Afghan Hound at a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height
- 63–74 cm
- Weight
- 23–27 kg
- Life expectancy
- from 10 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog. Not assessed yet: Shedding, Garden.
Is the Afghan Hound right for you?
Like every breed, the Afghan Hound is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You enjoy long walks and an active, outdoor life.
Consider another breed if…
- The dog would regularly be left alone for long working days.
- You cannot offer well over an hour of exercise every day.
- You live in a flat or a small home.
- You have young children at home.
How would the Afghan Hound fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is a large sighthound known for its elegant movement, proud carriage and long, silky coat. It is a noble, dignified-looking dog, often aloof with strangers but loyal, loving and something of a clown with its own family.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Large
A large dog.
- Exercise
Very high
Usually needs several hours of activity or work a day.
- Energy level
Very lively
Very lively and usually keen to be busy.
- Grooming
Daily
The coat usually needs brushing every day.
- Shedding
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Trainability
Independent
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps.
- Good with children
Older children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
- Good with other dogs
Varies
Varies with the individual dog.
- Good with cats
Strong chase instinct
Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals.
- Suits first-time owners
Some experience helps
Some dog experience helps.
- Barking / vocality
Can be vocal
Often quick to bark at visitors or unusual sounds.
- Time alone
Prefers company
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
The breed comes from Afghanistan, where it was used to hunt deer, gazelle and smaller game such as hare and fox. Long limbs, a strong jaw and great speed suited it to the work. Its size range reflects the different types used on the desert plains and in the mountains.
The Afghan is thought to have developed from Salukis brought to Afghanistan from neighbouring Persia, with the longer coat developing as protection against the cold of the mountain regions. The first Afghans arrived in the UK in the 1920s and quickly became popular.
Afghan Hound temperament
Afghan Hounds are typically dignified and aloof but trustworthy. They are often reserved with people they do not know, so early socialisation is important. With family and friends, that reserve usually disappears, and many show a playful, clownish side.
They prefer a quiet home with company for most of the day and do not like being left alone. Purina describes them as chatty and vocal. Like other sighthounds they have a strong chase instinct, which affects how they live with other pets and how they are exercised.
Size and appearance
The Afghan Hound is a large dog, typically standing 63–74 cm and weighing around 23–27 kg.
The coat is long, lustrous and silky. A very wide range of colours is accepted in the breed standard, including black, cream, gold, red, silver, blue, brindle, white, domino patterns and black-masked colours.
How much exercise does a Afghan Hound need?
Afghans have high energy levels and usually need more than two hours of exercise a day for their physical and mental wellbeing, including the chance to run freely.
Because the chase instinct is strong, off-lead running should happen in safe, secure, enclosed areas well away from roads. Once an Afghan is in full chase it can be very hard to get its attention back.
Training a Afghan Hound
Like most sighthounds, Afghans tend not to see much point in formal training, so owners expecting instant obedience may struggle. Patience and an understanding of sighthounds help a great deal.
- Start socialisation and puppy training early, as Afghans can be aloof with strangers.
- Teach them to walk well on a lead from a young age.
- Put effort into recall, but do not rely on it when there is something to chase.
- Use reward-based methods to build a good relationship.
Afghan Hound grooming
The coat is labour-intensive. Daily brushing is needed to prevent tangles and mats, and regular bathing keeps it clean. Grooming is especially important when the puppy coat is being replaced by the adult coat, so the new coat does not mat with the old. The breed does shed.
Living with a Afghan Hound
Well-socialised Afghan Hounds can be good with children, and they can make good family dogs. Because they prefer a calm home with constant company, they usually suit families with older, sensible children best.
All dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other. Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
Other dogs
Varies with the individual dog.
Cats and small pets
Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals.
Flats and smaller homes
Usually needs a roomy home.
Being left alone
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
First-time owners
Some dog experience helps.
Afghan Hound health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
Some health problems are recognised in the Afghan Hound. Knowing about them helps you ask the right questions; it does not mean every Afghan will be affected. PDSA recommends checking that a puppy's parents have been screened under the BVA and Kennel Club health schemes.
Hip dysplasia
The Royal Kennel Club recommends hip testing under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme as part of best-practice health testing for the breed.
Hypothyroidism
A condition in which the thyroid produces less hormone than normal.
Necrotic myelopathy
A loss of myelin from the spinal cord, which can result in paralysis.
Sensitivity to anaesthesia and cortisone
Afghans can be sensitive to anaesthesia and cortisone, and your vet can guide you on the most suitable anaesthetic options.
Gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat)
A condition where the stomach twists, trapping its contents and gas. It is an emergency that needs urgent veterinary attention, and it is often seen in large, deep-chested breeds. Purina notes that smaller, more frequent meals can help reduce the risk of bloating.
Panosteitis
A painful, inflammatory bone disease.
Laryngeal paralysis
A progressive paralysis of the larynx.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Afghan Hound home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Afghan Hound cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Afghan Hound home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 10 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Afghan Hound
If you have decided the Afghan Hound suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Afghan Hound
Afghan Hounds do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Afghan Hounds looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
There are no Afghan Hound adverts at the moment.
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Similar breeds you may want to consider
Afghan Hound FAQs
Is the Afghan Hound good with children?
Usually better with older, calmer children. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the Afghan Hound live in a flat?
Usually needs a roomy home. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the Afghan Hound need?
Very high: usually needs several hours of activity or work each day. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
How much grooming does the Afghan Hound need?
Typically: daily.
Is the Afghan Hound easy to train?
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Can the Afghan Hound be left alone?
Usually copes only with short periods alone. Build up time alone gradually.
Does the Afghan Hound bark a lot?
Can be vocal. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Is the Afghan Hound good with cats?
Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Afghan Hound live?
Typically from 10 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Afghan Hound get?
Adults typically stand 63–74 cm at the shoulder and weigh 23–27 kg.