The Afghan Hound, commonly known by its short form “Afghan”, is an FCI (Fédération Cynélogique Internationale) recognized dog breed with a breed standard of English origin. According to the FCI standard, the Afghan belongs to group 10 sighthounds under section 1 “Long-haired or feathered sighthounds”. The Afghans also fall under the category of oriental greyhounds.
Afghan Hound Dog Breed Information
Size: Males: 68-74 cm, females: 63-69 cm
Weight: 15-34kg
FCI Group: 10: Sighthounds
Section: 1: Long-Coated or Feathered Sighthounds
Country of origin: Afghanistan
Colors: Any colors
Life expectancy: 12 years
Suitable as: hunting and family dog
Sports: greyhound racing
Temperament: independent, proud, affectionate, affectionate, headstrong, patient, smart, watchful
Exercise requirements: rather high
Low drool potential
The thickness of hair rather high
Maintenance effort: high
Coat structure: long, silky
Child friendly: yes
Family dog: yes
Social: rather yes
Origin and breed history
The Afghan is one of the oldest sighthound breeds and originally comes from Afghanistan. Afghan nomads bred today’s ancestors of the Afghan Hound and used them primarily as hunting and guard dogs. The dogs were independent single hunters. The nomads value their greyhounds because the survival of the entire tribe depends on their hunting success. In the camps and tribes of the nomads, the dogs also took on the role of guards. For these reasons, they were also traded and valued as a special treasure. Originally, the worship of the breed went so far that the export of the animals was forbidden. Individual specimens of the breed were nevertheless smuggled across the borders.
Despite this export ban, British soldiers managed to bring the breed to Europe around 1890. In Germany, however, the Afghan Hound only appeared a little later, around 1930. In 1961, the Afghan was finally officially recognized as a breed by the FCI.
Originally a hunting dog, the Afghan has developed over the years into a typical exhibition dog in Europe. For this reason, there are different lines of breeding in the breed today, depending on whether the dogs are used in dog racing or in shows. The main difference between the breed lines is that Afghans bred for the racetrack have shorter coats which are less restrictive when running. The fur of the show dogs is more voluminous and more complex to care for.
Nature and temperament of the Afghan Hound
Even if the Afghan mainly shows his gentle and calm nature in the apartment, he can really turn it up outside. Above all, the pronounced hunting instinct and passion for racing prevail here.
Afghans are spirited, independent, sensitive, and stubborn dogs. The dogs are alert, but not barkers. They are dominant without tending towards aggressiveness and are also suitable as family dogs with sufficient exercise. The Afghan is a dog full of personality with an excellent memory. The breed tends to be reserved, even dismissive, towards strangers. He is only affectionate towards his family.
What is the temperament of an Afghan Hound?
Like all sighthounds, the temperament of the Afghan is characterized by a pronounced passion for hunting and running. At the same time, he shows a high level of sensitivity and independence.
The appearance of the Afghan Hound
One thing is clear, the sight of the Afghan leaves an impression. Dynamic, dignified and elegant, this is how the appearance of this breed can be described in three words. An Afghan attracts attention and attracts attention.
The Afghan is one of the large sighthound breeds. Males can reach a height of 68 to 74 centimeters at the withers, bitches are between 63 and 69 centimeters tall. The weight of the Afghan is between 20 and 30 kilos.
There are three original types of Afghan Hound: the Bakhmull has long silky hair, the Luchak has a smooth coat, and the Kalagh, which is characterized by long hair on the ears and legs. Overall, the long, silky coat and the long skull are special features of this breed. The head and ears are covered with long, shiny fur and give the dog a dignified, glamorous expression. At this sight it is easy to forget that the Afghan is actually a hunting dog.
When breeding this sighthound breed, all colors are allowed. The head may be marked by a mask. The dog’s chest is low. This gives him a particularly proud stature, which is complemented by a light, dynamically flowing gait.
Due to the exceptionally dynamic and dignified appearance of this breed, many Afghans were bred purely for show purposes. In addition to the emergence of animal welfare issues, the quality of life of the dogs is often restricted in this case: floor-length, silky fur makes it difficult for many show dogs to walk unhindered, for example.
How big does an Afghan hound get?
Depending on the sex, the dogs can reach a height of 69 to 74 centimeters at the withers. The Afghan is one of the larger dog breeds.
Training and keeping the Afghan Hound
The Afghan is more for people who are experienced with dogs. This is an independent dog that sometimes has difficulty subordinating itself. Consistency is therefore required right from the start with puppies. Nevertheless, dog training should not be too hard, because these animals are sensitive and tend to be suspicious and shy if they are kept too strict. Characteristic of the Afghan is his strong personality. The breed is by no means to be compared with a border collie that is always obedient and easy to train. Because even with good training, this breed keeps its stubbornness. This is largely due to its origins as a hunting dog and companion of nomads. The dogs were independent hunters, so they didn’t wait for instructions or permission from their owners. This remains an essential characteristic of these greyhounds to this day. So is the Afghan Hound a breed for novice dogs? This question should be answered in the negative, because bitches as well as males can also reach a considerable size, which makes training more difficult. Skill is required when raising these animals. A combination of sensitive patience and consistency is the keyword when training the Afghan.
The breed should be kept in an environment where the dogs are regularly allowed to roam off-leash in a fenced area. So a large plot of land with a garden would be the ideal home for the Afghan Hound.
Diet of the Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is a particularly sporty and active dog and has a naturally slim waist. So his diet should be aligned with his daily activities. How much should be fed depends primarily on how much energy the animals use in daily exercise and running. Sports dogs and show dogs do not necessarily need the same ration of food. Since the Afghan is not prone to being overweight, the overall portions can be a bit more generous depending on need. It is important to impose a rest phase on large dog breeds after eating, as otherwise they may be prone to vomiting and stomach torsion, among other things.
Why feed bones to BARF? Are there alternatives to whole bones?
Regular feeding of bones is simply part of BARF dog nutrition. With this species-appropriate feeding, this is not surprising, because bones have always been part of the diet of wolves and wild dogs. And with BARF you want to achieve as natural a diet as possible for your dog. Barf beginners in particular often shy away from feeding bones. We would like to show you why bones should be regularly included in the BARF ration and what you can feed as an alternative to large bones.
Raw, meaty bones are healthy for dogs because they contain a lot of calcium and other valuable minerals, but also antioxidants and important enzymes. They are therefore decisive for an optimal calcium-phosphorus ratio in the feed and the vitality of the fur nose.
Bones are also good for the dog’s teeth because they clean the dog’s teeth during the chewing process and thus prevent tartar. You will be surprised that while chewing and gnawing, even the muscles of your animal are trained and strengthened throughout the body. Besides, it is fun for the dog, it tastes good and it keeps him busy when he can gnaw on the bones to his heart’s content and act out his natural instincts.
IMPORTANT: All bones you feed the dog must be raw! Cooked, roasted, baked or grilled bones dry out when heated, becoming brittle and losing their elasticity because the collagen they contain is converted into gelatine. When dry, they splinter and can easily injure the dog or cause health problems!
In general, a distinction is made between hard bones and soft bones. Soft bones can be eaten entirely by the dog. Of course, how well this works depends on the size of the fur nose and the health of its teeth. For example, it could be breast bones. Hard bones, on the other hand, are only gnawed away by the dog. More precisely: only the outer layer of bone serves as lining. Because every dog handles hard bones differently – some bury them, others use them as just toys – we’ve gone against hard bones in our menus to make sure bone feeding is easy and safe for you. You can get whole, hard bones from us in the form of our half beef foot or beef ear, frozen, in the snacking fun area.
Be careful with very hard bones with some fur noses, who mean it too well with gnawing due to ravenous hunger and can therefore injure their mouths or gums or damage their tooth enamel. However, you should avoid long bones, as they tend to splinter, even if they are raw. If your fur nose has eaten a splintering bone, an old household remedy can be helpful: Feed the dog a little sauerkraut directly, which usually transports the splinter out of the dog without any problems.
It can also happen that the dog gets a small piece of bone stuck between its teeth. As a rule, you can free your dog from it yourself and remove the piece.
Every now and then you still hear that you shouldn’t feed dogs bones. That’s not true, because, as described above, they are an important source of calcium and very healthy for dogs.
In general, the dog should be given plenty of time to gnaw and chew the bones. It is ideal if you feed the bones outside of the normal BARF portion. If you start BARF, you should start with well-tolerated bones: such as chicken necks or the meaty bones that are included in our whole food beef or lamb menus.
Inveterate barfers often hear the really rough rule of thumb that a full-grown dog needs about 50% meat and 50% bones by weight plus innards and tripe plus any fruit and vegetables for a balanced diet. That’s not always easy to calculate…
We would therefore like to make it easy and safe for you with our BARF menus. This means that each menu bag contains the right mix of all feed ingredients. The mixture of our Graf Barf menus, in combination with the special oil or the Sensitiv Plus+ powder for the sensitive menu, corresponds to the nutritional value recommendations of the FEDIAF (The European Pet Food Industry Federation – recommendation of nutritional values for daily needs),
It can also happen that you feed the dog too many bones. You can tell that very quickly by the so-called whitish “bone droppings” or by the fact that the dog has to make a lot of effort to defecate. Then simply pause the next meals with the bone feeding. In principle, the dog excrement is firmer than with other types of dog food. This is completely normal and also has a good side effect: the dog’s anal glands can also empty naturally with the faeces.
For large, adult dogs, feeding pure bones is usually not a problem. However, small dogs, seniors with teeth problems or puppies with teeth that are not yet fully developed often have problems with eating whole bones or cannot tolerate it at all. There are furry friends that devour the bones so much that you’re afraid they’ll choke on them and you don’t want to feed them anymore.
It can help here to let the bone part consist of chicken necks, for example. These are smaller, softer and easier to chew.
But we wouldn’t be the shop for easy barfing if we didn’t also have a menu solution for these cases. We have developed our cubes made from finely chopped bones for our full-value menus Plus from beef and chicken as well as our junior menu. These are not ground bones that we simply mix in with the meat and grind! This is very important to us: For example, we crush the beef breast bones or the chicken carcasses, shock-freeze them in large blocks and cut them into our well-known cubes. So these are then mixed in the right proportion with the other Graf Barf cubes of the respective menu. This makes feeding and eating really easy for the dog. At the same time we achieve a tasty variety in the dog bowl.
You can also order these bone cubes from beef, lamb and chicken individually packed in 1 kg bags. For everyone who wants to mix the BARF ration for their pet themselves.
Last but not least, we also have our sensitive menus (beef and lamb) for sensitive dogs. These come without bones and with less offal. They are supplemented by our specially developed Sensitiv Plus+ powder. This is coordinated with the two sensitive menus. It contains a mix of ground sunflower press cake, linseed, algae lime, spirulina, de-oiled grape seed flour, sea salt and nettle leaves. 1 level measuring spoon per 100g Graf Barf Sensitive Menu plus oil is added to each meal after defrosting.
Health – life expectancy & common diseases
Overall, the Afghan hound is not particularly susceptible to typical diseases. Hip dysplasia and cataracts are among the most common diseases in this breed.
Afghan myelopathy, on the other hand, as the name suggests, is an inherited condition unique to this breed. Dogs affected by the disease can become completely paralyzed within a few weeks. In most cases, the disease develops during the first year of life and cannot be treated. It is the task of the breeder to exclude affected animals from breeding and to avoid the disease as much as possible through selected breeding. For this reason, you should only buy your puppy from a reputable breeder who is registered in a breed club.
The life expectancy of greyhounds is over 12 years.
If your dog is sick, he cannot tell you directly. Therefore, as dog owners, we have to learn to understand the body language of our four-legged friend. We would like to point out the most important signs that the dog is sick.
Is dog sick? The signs:
Every dog owner should be able to interpret the dog’s body language. Habits, behavior and the appearance of the four-legged friend say a lot about his state of mind. If you understand these signs correctly, you can act immediately if the dog is sick and visit a veterinarian.
The following list is only to be understood as a recommendation, in case of doubt a professional veterinarian should always be consulted! You can cover the sometimes very high costs of treatment with dog health insurance. You no longer have to worry about vet bills in the event of an operation or lengthy drug treatment.
Behavior change
If the dog is ill, unusual behavior is often associated with it. You know your four-legged friend best, which is why you are most likely to recognize a change in behavior. Often the dog wants to communicate something with the behavior. Signs of illness could include:
- mild irritability
- lethargic behavior or general lack of desire
- restless behavior
- constant withdrawal
- strong attachment
Digestive problems
Every dog has problems with digestion at some point, including vomiting or diarrhea. As a rule, however, these symptoms are of a harmless nature and can often be traced back to incorrect eating. Frequent feeding at the table and picking up things that are not quite digestible when going for a walk is often a factor in the quick elimination of the eaten animal.
However, if the dog also shows a lack of appetite or lethargy along with the symptoms mentioned, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. Other possible signs of a more serious condition may include:
- Repeated diarrhea or vomiting within a day.
- A swollen abdomen is associated with pain.
- bloody diarrhea
- reluctance to eat.
However, special care should be taken if the dog repeatedly tries to vomit but is unsuccessful, accompanied by severe restlessness and a swollen abdomen. In an emergency, this could be life-threatening gastric torsion and a veterinarian should be consulted as soon as possible!
Respiratory problems
In the worst case, respiratory problems can have life-threatening effects on the dog. Here you should observe the behavior of the dog very closely and consult the veterinarian.
- Recurring cough within 24 hours.
- Repeated heavy nasal discharge with mucus or blood.
- Loud coughing.
- Panting or noisy breathing.
- Recurrent gasps.
- heavy breathing
If the dog is generally having trouble breathing, check his tongue and gums. Both should be rose/pink. If a bluish discoloration is found, a veterinarian must be consulted immediately!
Problems with urinating and defecation
If your dog suddenly changes its behavior when going for a walk and the following signs appear, a veterinarian should also be consulted:
- Greatly increased urgency to urinate.
- Problems urinating or defecation.
- Housebreaking is suddenly no longer available and there is urine or defecation in the apartment.
Other external changes
Not only changes in behavior can indicate that the dog is ill. Physical changes are also often a sign. If any of these abnormalities occur, a visit to the vet would also be advisable:
- New bumps or bumps or changes to existing bumps or bumps.
- Bumps or blisters that leak fluid or even blood.
- Weight loss or weight gain in a very short period of time.
- redness of the skin.
- hair loss
- Constant itching and scratching of the ears or shaking of the head.
Fever
If the dog is sick, it can often develop a fever. Many dog owners use the rule of thumb that a healthy dog will have a cold and wet nose, while a sick dog will have a warm and dry nose. Unfortunately, this is wrong! The nose is a very poor indicator of the dog’s body temperature. Therefore, you should always use a thermometer to determine the exact temperature of your four-legged friend. If the dog is obviously ill and has a temperature above 39.4° Celsius, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary as soon as possible!
Pains
As a rule, dogs behave very calmly when they are in pain and do not make themselves known by making noises. It is therefore all the more important to pay attention to the animal’s signals.
The following signs can be attributed to pain in dogs:
- Persistent stiffness and signs of lameness.
- A reluctance to run, jump, or move in general.
- Swollen joints or bones that turn out to be heated.
- Trouble eating or excessive salivation.
- General physical restlessness.
- Guarding a body part and growling when approached.
Neurological abnormalities
Finally, neurological abnormalities should be considered. Everything that follows now shows that the dog is sick and you should take him to the vet as soon as possible:
- General weakness.
- trouble walking; stumbling around.
- Noticeable surges of heat.
- Cramps.
- Repeated and uncontrolled twitching.
- Constant “running in circles”.
- disorientation.
- General drowsiness.
If the dog becomes unconscious, an immediate trip to the vet is inevitable!
Very important: Never administer painkillers made for humans! These can be toxic to the sick dog! Please only use medicines prescribed by the vet!
How old do Afghan hounds get?
Afghan hounds can live to be 12 years old.
Grooming the Afghan Hound
As you can already guess, the grooming of this breed is very complex and demanding. The long coat should be groomed and brushed daily to prevent matting. Care should be taken to ensure that all layers of fur are brushed through. Otherwise, matting can easily occur in the undercoat.
It is important to get the dog used to daily grooming from puppyhood. A combing table and various combs, brushes and grooming sprays should therefore be part of the inventory of every Afghan hound owner. Especially after walks in the forest or field, the dog’s fur should be cleaned of dirt as soon as possible.
Every few weeks the dog can also be bathed with a special shampoo to get the coat nice and clean and silky. Here, too, training with the puppy is required so that it can endure the procedure as an adult dog and, above all, without feeling stressed. Despite its lush coat, the Afghan Hound is not prone to shedding. When feeding, care should be taken that the long hair on the ears does not end up in the feeding bowl, otherwise fur knots will form very quickly.
Afghan Hound Activities and Training
Like all greyhounds, Afghans are very sporty and active four-legged friends and above all, they need a lot of exercise and sufficient opportunities to run.
However, since the Afghan Hound is difficult to retrieve due to its pronounced hunting instinct, it can be problematic to unleash the dog in the forest or in the field. Alternative exercise options must therefore be offered so that the dog can release its energy. In order to be able to use the dog extensively in everyday life, it is suitable, for example, to take it jogging or on bicycle tours.
Nevertheless, the Afghan is a dog with stamina, but above all it should always have the opportunity to exert itself in relation to its speed. In dog racing, it can reach a speed of up to 60 km/h. For this reason, greyhound racing or coursing are generally best suited as occupations for greyhounds. In the classic dog race on the racetrack, the only thing that matters is the speed of the greyhounds. An artificial rabbit stimulates the dog’s urge to hunt. Unlike other breeds, greyhounds hunt using what is known as “sight hunting”. So they react to the movement of an object and not to an odor. With coursing, which takes place in an open field, exactly this visual hunt is imitated and the dogs can pursue their passion for hunting and racing to their heart’s content. The assessment in coursing focuses on the hunting behavior, with the speed being assessed in classic dog racing.
Agility may not be an option for these dogs as this breed actually has a passion for running fast and is less interested in the combination of hurdles and equipment.
When your best friend is testing your limits, sometimes it’s hard to stand your ground…
“The fact that wrong or undesirable behavior has no consequences is a phenomenon unknown in the entire animal kingdom. Sanctions are given there, initially in a friendly manner, but also very clearly if it has to be,” says dog trainer Michael Grewe. In the human kingdom it is often different. When it comes to dog training, there are essentially two behavioral patterns: “I don’t want that, so let it be” and “I agree with that, you’re doing well”. But only theoretically.
All too often, our feelings towards dogs thwart consistent action. The crooked little head, the faithful look, the soft squeak make it difficult to find a healthy balance between yes and no. After all, we want to be a true friend to our true friend who gives good things and overlooks some inadequacies. The only problem is that it doesn’t always work. Because Bello doesn’t come back reliably when we call him. He hangs around the table for food, he pulls on the leash and jumps at strangers, if only for joy. This, in turn, enrages us and fuels the inner desire to say no once in a while. How?
“Most difficulties and conflicts arise because man is unable to say no when he wants to. He can’t differentiate himself, can’t express himself clearly enough,” says Danish family therapist Jesper Juul. Opinions differ on what sounds simple. Even in the literature there is little that is unequivocal. While there are numerous guides on educational dog sports such as dog dance, flyball, or obedience, few teach how to assert yourself when the dog refuses to do what it has been taught, despite the use of treats, stroking, and other temptation strategies . Or are these the problem? What is often missing is the clear statement, the no in dog training. As a result, many owners give up because they are unable to stop unwanted behavior and they are less and less likely to have conflicts with the dog. Ultimately, after many unsuccessful training attempts, they tolerate the dog more or less doing what it wants and adapt to it.
A lack of boundaries harms the relationship
“Not setting limits destroys a relationship just as much as unreasonable punishment, because the dog then doesn’t respect the people and doesn’t care about their wishes,” says Edith Blechschmidt, trainer of rescue and disability assistance dogs. In her opinion, “Setting boundaries is fair. Because I often experience people who are totally annoyed by the undesirable behavior of their dogs, but who do not consistently set boundaries, according to the motto: I can’t always do it… But if I keep noticing that the other person is annoyed by me, but I’m not at all knows exactly why, that also puts a strain on the relationship. It would be fairer to say to my counterpart: You, this is really annoying, stop it! We end up restricting dogs that we have trouble with to flex leash freedom simply because we are unable to do our share of the training work.”
“From a smack to a shock in different intensities, everything is possible when saying no,” says trainer and Canis boss Michael Grewe. He absolutely includes strictness in healthy dog training. “It’s the same with frustration exercises. The dog learns to tolerate it now so that it will not have any problems with it in the future. Sure, it may seem hard at first not to give the whining puppy his wish to play with other dogs right now, but to ask him to stay quiet with us instead. But it is harder not being able to take the adult dog with you because it will whine incessantly if it doesn’t get what it wants right away. In the end, being nice isn’t all that nice.”
In his book How Dogs Think and Feel, the American psychology professor Stanley Coren also warns about the right dose and the right time for correction: “Many people start with a light punishment, a small push, and increase the intensity if the dog does not respond accordingly reacted. The problem here is that dogs develop a certain resistance to physical punishment over time. If the dog is not exactly self-pitying, light penalties have no effect. On the other hand, if the punishment is too severe or if the dog is hit frequently, it becomes frightened and reacts by hiding or ducking and trying to avoid contact with the caregiver” – which is the worst imaginable prerequisite for teaching the dog anything.
Coren describes an experiment in which dogs were reprimanded as soon as they put their snouts in a forbidden food bowl. A comparison group was allowed to eat for five seconds and another for ten seconds before being punished with a smack. When the dogs were later left alone in the room with the forbidden food, the first group, which was immediately punished, needed two weeks before they dared to eat the forbidden food, the dogs in the second group waited eight days, and those in the third group but only three minutes.
Set boundaries, provide freedom
“Education is not a romantic project that dog owners can reflect on happily all day long. Setting limits and offering freedom are always part of living together with a dog,” says trainer Michael Grewe.
If the forest were poisoned, no dog would hunt. With this picture, the Hof mantrailing expert Armin Schweda likes to show his students that even the most demanding goals can be achieved less with methods than with the right inner attitude. If the forest were poisoned, one would firstly react immediately, secondly emphatically and thirdly always react as soon as the dog strayed a paw’s breadth from the path. In this moment we take the lead, act authentically and relaxed. If we reacted quickly, intensively and consistently in more banal situations, there would probably be no problems with reliable obedience.
“Most people also do this at home, at least for what is important to them,” explains Armin Schweda. “Anyone who has a young dog and doesn’t want him to tamper with the furniture will hardly try to put him down in the middle of the room for hours with the command,” says the expert. “In such a situation, we expect the dog to behave accordingly. If he doesn’t, we’ll immediately make it clear to him what we think. It works the same way outside.”
Anticipation is the best way to avoid any punishment. “Of course I can wait until my child touches the hot stove and then say: You see, this is happening. But I could also build barriers or let out a warning cry before touching. This is exactly the attitude we need in dogs,” says trainer Claudia Wagner. A dog’s life has many hot plates, often life-threatening, and the dog can only try them once. So there’s nothing wrong with putting him on a leash if you want to talk while walking. If the dog has not yet learned to wait in its place when visitors ring the bell, you can tie it up or close the room door. It is only fair to prevent an untrained dog from making mistakes rather than constantly punishing it.
Conclusion: If you think and act carefully, are present and take responsibility, you become a leader that dogs like to follow. The more this succeeds, the more superfluous penalties become.
Every owner wants a dog that walks on a loose leash. Anyone who disapproves of punishment and prefers to stand still until the leash is slack needs patience. If you are consistent enough, you can reach your goal without penalties. However, some dog owners overwhelm themselves with the claim not to make any mistakes and never to punish the dog. Anyone who denies their own needs quickly feels annoyed, says yes half-heartedly and thus comes across as ambivalent. If you don’t say clearly what you don’t like, you can easily become a victim, which is of no use to anyone. Anyone who wakes up frequently at night because the dog disturbs them in bed should send them away!
Bottom line: the more clearly and confidently you articulate your own wishes, the better your dog will get to know you and know what you approve of and what you disapprove of. Dogs don’t know maybe. The clearer we express ourselves to them, the easier it is for them to do the right thing.
Not every physically conveyed no is painful. Pushing the dog to the side, pushing it away from the mouse hole or holding it steady to limit it doesn’t hurt, but it also has an effect. Whether this can prevent the dog from doing highly instinctively motivated actions such as hunting often depends on the inner attitude of the person.
Conclusion: The more determined a person is to assert themselves, the less harshly they have to intervene. Mental strength outweighs physical intervention. If this determination does not succeed, only forward-looking action or, for example, putting on a leash will help.
Instead of disciplining the dog when it’s on a leash and wants to meet another dog, trainer Claudia Wagner prefers to wait until the dog moves backwards for a moment, even if it’s just by chance and without any further intention. The moment the leash slackens, she lets go of the dog. Wagner admits that it is a long learning process before the dog understands how to stand back and only ask if it can go.
Conclusion: It is desirable and possible to dispense with punishments, but it may take a long time because everyday life has surprises in store that are not on the curriculum.
A situation-related “Hey!”, as recommended by Clarissa von Reinhardt, a hand clapping, a sudden change of direction or unexpected behavior on the part of the dog handler can help to set positive learning impulses afterwards.
Conclusion: If you work with a fright, the quick change needs to be learned. If the dog responds to a “Hey” or a clapping of hands, a friendly “Come here” or “Look at me” follows, which can be rewarded.”
Many trainers see social isolation as an alternative to physical punishment. To discourage social abuse such as rough play, nibbling, jumping, or begging, the dog is left alone in another room for a period of time. This form of punishment is reminiscent of the coal cellar where naughty children used to go. It doesn’t inflict physical pain on the dog, but deprives it of something pleasant, namely the closeness of its human and with it the opportunity to experience affection and to interact socially. This approach is controversial, at least when the time-out lasts longer than a few minutes: “For a social creature like a dog, that’s a tough punishment,” says behavioral researcher Günther Bloch, who tends to reject this kind of no.
Conclusion: The short break protects against impulsive actions and mistakes that cannot be undone. But it’s debatable whether dogs can link cause and effect here: canids don’t discipline each other through social isolating. Restricting movement like sending him to his seat and fixing him there is typical for canines.
Here, non-observance is punished, one looks and walks through it, so to speak. The theory behind this is that dogs only do what is rewarding to them. If a behavior is not reinforced by attention, it eventually stops. However, this only works to a limited extent, because many unwanted behaviors are self-rewarding: It’s just fun to drive away postmen, dig for mice and chase everything that flees. If the dog is then ignored, he can let off steam undisturbed.
Conclusion: When ignoring, you have to differentiate: If the dog’s behavior is self-rewarding, this training method will not work. In addition, they should not be used when strangers are involved and are jumped on or confronted. Annoying begging can be stopped with consistency.
It doesn’t work without borders
… even if the term is unpopular. Boundaries can be so protective, it always depends on the point of view from which you look. A good strategy is to act proactively and proactively as early as possible to prevent mistakes and consequently avoid penalties as much as possible. Depending on the situation, this can be active, with a clear “I don’t want that!”, or passive, for example by putting on a leash in good time. Admittedly, that doesn’t always work. There are those days when we’re slow, when we don’t pay attention or misjudge a situation and the dog fights, chases, steals or destroys something. Sometimes it makes sense to then ignore his wrongdoing, sometimes it is more effective than punishing him. Whether that’s why you do it is another question. If you decide to do it, then you should do it right, namely immediately and with the necessary intensity. Because if the forest were poisoned…
How fast is an Afghan Hound?
Afghan hounds can reach a maximum speed of 60 to 80 km/h and are therefore sometimes faster than a Vespa. They reach top speeds primarily in dog racing or coursing.
Good to know: Peculiarities of the Afghan Hound
The Afghan is a well-known breed these days. He is also frequently represented in the media. For example, Cruella Deville from the cartoon 101 Dalmatians owns several Afghans and Barbie was also given an Afghan Hound in 1979. The famous painter Pablo Picasso was also a fan of this breed and owned an Afghan hound to which he dedicated several works of art.
It is also worth knowing that in 2005 the first dog to be cloned was an Afghan.
Disadvantages of the Afghan Hound
The Afghan is a beautiful and spirited animal, no question about it. Nevertheless, its pronounced hunting instinct can be fatal to its owners. Because of this instinct, greyhounds are almost never able to walk free without a leash. This becomes problematic if no alternative utilization options can be offered because the dogs absolutely need the opportunity to work out and run. Another disadvantage is that grooming is particularly time-consuming.
What are Afghan Hounds not allowed to eat?
There are now numerous myths surrounding toxic foods for dogs. Many statements are often too vague or contradictory and certainly not applicable to all dogs. This creates confusion and uncertainty for many dog owners.
We have scoured countless sources and with this article we would like to finally provide clarity! What are dogs not allowed to eat? Why are some foods safe for humans and toxic for dogs? How do you recognize the first signs of poisoning?
Be careful with these 10 foods
The following foods are safe for humans to consume, while even small amounts can be fatal for dogs. But why is that? In general, dogs have a slower metabolism and their body can therefore break down certain substances more slowly. For this reason, feeding small amounts of toxic foods such as chocolate over a longer period of time is deadly, as the toxins are stored in the dog’s body and are poorly processed. Always keep this in mind! Anyone who thinks they can give their dog a refreshing grape when it’s hot is wrong.
You should be more careful about what they eat, especially with puppies and young dogs. Because on the one hand their metabolism and their body react faster to the toxic food and on the other hand they have little experience like to nibble on a lot and often find a lot when they go for a walk.
Onions, garlic, wild garlic
For us pet owners, onions and garlic are used to flavor or enhance many savory dishes. These popular leeks are used raw, boiled, or fried in every household. However, caution should be exercised with dogs. Onions and garlic contain sulfides, which are toxic to dogs. They destroy the red blood cells and can thus cause anemia or inflammation of the stomach and intestinal mucosa. Whether raw, cooked or in powder form – onions or garlic are harmful to dogs from about 5 grams per kilogram of body weight. For a medium-sized dog, a clove of garlic would be fatal.
The first symptoms of onion poisoning are usually vomiting and diarrhea. After a few days, pale mucous membranes, bloody urine, refusal of water and food can become noticeable, which indicates anemia. This poisoning can lead to death.
Xylitol & other sweeteners
Sweeteners are extremely dangerous for our four-legged friends. Even small amounts can be life-threatening. But why are artificial sweeteners so dangerous for dogs? The reason for this is the strong release of insulin after consumption of the sweeteners, which leads to a drop in the sugar level. Blood sugar is controlled by insulin in both humans and animals. The difference, however, is that sweeteners do not affect this process in humans. In dogs, an extremely large amount of insulin is produced in a very short time, so that the first symptoms of poisoning appear after 20 minutes. The sweeteners erythritol, aspartame, sorbitol and stevia only slightly affect insulin secretion, but can trigger gastrointestinal symptoms.
The best known and most dangerous is the sweetener xylitol, xylitol or E967. This birch sugar is found in many foods such as candy, chewing gum, baked goods and toothpaste. Xylitol is used in particular in sugar-free foods or diet products. A drop in blood sugar can occur from as little as 0.1 grams per kilogram of body weight. There is also a risk of acute liver failure. The fatal dose here is 0.5 grams of xylitol.
After ingesting xylitol, dogs may become apathetic, weak, have seizures, tremble, vomit, and have a racing heart.
Chocolate & Cocoa
Cocoa contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. This substance is difficult for dogs to break down. The amount of the toxin depends on the cocoa content of the chocolate. Pure cocoa powder contains about 2% theobromine. While a bar of whole milk chocolate contains only 0.2 grams of theobromine, 100 grams of cocoa powder already contain 2 grams of theobromine.
However, theobromine is not only found in cocoa. Green and black tea also contain up to 0.26% of the toxic substance. From a dose of 0.1 grams per kilogram of body weight, the substance can cause death in dogs. There is practically no theobromine in white chocolate. It consists only of cocoa butter.
The first symptoms of poisoning only appear after 4 to 12 hours. The symptoms of poisoning can range from increased heart rate and breathing difficulties to impaired consciousness, diarrhea, vomiting and fever. This eventually leads to circulatory failure in the dog.
Want to know more about chocolate poisoning in dogs? There is a theobromine calculator here.
Macadamia nuts, bitter almonds and other nuts
Nuts are a sensitive topic in the dog world and should generally only be fed in moderation due to their increased fat content. Some nuts are even toxic to dogs.
Macadamia nuts are absolutely taboo for dogs! These contain cyanogenic glycosides, which are toxic to dogs. Even 4 nuts can cause life-threatening symptoms of poisoning in a medium-sized dog. Don’t feed them! Macadamia nuts cause symptoms of weakness, vomiting and fever in dogs.
Bitter almonds contain the substance amygdalin, which releases toxic hydrocyanic acid during digestion. Since this hydrocyanic acid is also produced in the dog’s stomach with apricot kernels etc., the symptoms of poisoning are similar.
As with humans, nutmegs are poisonous even in small quantities.
Be careful with peanuts! As in humans, these can cause allergies and should not be given to dogs with heart or kidney problems. In addition, there is a certain risk of fungi with pistachios, walnuts and other black nuts. While walnuts are mainly infested when they are fresh, pistachios develop mold that is dangerous for dogs if they are stored for a long time. So if you have a walnut tree near you, make sure that your dog does not have access to it.
You can feed your dog unsalted cashew nuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts, sweet almonds and Brazil nuts from time to time. They are rich in fiber and various vitamins.
Coffee
Foods containing caffeine are the most common cause of poisoning in dogs. The ingredient that is dangerous for dogs is found in caffeine and is called methylxanthine. This substance is closely related to the theobromine found in cocoa and causes life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
Since coffee contains 2% caffeine, a cup of coffee contains up to 0.2 grams of caffeine. Of course, other caffeinated drinks and foods such as cola, tea or ice cream are also taboo for dogs. The lethal amount of methylxanthine is 0.14 g per kilogram of body weight.
Caffeine has a stimulating effect on the dog’s circulation and increases the heart rate. This leads to the first symptoms such as restlessness, panting, cramps and lack of coordination. With stronger poisoning, the body temperature increases, dogs can fall into a coma and suffer cardiac arrest.
Raw Pork
Dogs should never eat raw pork. It can transmit the Aujetzki virus, which is harmless to humans. This disease is also called pseudo-rage and is always fatal for dogs! From 60 degrees, these herpes viruses are killed and the pork can be eaten by dogs with peace of mind. Although Germany has been considered a pseudorage-free country since 2004, you should always keep it in the back of your mind.
Hunting dogs or dogs that come into contact with game are particularly at risk. The Aujetzki virus is also found in the meat of wild boar and leads to nerve and brain inflammation in dogs.
Other typical symptoms of an infection are coordination problems, severe itching, fits of rage, changes in personality and unconsciousness. The disease is fatal within two days of the onset of symptoms.
Potatoes, tomatoes & other nightshades
Nightshade plants such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or aubergines should not be fed to dogs raw. Unripe green tomatoes or potatoes in particular contain a high proportion of the toxic substance solanine.
Only if you cook the vegetables can you serve them to your dog without hesitation. Solanine is water soluble and goes straight into the cooking water. Make sure, however, that you pour away the cooking water afterwards and do not reuse it for soups, for example. Because solanine is heat resistant. Dogs can also eat overripe tomatoes (without the stalk!), because they lose the solanine content when they are fully ripe.
Green tomatoes, on the other hand, contain up to 0.03% solanine. However, if you want to be on the safe side, don’t give raw nightshade to dogs. The lethal dose of solanine for dogs is not yet known and varies from dog to dog.
Solanine is also slightly toxic for humans and can cause nausea in large quantities, among other things. Symptoms in dogs are similar, ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to mucosal irritation.
Stone fruit
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a cherry, peach, nectarine or plum – they all have one thing in common – the stone in the middle. This core contains the substance cyanide, which is toxic to dogs and which is converted to hydrocyanic acid in the stomach. This substance is also contained in the cores of apples. In the worst case, the hydrocyanic acid can shut down the dog’s cell respiration and thus kill the cells due to a lack of oxygen. This thus causes internal asphyxiation of the dog. However, these poisoning symptoms are said to have only occurred when large quantities were consumed.
In addition to the cyanide, there is another danger hidden behind the stone fruit itself. Because of its sharp-edged corners, it can injure the esophagus, stomach or intestines or even lead to life-threatening constipation.
The stone fruit itself is not poisonous, only the stone can be dangerous. So if you want to give your dog something fruity, always make sure that there are no seeds or remains of seeds left!
Symptoms of poisoning include convulsions, shortness of breath, drooling, diarrhea, vomiting and fever.
Grapes & Raisins
Fresh grapes are great for people as a snack between meals. However, these are toxic to some dogs. The oxalic acid in the grapes dramatically increases the calcium levels in the dog’s blood, causing kidney levels to rise. It doesn’t matter whether the dog eats seedless grapes or grapes with seeds. In raisins or pomace, these substances are present in even larger amounts. Attention: oxalic acid is also contained in other foods such as rhubarb, chard and spinach. Symptoms of poisoning can occur in dogs from 10 grams per kilogram of body weight.
But opinions on this are divided. While American scientists have determined a critical amount of 116 grams of grapes per kilogram, researchers from Great Britain report a lethal amount of 16 grams of raisins. Not all dog breeds are equally at risk. Grapes are only poisonous in some dogs with a predisposition to intolerance.
Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or stomach cramps can result from poisoning. In the worst case, this ends with kidney failure and the death of the dog.
Avocado
It is also better not to feed avocados to dogs. The reason for this is the persine it contains. This toxic substance damages the dog’s heart muscle and can lead to death. However, the amount of persin in avocados varies from variety to variety and is only found in very small amounts in the flesh. Thus, avocados are not necessarily harmful to the dog. The core of the avocado poses a much greater risk. Not only does it contain a larger proportion of persin, it also poses the risk of swallowing or suffocation.
In addition to the classic symptoms of poisoning such as vomiting and diarrhea, shortness of breath, ascites and coughing can be signs of heart failure.
What to do when eating these toxic foods?
If vomiting occurs immediately after ingesting the toxic food, worse things can often be prevented and any symptoms of poisoning can be avoided. Your first aid for the dog is relatively limited. Depending on the progression and type of poisoning, your dog will often be given a barf injection at the vet’s.
However, in the case of all poisonings, quick action is important and often decisive for further treatment. In any case, you should contact a veterinarian or the animal hospital immediately. You may be able to get some initial tips here. Even if you can’t observe any obvious signs of poisoning, it’s important to discuss how to proceed with the veterinarian.
Is the Afghan Hound right for me?
This breed is basically only suitable for sporty and active people. With occasional jogging, this dog can neither be fully utilized nor happy.
You should also have some dog experience and knowledge of dog training, because training these dogs can be difficult at times. Consistency, calm and patience are required.
A fenced garden should also be available to the Afghan hound, and keeping these animals purely as an apartment should definitely be avoided.
If children live in the household, they should be a little older and have learned to treat dogs with respect. The Afghan is a stubborn and yet very sensitive animal.
Because keeping and training these dogs is so demanding, there are few breeders compared to other breeds. Within a year in Germany, for example, only around 120 puppies are offered for breeding by recognized breeders. So if you want to get such a magnificent animal, you should take enough time to find a reputable breeder who belongs to an official breeding club. When choosing a breeder, it is equally important to know whether they breed sporting dogs or show dogs. Show dogs have a coat that requires more care, sporting dogs may have an even greater urge to move and run than the “normal” Afghan hound.
How much does an Afghan Hound cost?
An Afghan from reputable, recognized breeding is priced at $1000 to $1300. In order to get a healthy dog, this sum should definitely be invested.
