windhounds
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2009.09.15 Notes from the Afghan Specialty, Lancaster PA:
I've had northern dogs for over a decade (Siberians, mixes, all rescues); I was pretty sure I couldn't own a round-eared dog (hounds, retrievers). Then my buddies hauled me off to the Afghan Specialty in Lancaster. I have to admit to being owned by a whippet once (a lovely brindle, with a CDX, given to me by a Corgi breeder who I was doing a working student stint with at her horse farm), and I grew up with random farm dogs. I've fallen for Newfoundlands, and admired my friends' Schipperkes and Belgian Shepards. I've thought about adopting a Greyhound.
Then I spent a day meeting and photographing Afghans. They look like a fashion statement, with their flowing hair: the immediate thought of anyone from my generation is Farrah Fawcett.
"They were bred to hunt lions." a lady at the show told me with certainty. Wikipedia says they came out of the harsh environments of the mountains and deserts of Afghanistan, hunted hares and gazelles, and served as guard dogs. They're part of the ancient group of dogs called sighthounds. Their DNA has markers closer to Wolf than most modern breeds. They have many of the "primitive dog" qualities northern breeds have; the coloring, independant of mind (most dogs come when called, they take a message and get back to you), strong prey drive (What do you call a sighthound, or northern dog off lead? Gone!). Unlike Siberians, they are good house and family guardians. The ones I met were polite, slightly reserved (not drooly-in-your-face). Sabre, an elderly gentleman of the classic type (heavier bone, lighter coat), accepted doggie rubs, then laid his head on my lap. Like any breed, you should research the breed and see if it suits your lifestyle and personality (for instance; these guys aren't obedience oriented, and they require intensive grooming). And always buy from a reputable breeder, or better yet, for a pet, adopt from a rescue.
I might have to share my home with one of these one day.
I've had northern dogs for over a decade (Siberians, mixes, all rescues); I was pretty sure I couldn't own a round-eared dog (hounds, retrievers). Then my buddies hauled me off to the Afghan Specialty in Lancaster. I have to admit to being owned by a whippet once (a lovely brindle, with a CDX, given to me by a Corgi breeder who I was doing a working student stint with at her horse farm), and I grew up with random farm dogs. I've fallen for Newfoundlands, and admired my friends' Schipperkes and Belgian Shepards. I've thought about adopting a Greyhound.
Then I spent a day meeting and photographing Afghans. They look like a fashion statement, with their flowing hair: the immediate thought of anyone from my generation is Farrah Fawcett.
"They were bred to hunt lions." a lady at the show told me with certainty. Wikipedia says they came out of the harsh environments of the mountains and deserts of Afghanistan, hunted hares and gazelles, and served as guard dogs. They're part of the ancient group of dogs called sighthounds. Their DNA has markers closer to Wolf than most modern breeds. They have many of the "primitive dog" qualities northern breeds have; the coloring, independant of mind (most dogs come when called, they take a message and get back to you), strong prey drive (What do you call a sighthound, or northern dog off lead? Gone!). Unlike Siberians, they are good house and family guardians. The ones I met were polite, slightly reserved (not drooly-in-your-face). Sabre, an elderly gentleman of the classic type (heavier bone, lighter coat), accepted doggie rubs, then laid his head on my lap. Like any breed, you should research the breed and see if it suits your lifestyle and personality (for instance; these guys aren't obedience oriented, and they require intensive grooming). And always buy from a reputable breeder, or better yet, for a pet, adopt from a rescue.
I might have to share my home with one of these one day.
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