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Afghan hounds, also known as Tazi in their homeland, is a particularly beautiful breed of dog whose history dates back thousands of years.
It is considered the national dog breed of Afghanistan and for many years, Afghan hounds were not permitted to leave the country.
It is only within the last hundred years that Afghan hounds have come to the attention of American and Europe dog breeds.
It wasn't until the 1930s that they were recognized by the AKC and CKC as a distinct breed.
The Afghan hound is easily distinguished by it's long, sleek coat, which may come in any color or pattern, and its feathery, curly tail.
This points to its long history as a hunting dog in the mountains of Afghanistan, where it was used to hunt down local predators and pests like wolves and foxes as well as food animals like gazelle.
Though these dogs are quite tall, they are also fairly light and thin; their fur, which is quite thick although fine, can give them a larger appearance.
Afghan hounds are considered to be sighthounds, which hunt by seeing their prey rather than by scenting it.
Like most sighthounds, they are very fast, but lack the endurance that is seen in Scenthounds. They are bred for speed to capture they prey as quickly as possible, without the need to waste energy.
Afghan hounds are prone to allergies and cancer, cancer being one of the main cause of death among this breed. It also important to remember that due to their sleek appearance and slender build, Afghan hounds are also more prone to other health problems.
Like other sighthounds, they are prone to suffering from cataracts and like other breeds of their size, older dogs often develop hip dysplasia.
Their coats do require regular care and maintenance to retain the smooth texture as well as to prevent dead hair and skin from clumping unattractively.
When considering an Afghan hound as a pet, there are quite a few things to keep in mind.
First, this breed is known for a low obedience intelligence; while the dog itself can be quite bright, they are almost catlike in their independence.
Thorough training is necessary to make sure that an Afghan hound understands commands that are given to it, but the owner should keep in mind that sometimes even that won't be enough!
Despite their aristocratic appearance and the care this is required to keep their coats in top shape, Afghan hounds originated as working dogs, and thus need a great deal of exercise.
Ideally, Afghans should be walked at least a mile every day and have some more interaction on top of that.
Afghan hounds are very sensitive to their owner's moods, so care should be taken to treat this breed gently. Without proper care and if subjected to an environment that is too stressful, this dog can easily become neurotic or destructive.
The Afghan hound is a beautiful breed of dog. However, many considerations need to be made before choosing one as a pet.
While Afghan's are fine companions for the right people, care should be taken into ensuring that they are the right dog for you, your family and the environment in which you live.
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