New Zealand Afghan Hounds
Why choose and Afghan?
by Pamela Farmer
Well for me it was easy, like Arab Horses who are the most beautiful of horse breeds. Afghan Hounds are the most beautiful of the dog breeds.
Comments are often made about perceived breed traits - i.e. they are highly-strung, temperamental, stupid, and disobedient. Well of course they can be all of those things, but these traits are often a matter of environment and upbringing and apply to any dog. However, if you are thinking of choosing an Afghan hound be sure to do some research, talk to breeders and owners, read a good breed book. Charles Harrison's book in the Popular Dogs range is a good foundation and was my first purchase. If you are IN affies collecting breed books is a natural adjunct to all the other required paraphernalia.
They do require regular grooming; those show coats do not happen all by themselves. Most Afghan Hounds are loyal loving companions. Temperament is varied but sure he is reserved and dignified with those not in the immediate family.
They have a sense of humour and I'm sure they enjoy laughing at your expense but make sure you do not laugh at them if say one of your beloved's misjudges a leap onto the settee, be sure to pretend you did not see.
It is absolutely essential to have a fully fenced secure property. Afghan Hounds have a propensity to go 'visiting" and if possible ensure runs or the rooms they are left in alone have some interesting outlook, boredom can being all sorts of attention getting habits, In fact there should ideally be someone at home for a good part of the day as they like and need company.
Puppies are great fun and as with all breeds the time to instill the required bahaviour patterns, who is allowed where and when, what to chew and what not to chew! Lead training, house training are best tackled obliquely, with affies the best approach is to make them think it's all their idea, especially lead training, it is much easier to use an adult as an example, the puppies inclination is to follow and can be used hopefully to avoid the screams and desperate twists and falls that are well known methods of ridding ones neck of the "thing". Neighbours can be forgiven for thinking life and limb are threatened.
Like all dogs routine is important, your love and firm direction will make for a happy dog. Afghan Hounds are a large breed and I find more secure in their man/dog relationships if they know who is boss, this does not mean that you have to bully or ill treat the dog, just gain their respect and trust.
Within the family circle you can expect lots of avant garde devotion, howls of joy, leaping from settee to settee when you return home, even if you have only been out for a short time. They can alarm the whole street when having their claws cut and the word bath invariably sees swift vanishing affies, but grooming and bathing if handled correctly can be pleasant and even fun, they do like to be the centre of attention and those required brushings and baths get all your attention usually for some 2-3 hours at a time. Grooming must be started when the puppy is about six weeks old, a little light brushing for a few minutes to start with, it is a discipline they have to accept from an early age.
Be warned the difficult period for most novice owners is when the puppy coat drop begins and the adult coat starts to grow through, at this time many a novice owner goes off the rails, Sometimes you are lucky and the change from one coat to another is reasonably easy but this is the exception not the rule. The coat can and does mat easily, almost before your eyes. At this teenage time, maybe three times a day gentle thorough brushing will be required, these days with all the grooming aids available the task is made easier and once the puppy coat is shed coat care still be a matter of regular attention often decided by the type of coat texture. Grooming properly is a skilled job, you must make sure that you groom right down to the skin, remove any debris, use good quality equipment and never dry groom. Always use a coat dressing. If you have done a good j ob a medium to fine meal toothed comb should be able to slip easily through the coat. Good care, diet, regular exercise of the mind and body will produce a picture of beauty, whether dripping in coat or more lightly endowed. If you are prepared to face these tasks then perhaps an Afghan Hound is for you, but if you like biddable, tail wagging, stick collecting traits then forget the Afghan Hound. If you throw a stick for them you can expect to collect it yourself.
It is not unknown for them to steal (never knowing where the next meal is coming from!). Often it is edible and don't be misled, this can be a variety of objects including soap, face cloths, hand towels, your bar of chocolate, your spaghetti Bolognese... if you can't stand the dirty contents of the linen basket strewn about the house, or those soapy clean clothes on the line removed prematurely, then do not consider an Afghan Hound. Yes, I know they look designer lovely draped on the best settee again, but that is just a front they put on to lure unsuspecting novices to their den, you can be assured that given a choice themselves a quick stroll in something in something offensive coupled with the contents of a 2 acre paddock carried proudly home in their coats to be deposited on yes, you guessed it - the poor best settee once again, is surely allowed in the home of the owner they would choose.
Ours have brought us 18 years of pleasure, each one special. Fun and deep abiding love with admiration for their independence which can be channeled but should never be surprised. Choose an Afghan Hound if you have the patience and temperament to nuture these important breed characteristics, remember the Afghan Hound has been Europeanised for only a little over 70 years and still retains much if not all of its heritage of freedom to hunt and survive by his wits and speed of reaction.
The most beautiful sight in the world for me is Afghan Hounds in full free flight, their sprints, heads and tails high.
Pamela Farmer, NZ, 1991
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