they should be able to prove if your dog is predominantly an Afghan Hound.[13]
- These tests are administered at home. You can order them online, perform the test, and then send it back through the mail.[14]
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3Talk to your veterinarian. Veterinarians are generally good at determining the breed of a dog. If you are unsure if your dog is an Afghan Hound, ask your veterinarian's opinion.
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about identifying dog breeds, check out our in-depth interview with Jennifer Damon.
References
- ↑ http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/afghan-hound#/slide/1
- ↑ http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/afghan-hound/
- ↑ http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/afghan-hound#/slide/1
- ↑ http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/afghan-hound/
- ↑ http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/afghan-hound/
- ↑ http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/afghan-hound/
- ↑ http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/afghan-hound#/slide/1
- ↑ http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/afghan-hound#/slide/1
- ↑ http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/afghanhounds.html
- ↑ http://www.raisingspot.com/adopting/dog-registration-papers
- ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/tips/finding_responsible_dog_breeder.html?referrer
- ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/pets/puppy_mills/find_responsible_dog_breeder.pdf
- ↑ https://fortune.com/2015/06/25/dog-dna-tests/
- ↑ http://dnamydog.com/frequently-asked-questions.php
About This Article
To spot an Afghan hound, check for a distinctive long, silky coat that flows from the dog’s head and body. You should also see if the dog has long legs and a lanky figure. Additionally, look for a long, pointy face and large, floppy ears. Check if the eyes are dark and almond-shaped, while the tail is short, narrow, and curved into a semi-circle. To identify an Afghan hound based on temperament, look for an independent personality with little desire for attention. The dog might also be hard to train and have strong hunting instincts. For more advice from our Veterinarian co-author, including how to verify your dog’s breed, keep reading!
