Dog Community

Afghan Hounds.

Posted : 5/28/2006 4:19:35 PM

Hello,this is my first post so sorry to all if it is in the wrong place.

I am looking to buy my first dog,after years of being given "problem" dogs to sort out it is very daunting to be buying one!
I know (very well) GSDs,Yorkshire Terriors,Labs,Golden Retrivers,spaniels,JRTs and Rotties but would love an Afghan Hound.
As a sight hound is well and truely outside my "comfort zone" I wanted to get advice from people who have/have had them.I know only too well the damage choseing the wrong breed can cause( both to the dog and the family) so although this is a breed that has made my heart skip a beat for nearly 20 years, I am not taking this decision lightly and am 100% ready to admit if this isnt a breed that would be a part of my family.
So about the home on offer, I am a housewife, mum to an 18 month old boy.OH is well trained and understands that animals needs come before peoples wants and doesnt mind holidays ect being limited to dog friendly places.We have a (fairly) large well fenced garden and live on the outside of a large(ish) city with plenty of bridle ways/woodland that offer exalent walks.

As with any breed an Afghan has limitations that will be impossed on the family it lives with,I am trying to find out if they are needs my family can meet or not.
Any and all advice welcome.
Thankyou for your time.

agilebasenji

Posted : 5/28/2006 5:33:46 PM

Have you talked to any breeders? Dogshows are the best places to meet people. You can go to [linkhttp://www.akc.org]www.akc.org[/link], [linkhttp://www.onofrio.com ]www.onofrio.com [/link] , or [linkhttp://www.infodog.com]www.infodog.com[/link] to look into some upcoming shows. And definately visit [linkhttp://clubs.akc.org/ahca/]http://clubs.akc.org/ahca/[/link].

I think Afghans are gorgeous. But you are absolutely right in thinking that they aren't for everyone. I have basenjis, and they aren't for everyone either, and while they are also sighthounds, they don't have near the grooming requirements. I know that all sighthounds need a good run on a regular basis. They are also independent, but quick to shut down if you use harsh corrections on them. I have a friend who runs hers in agility. They make my basenjis look easy to run/train. good luck!

jeano

Posted : 5/28/2006 7:10:10 PM

And as far as I know, they are one of the only dogs with HAIR instead of fur.

Two hairdressers lived across the street from me when I briefly lived in the Hollywood Hills. What did they do on their days off? Groomed their Afghans, of course, which they also showed. [sm=rotfl.gif] I swear they practiced "New Dos" on them, too. They were the perfect dogs for those two guys, roflmao!

Patt

Posted : 5/28/2006 10:12:49 PM

Oh I love Afghans!! I was lucky enough to have one given to me (she needed a new home) when she was 1-1/2 yrs old. Her name at that time was Cherokee, she lived until she was 17yo. She was a wonderful girl and such a lady. My only problem was the grooming. It was okay when we lived in town but when we moved to the ranch long, long, hair was not a good thing. I kept her hair cut and she looked similar to a Saluki. I think Afghans are great dogs, I know our Cher was the best!

I would also do research on Labs and Goldens. Be careful of terrier breeds, lots are high maintenance. Good luck on your search.

huskymom

Posted : 5/29/2006 1:41:03 PM

Oddly enough my 7 year old brought home a discarded book from his school library on Afghan Hounds a couple days ago. Weird. Its not a breed that I have ever really looked at. I don't know much on them other than they are a very beautiful dog. Good luck.

Mostly I just wanted to say, Welcome to the forum!