Afghan Hound

[pixie_meg]

Lowenhart, do they not hipscore because the incidence of HD is low in the breed.

Does anyone know what the Average Hipscore is for an Afghan is?

I'd also like to know. thought i saw a website somewhere with that info.

Another Q. Do i have a hope in hell of getting a domino or blue pet afghan?

[Darkrai]

Domino's and blue frequent litters, just depends on when they are born and when you are looking.

My girl Imy has a Domino sister and from what i've heard a Blue and Tan Brother, my other girl Xanthe is a domino blue cream (she was born a Domino) but became cream/gold, Lowenhart had a simliar one, she might be able to explain it better then me, but also in the same litter where 3-4 other blues and other dominos.

But with brindling in Afghans a lot of blues and Donmino are coming out Domino-brindle or blue-brindle.

[pixie_meg]

But with brindling in Afghans a lot of blues and Donmino are coming out Domino-brindle or blue-brindle.

don't mind a blue brindle or domino brindle. Still have to wait atleast 3 months before looking for a dog due to finding an appropriate residence. I will have to wait a little while regardless i think.

[Lowenhart]

Lowenhart, do they not hipscore because the incidence of HD is low in the breed.

Does anyone know what the Average Hipscore is for an Afghan is?

I'd also like to know. thought i saw a website somewhere with that info.

Another Q. Do i have a hope in hell of getting a domino or blue pet afghan?

I have been exhibiting Afghans for 20 years and my family have had the breed for much longer (30+ years) and we have never had an Afghan confirmed to have HD. One dog we bred in the 80's was diagnosed with HD by a small town vet, we took the dog back and got him looked at by an orthopedic specialist and he his hips were fine - he had a pinched nerve in his back.

Of the joint diseases, OCD is the most common. It is evident in a young dog so it's usually picked up before any breeding goes on. I've heard of a couple of cases of it, but I would not call it common nor regular.

I have never xrayed hips or elbows on my dogs.

Very much like greyhounds, Afghans are less prone to HD. The further the breed is bred away from it's original form for function, the higher the chance of developing it.

[Lowenhart]

Domino's and blue frequent litters, just depends on when they are born and when you are looking.

My girl Imy has a Domino sister and from what i've heard a Blue and Tan Brother, my other girl Xanthe is a domino blue cream (she was born a Domino) but became cream/gold, Lowenhart had a simliar one, she might be able to explain it better then me, but also in the same litter where 3-4 other blues and other dominos.

But with brindling in Afghans a lot of blues and Donmino are coming out Domino-brindle or blue-brindle.

Actually it depends on the parents. You won't get blues from 2 gold parents.

Dominos appear every now and then, though there does tend to be a run on them and then none for ages. One breeder told me of their frustration trying to get really dark blue dominos and that they only managed 1 in a large number of litters where the sire was the colour.

My domino cream girl was in a litter of Golds & Red Brindles. The sire and his father only throw dominos, no Black & Tans. Domino is a modification of Black & Tan so it usually appears next to Black & Tans in litters.

My blues (a few years ago) came from a Black bitch (carrying Blue way back) bred to a Oyster Blue Brindle.

Blues and Dominos colours are more "specialist" and will appear in only a few combinations. Most long time breeders have an idea if that colour is possible from the breeding they are doing.

[Keshwar]

LEGEND OF HOW THE AFGHAN HOUND BECAME SCENTED

There must be folks out there who don't know this legend, so if I have your indulgence and you have the timeI will tell you the story once again.

I will tell the legend of why some Afghans carry a haunting odor with them for life. Science being science will likely have a much more cut and dried answer to this question, but for me, being among those fortunate enough to experience this wonder...

I'll take the legend...

This is a story of a Princess, wonderful hounds, a very deep love and a promise kept.

It happened long ago, and very far away. Far away over the seas, over the mountains and valleys to a land called Afghanistan. Afghanistan borders on the country of China. It is a land of sharp crags, steep cliffs, and deep gullies. The soil is hard to till. It is also a land of stark beauty, a fiercely proud people and the ancestral home of our beloved Afghan Hounds.

A very long time ago, as we measure time, the Kingdom was ruled by a great Khan. Each day the Khan mounted his horse and rode out to meet with his people and see to their needs. He was much loved throughout his Kingdom because he had such a caring heart.

Each day his daughter Farrah rode by his side. She was a beautiful child, large dark eyes and braided black hair that hung to her waist. The people loved Farrah as they loved her father. Her eyes always laughed. Her hands always reached out in friendliness. Though she was young, she was learning the lessons of her father's example very well.

Farrah had another great love in her life, the magnificent dogs that ran beside them each day on their rounds. These beautiful hounds filled her heart with joy and they returned her love a hundred times over. Every day the Princess would pluck sprigs of Jasmine, which grew on the hillsides. Then, she would tuck a sprig under the collar of her most favoured. Jasmine was Farrah's special scent, it filled the air with it's musky and mysterious odor. She told her father how much it seemed to belong to the Afghan Hound. These dogs, in whose eyes you could see the reflection of hundreds of years gone by. Her father always explained to her how wise they were. When they were set on the hunt, following the hawk that led them until their prey came into their far seeing eyesight, they had to think for themselves. Racing over the mountain sides and deep gullies there was none who could keep up with them. Her father agreed that they were truly dogs of great mystery.

Princess Farrah grew to be a beautiful young woman. On days when her father was unable to ride out among his people, Farrah and her hounds went in his place.

As Farrah had grown, the people had only learned to cherish her more. They would call out greetings to her and wave as she rode by. She would quietly listen to any problem that was brought to her and she would take it to her father so that he could apply his wisdom and create an answer. Wherever the princess went, whether riding across the mountainside or strolling through the palace, she was accompanied by her beloved dogs. A head was never far from her hand. She would reach out and stroke this noble creature and this caring was always returned. A gentle rub of a head against her leg or if sitting, her touch would be acknowledged by a gentle breath of air across her neck as a dog placed his head on her shoulder.

Time passed and the princess was to be wed. Her husband to be was a handsome young prince from a neighboring kingdom. Like the Khan, the Prince too was a good man. He respected his people and admired their hard work and dedication to their land. As was the custom of their land, it had been decided long ago that these two would marry. From childhood he had heard Farrah's name. He had learned that she was beautiful and kind. He knew also that she was intelligent, she understood her people. He loved her deeply for all of her qualities, long before he met her.

Wedding preparations took over the palace. Even the dogs caught the excitement. They barked, jumped and ran with joy. Sprigs of Jasmine were everywhere. The beautiful and mysterious aroma filled the palace. Servants moved with light steps. No chore was too difficult or too tiring to be carried out. The wedding garments were ready. The palace sparkled. Tables were laden with food and guests were beginning to arrive from far away kingdoms. It was a magical time.

Suddenly the joy ceased. The palace was hushed. The Princess was ill. It struck without warning. One day she was laughing and dancing and the next she could not rise from her bed. The Princess' beloved dogs sensed that this was very serious. On silent paws they moved around her. Each in turn took his place at her side and pushed against her hand with his head. Farrah's treasured female, heavy with whelp, never left the foot of her bed, her head lay gently across the princess' legs.

The Khan was overcome by an all-encompassing sadness. The light that filled his life was fading. He sat on one side of her bed, the Prince on the other. Two powerful men, totally devastated by what was happening. Tow powerful men, totally unable to do anything to stop what seemed to be inevitable. Their princess was leaving them and time was short.

Farrah opened her eyes and clasped the hand of her father in one hand and that of her Prince in the other. She pressed them to her cheeks and they could feel the warmth of her tears.

"I must leave you now," she said, her voice was soft and weak, "but I will come back to you and you will know that I am here".

How could this be? The two men looked at one another.

Again the halting whisper, "believe me when I say, you will know that I am with you".

How could she be back with them and how could they know? They shook their heads. It is the fever, their eyes seemed to say. And then she was gone.

Great sadness filled the palace. Servants moved so quietly they appeared to glide over the floor. The laughter and joy so vibrant only days ago, was replaced by crushing sorrow.

It was only a few days after her passing that Farrah's favorite lady let it be known that her time to deliver had arrived. Ahmed, the trusted master of the dogs, was ready. Nothing must happen to this wondrous animal. All must go well. The puppies began to make their way into the world and as they did, Ahmed realized that something astounding was happening. He must get the Khan and the Prince. Immediately he arose and ran down the hall, calling for them to, "come, come quickly".

The two men followed the servant in haste and yet with great foreboding. Cautiously they approached the doorway. As they did, an all too familiar scent filled their nostrils; it was the scent of Jasmine. It could not be. The servants had removed all traces of Jasmine after the Princess died. There was none to be found anywhere within the palace walls. But the scent was here, in this room. Slowly, the two men approached the mother and her babes. The scent became stronger. They looked at one another in astonishment. They reached down and raised a small wiggling puppy. There it was....on the puppy's head, the scent of Jasmine.

Astonishment filled their faces. Now they knew. Now they understood. They had no doubts at all. The Princess had kept her promise. She was here. She had rejoined them.

Today, when a litter of Afghan Hounds is born, sometimes there is, hovering over them, around them and with them the scent of Jasmine. For those fortunate enough to experience this marvelous phenomenon, they too will know that the Princess has once again kept her promise.

[Darkrai]

Would love to meet a scented Afghan one day just to see what the smells like

[tarakay]

I think hip scores are done by very very few breeders here today. When I was active in the breed the person who bred ours insisted and still does of having them done,our results have been excellent,and if we ever have another in the ring(still got oldies) they will be done.We also get eyes tested.

[Esky the husky]

Wow, thats such a beautiful story.

Random question, Obviously afgans would do quite well in hot temperatures. But how about in the winter. Do their coats help keep them warm at all, or what purpose does the long coat serve?

[Keshwar]

Wow, thats such a beautiful story.

Random question, Obviously afgans would do quite well in hot temperatures. But how about in the winter. Do their coats help keep them warm at all, or what purpose does the long coat serve?

They seem to cope quite well in snow -

The coat serves as protection from the elements. Remember Afghan Hounds also came from the mountainous areas of Afghanistan.

The coat on modern show dogs is totally different to those in Afghanistan.

[Lowenhart]

I've owned some scented dogs - they've smelled kind of like a musky mandarin. It is strongest when they haven't been bathed and it has always been on a single spot on the skull.

[Darkrai]

hmmmm i think xanthe might be one she's always had this funny smell, unlike Imy or Luc

[farrow]

"An Afghan puppy will eagerly seek affection from family members, just like puppies of any breed, but this puppyhood behavior can fool unsuspecting owners. Cute puppy antics diminish as the Afghan matures. A mature Afghan Hound does not lavish attention on anyone, and sometimes doen't even want to be hugged or petted. The free-thinking, independent Afghan will decide for himself when he wants affection, and it will be on his terms--not yours."

How true is this statement? I always considered Afghan's to be quiet and indepedendent yet still extremely affectionate to their person. What is their interest in humans by adulthood? I'm guessing they won't follow you around the house lol

Source of quote: http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/afghan-hound

[SkySoaringMagpie]

"An Afghan puppy will eagerly seek affection from family members, just like puppies of any breed, but this puppyhood behavior can fool unsuspecting owners. Cute puppy antics diminish as the Afghan matures. A mature Afghan Hound does not lavish attention on anyone, and sometimes doen't even want to be hugged or petted. The free-thinking, independent Afghan will decide for himself when he wants affection, and it will be on his terms--not yours."

How true is this statement? I always considered Afghan's to be quiet and indepedendent yet still extremely affectionate to their person. What is their interest in humans by adulthood? I'm guessing they won't follow you around the house lol

It depends, and there are always variations within a breed, but I think they are correct to point out that the adult temperament is often quite different to a puppy temperament. Hugging and petting is usually not their style but ours like good skritch over the croup or a tummy rub. This is the King of Dogs we're talking about here, and while they are good at playing the fool, they are not a sickly sweet or needy dog.

I consider ours affectionate, but OH and I are quite independent, and don't ask much of them in this respect. If they want to hang out with us, they do, if they'd prefer to be outside surveying their domain, that's fine too. They don't follow us around constantly, but every now and then they decide we could use some supervision. Like a Saluki, I think you really have to earn their devotion, and have to understand that that devotion is not "displayed" the same way it is by a cocker spaniel.