From their history to their glamorous looks, Afghan Hounds are arguably one of the most iconic dogs in the entire canine kingdom. Believed to have existed for thousands of years, these dogs have undergone a major transformation to become the graceful pet they’re today. Afghan Hounds branched off from sighthounds, and for several centuries they were renowned for their fast running abilities. This trait helped them become a beloved companion for the hunters. However, due to their clownish, docile, and affectionate disposition, the dog gradually gained the status of a family pet– an expensive one at that! In this article, we’ll discuss all the aspects related to purchasing and owning Afghan Hounds in India.
Availability of Afghan Hound in India
An Afghan Hound’s elegant silky locks and graceful eyes don’t come cheap. This is especially true for India. Due to the low demand and less popularity of this regal breed, the Afghan Hounds are fairly rare and expensive. However, a breeder may have the dog available for purchase in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
Price Of The Afghan Hound In India
In India, Afghan Hound prices can vary significantly based on several factors. On average, you can expect to pay around INR 60,000 to INR 80,000 for an Afghan Hound puppy. This range is influenced by factors like certification, lineage, and quality.
Puppies without Kennel Club of India (KCI) certification may fall within the lower end of the price spectrum. However, if certification is in order, along with a reputable bloodline, the ownership experience is likely to be more satisfying.
Show-Quality Afghan Hounds Price
If you’re aiming to participate in dog shows and want a show-quality Afghan Hound, be prepared to invest more. The price for a show-quality pup can range from INR 1,20,000 to INR 1,80,000. These dogs are bred to meet strict breed standards and are more likely to excel in show rings.
Monthly Maintenance Cost of Afghan Hound in India
Consistent with their extravagant purchase price, the Afghan Hounds are also incredibly expensive to maintain. Being a large dog breed, one of the highest monthly costs for this breed is the feeding costs. These dogs require at least 2 to 2.5 cups of dry kibble daily to meet their nutritional demands.
Further, Afghan Hounds are known for their luxurious and long hair, which requires consistent maintenance to be healthy. Hence, professional grooming sessions are necessary for this breed to look well. Besides these, vet visits and health care costs may also rack up to a hefty amount. Therefore, considering these expenses, you can expect to spend INR 6,000 to INR 8,000 on this breed.
Afghan Hound Breed Info
| Breed Name | Afghan Hound |
|---|---|
| Origin | Afghanistan |
| Other Names | Affie |
| Lifespan | 12 – 15 years |
| Breed group | Hound |
| Height | 24 – 29 inches |
| Weight | 18 to 27 kg (40 to 60 pounds) |
| Temperament | Intelligent, active, high-maintenance, prey-driven (will chase cats), quiet |
| Shedding | Moderate |
| Litter size | 6 to 8 puppies |
| Compatibility with other pets | Generally no |
| Children Friendly | Yes |
| Coat Type | Extremely thin, dense, silky, smooth, long, and straight coating |
| Coat Colors | Black, red, cream, blue, silver, white |
| Health Concern | Juvenile cataracts, hip and elbow dysplasia, thyroiditis, laryngeal paralysis, and bleeding conditions such as von Willebrand disease |
| Hypoallergenic Breed | Yes |
| Space Requirements | House with yard |
| Trainability | Moderate |
| Energy Level | High energy |
| Grooming Requirements | High |
| Average Price | ₹60,000 to ₹80,000 |
Brief History and Origin of Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hounds are considered one of the basal breeds that branched off from the sighthound groups of dogs. Their DNA is believed to be thousands of years old, with origins in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. However, the breed’s status as Afghan Hounds is rooted in Afghanistan, where this regal breed was called Tazi.
It is believed that an English officer first started breeding these dogs. It wasn’t until 1925 that the Afghan Hounds crossed borders to be introduced to Englishmen. Soon enough, the Afghan Hound’s elegance and charm made their way into America, where the breed was recognized in 1926.
Despite the recognition, the breed’s popularity only peaked in the late 1970s. During this decade, the charming and chic Barbie acquired a pet, Beauty, that would match her personality. Beauty was none other than the refined and sophisticated Afghan Hound. It was then the popularity of this breed soared overnight. Quickly enough, the breed became the ring star with its stylish persona and silky smooth hair.
Physical Characteristics of Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hounds are distinctive-looking dogs with traits that have been refined over centuries. They feature a sophisticated skull, muzzle, and floppy ears, harmoniously imparting the dog a delicate look. They’re also covered in thick layers of glamourous silky, long fur. Their impressive features and expressive looks have earned them the title of “King of Dogs.”
At maturity, the Afghan Hounds can go up to 25 to 27 inches and tip the weighing scales to 23 to 27 kg (50 to 60 pounds). Hence due to being a slightly larger size, the Afghan Hounds aren’t suitable for apartment living. They’re sleek-looking dogs; hence they tend to appear taller and slender.
The luxurious coat of the Afghan Hounds is unambiguously the best feature of the dog. The lengthy and silky coats come in a wide range of colors making the breed an incredible hit among dog lovers. Some common colors of the Afghan Hound are white, cream, red, black, black and tan, and even blue. Besides these, the Afghan Hounds can also feature in brindle or domino shade, distinguished by the “window’s peak.” Moreover, the cream and red Afghan Hounds often feature a black mask in their coat.
Temperament and Personality Traits of Afghan Hound
Dignified, moody, and goofy are all adjectives that can be used to describe this breed. Staying true to their regal nature, the Afghan Hounds are known for having a mind of their own. However, aggressiveness is not a trait the breed is equated with.
Afghan Hounds have a personality that is only apparent to people they’re comfortable with. Hence, warming up to guests is usually not on their agenda. However, a well-trained Afghan Hound would hardly be notorious with the guests. With that said, despite their standoffish nature with strangers, the dogs do not make good watchdogs as the breed is not vocal and doesn’t bark a lot– a plus for people looking for a quiet dog.
Since the breed was a hunter’s friend for centuries, they rank high on the intellectual scale. As a consequence of training, this breed can be dicey. They’re confident, self-assured, and stubborn dogs who won’t fare well with first-time owners. A consistent, assertive, and structured training regimen is required for the Affie pups to mature into well-behaved dogs. Moreover, since Afghan Hounds are hardly motivated by food or play, owners can easily lose their cool. Hence it’s crucial to remember that rough handling of the dog would foster an aggressive personality. The best way to get through to your Affie is by kindness, patience, and gentleness.
Suitability as a Pet for Families and Individuals
Afghan Hounds were initially developed to assist hunters; however, over time, the breed’s glamorous personality took over. Today, the breed comfortably enjoys the status of a family pet. For families with children, Afghan Hounds can become perfect playmates. They’re playful, affectionate, and loving. However, since these dogs are highly sensitive and moody, they’re only playful when they choose to be.
These hounds also have incredibly high energy levels, hence are only suitable for families with an active lifestyle that can meet the breed’s energy demands. Afghan Hounds were built to chase and run; hence, a big fenced yard is necessary for this breed. For this reason, the dogs aren’t well suited for apartment living.
Additionally, since the breed branched off from the sighthounds and has been a loyal friend of the hunters, the Affies tend to have a high prey drive. Despite being away from the hunting field for a long time, the breed has retained its hunting instincts. Hence, the Afghan Hounds are not recommended for families with other dogs or pets. Moreover, due to the high prey drive, even with consistent training, the dogs shouldn’t be let off the leash in open environments.
Afghan Hound Comparison With Other Dog Breeds
| Breed Name | Breed Group | Compatibility with Children | Compatibility with Other Pets | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghan Hound | Hound | Good with older kids | Generally no | INR 60,000 to INR 80,000 |
| Dachshund | Hound | Good with young as well old kids | Generally no | INR 9,000 to INR 20,400 |
| Greyhound | Hound | Good with older kids | Good with other pets | INR 30,000 to INR 50,000 |
| Mudhol Hound | Hound | Tolerant of kids | Generally good with other pets, but may chase small animals | INR 8,000 to INR 15,000 |
| Kanni Hound | Hound | Good with kids | Generally no | INR 10,000 to INR 22,000 |
Pros and Cons of Owning Afghan Hound in India
Pros:
- Afghan Hounds are high-energy breeds perfect for families with older children. They love playtime and enjoy being with their people, proving to be perfect playmates.
- Afghan Hounds have high energy levels; however, spending time with their family ranks high in their activity list. They’re calm and laidback dogs and don’t shy away from showing love and affection to their favorite people.
- Afghan Hounds are a generally healthy dog breed that is not afflicted by many diseases that usually afflict common dog breeds.
- Affies are one of the few exotic dog breeds that can survive well in the tropical climate of India.
Cons:
- Besides being one of the most expensive breeds to buy in India, the Afghan Hounds are also expensive to care for. The grooming expenses of the breed alone can amount to a hefty sum, as the breed needs recurrent sessions to stay in good shape.
- Afghan Hounds have a high prey drive; hence living with other pets is not ideal for this breed.
- Affies require a large yard to run around as running is one of their favorite activities. With that said, this yard should be properly fenced, as Afghan Hounds are well-known escape artists.
- Afghan Hounds tend to be very moody, sensitive, and independent, making the breed difficult to train.
How to Purchase an Afghan Hound in India?
Sourcing an Afghan Hound in India might be dicey given the breed’s low popularity. Typically, there are two ways to bring a dog home: adoption and purchasing from a breeder. However, with the Afghan Hounds, they are unlikely to be found in a shelter. On the off chance that you do, it’s crucial to ask for health records and other documentation of the dog.
Buying the breed is the most feasible option for bringing your Afghan Hound home. The best place to buy your Afghan Hound from is likely a breeder who breeds exotic dogs or imports them. Importing the dog may be costlier than finding an Afghan Hound breeder. Once you zero in on the breeder, there are several things that you need to consider before finalizing the deal. Below we discuss some aspects.
What to Consider When Purchasing an Afghan Hound?
Most foreign breeds are mishandled to meet increasing demands in the market. However, since the Afghan Hounds rank low on the popularity scale, the chances of mishandling and mistreatment are low. That said, caution needs to be exercised when dealing with a breeder. Here is a checklist to ensure you purchase your Afghan Hound from an ethical breeder.
- Pedigree: Most likely, your Afghan Hound pup or its parents have been imported from a foreign country. Ensuring this pup has a well-maintained pedigree record is essential to rule out the risk of genetic diseases. Pedigree information is especially crucial when you’re purchasing a show-quality dog.
- Health screenings: Most reputable kennels and breeders screen their dogs for all possible health issues to which the breed may be susceptible. For Afghan Hounds, the possible diseases may be hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, von Willebrand’s disease, and juvenile cataracts. It’s best to verify all screenings the breeder produces.
- Breeder reputation: A breeder’s reputation plays a huge role in the ownership experience of your dog. Typically, reputable breeders are well-known for producing well-behaved, well-trained dogs. These breeders are also extra careful about where their dogs will live; hence they ask prospective buyers multiple questions to discern if the breed is right for them.
- Lifestyle: Getting a dog home is a life-altering decision. It affects almost every aspect of the owner’s life. Hence, it becomes crucial to analyze your lifestyle and pick a breed that can keep up with it. For Afghan Hounds, an active family or individual is ideal. Although these dogs are not overly affectionate, they tend to make loving companions to their favorite people. Additionally, the dogs require a daily activity session of at least 40 minutes to expend all their energy for the day. Therefore, before bringing an Affie home, ensure you can meet their physical and emotional demands.
- Ongoing costs: Afghan Hounds are the stars anywhere they go, and to keep them looking, their best grooming is essential! This breed’s luxurious hair needs consistent and effortful upkeep. Professional grooming sessions alone can rack up a hefty bill. Further, since this breed is larger, the food costs may also be relatively high.
Frequently Asked Questions about Afghan Hound
Are Afghan Hounds good with children?
Afghan Hounds can make the best playmates for older children. However, the dog is fairly independent and needs its own space. Hence the children must be taught to respect its boundaries. Additionally, toddlers tend to startle the dog easily, which makes them ill-suited for such families. With that said, if your Afghan Hound pup grows with the children in the house, they’re less likely to exhibit annoyance and irritation at the kids.
Are Afghan Hounds trainable?
Afghan Hounds are smart animals. However, they rank fairly low on the intelligence scale. They’re well below the German Shepherd and Border Collie, mostly because the breed is difficult to train. Afghan Hounds are independent dogs that tend to be stubborn, making them particularly difficult to train. Further, they also tend to lack the focus required to grasp a command, as the dogs are easily distracted.
Are Afghan Hounds good with other pets?
Generally, the Afghan Hounds are best for homes where they are the only pet. This breed has a high prey drive that manifests in the tendency to chase small animals. Hence they may try to hunt and chase other pets in the house. However, the dogs can develop close ties with other pets if they grow up with them. Even so, keeping Afghan Hounds with other pets is dicey.
Are Afghan Hounds good for first-time owners?
Since Afghan Hounds aren’t the most trainable dogs, they may be quite a handful for first-time owners. These dogs tend to be babyish, stubborn, and independent, making them difficult to control. Additionally, even with consistent training, an Afghan Hound cannot be let off the leash as this breed is a well-known escape artist.
Do Afghan Hounds make good guard dogs?
Although Afghan Hounds are wary of strangers and tend to be aloof, the breed doesn’t serve as a good guard dog. They lack the territorial and protective nature that makes a good guard dog.
Conclusion
Owning an Afghan Hound in India is an expensive endeavor both financially and in terms of time and effort. These dogs are known for their glamor in the show ring and can also make excellent family pets devoted to their favorite person. However, raising this dog requires more than big bucks, as developing a close tie with the pup determines how the dog behaves at maturity. Moreover, the Afghan Hounds are not well-suited for people constantly on a time crunch as the breed requires immense effort in frequent grooming and activity sessions. However, once you’ve covered these bases, owning an Afghan Hound can be rewarding, especially if you are its favorite person. These loyal, intelligent, and clownish dogs are a joy to live with once they’re comfortable with you.