 |
 for more info on Afghans, click here |
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 and had one of those Schipperkes run on my team long enough to appreciate the power of teeny little dogs. 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, independence of mind (most dogs come when called, these 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 (Sibes are great watchdogs... watch the burglar come in, watch him carry stuff back out...). The Afghans 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.
For more info: click here: https://yourdogadvisor.com/afghan-hound/
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 and had one of those Schipperkes run on my team long enough to appreciate the power of teeny little dogs. 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, independence of mind (most dogs come when called, these 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 (Sibes are great watchdogs... watch the burglar come in, watch him carry stuff back out...). The Afghans 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.
For more info: click here: https://yourdogadvisor.com/afghan-hound/
