The FCI standard says the Afghan Hound looks at and through you. Rarely does a breed standard capture an expression so precisely. Behind that silky hair is a hunter from Afghanistan’s mountains who, according to the standard, will chase whenever given the chance.
| FCI | Group 10 (Sighthounds), Section 1 Long-haired or fringed Sighthounds, Standard No. 228 Afghan Hound, without working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Afghanistan (patronage: Great Britain) |
| Size (height at the withers) | ideal: males 68 to 74 cm, females 63 to 69 cm |
| Weight | not specified in the FCI standard |
| Life expectancy | median 11.1 years in a UK analysis of 584,734 dogs, including 380 Afghan Hounds (McMillan et al. 2024) |
| Coat | long and very fine on ribs, forequarters, hindquarters and flanks; a short saddle in adults; silky topknot; must develop naturally |
| Colours in the standard | all colours except merle; white markings on the head or neck highly undesirable |
From the mountains to London
According to the standard, the first Afghan Hounds reached Great Britain in the early 20th century. One, Zardin, won a major show at London’s Crystal Palace in 1907. The breed is also known as the Tazi. Today it is also a show dog, intended to combine strength and dignity with long, silky hair. The same section includes the Saluki and Borzoi.
What the grooming table demands
The long, fine hair mats quickly, especially under the forelegs, around the hind-leg feathering and behind the ears. Schedule thorough brushing down to the skin several times weekly, plus regular baths and careful drying. Clipping is not a solution under the standard, which calls for a naturally developing coat. A family pet’s coat can be shortened, but the characteristic appearance is then lost.
Pride and a mind of their own
Dignified and aloof, with a certain keen fierceness: that is how the standard describes the temperament. Afghan Hounds usually keep their distance from strangers. Responding obediently to every command is not their strength; they like making decisions. Calm consistency and plenty of reward achieve more than repetition and harshness.
Off-lead freedom behind a fence
The standard describes the movement as smooth and springy. This dog needs regular opportunities to run, preferably in secure areas or through lure coursing. In open fields, a long line remains essential: a fleeing hare has more influence than any call. After woodland walks, check the coat for burrs.
What studies tell us
With a median of 11.1 years in McMillan and colleagues’ UK analysis, Afghan Hounds lived less long than crossbreeds at 12.0 years, with a 35 percent higher mortality risk. A rare but serious condition is lung lobe torsion, in which a lung lobe twists on its axis. Afghan Hounds were overrepresented in a clinical study of 22 affected dogs. 8 of the 22 had chylothorax, an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the chest, including 4 Afghan Hounds (Neath et al. 2000). The sample is small. Sudden fast, shallow or laboured breathing calls for an immediate visit to a veterinary hospital.
For people with patience and a brush
Suitable for experienced owners who make grooming a regular commitment, respect an independent dog and can provide secure running space.
When to say no
If you have little time, want an obedient off-lead dog or live with cats and small pets. A neglected Afghan coat is a real burden for the dog, rather than a matter of style.
Our breed quiz helps you assess whether you have the time and patience for this much coat and independence. Our book “Which Dog REALLY Suits You?” (book in German) explores the question further. For the first weeks with a puppy, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. A freshly brushed Afghan looks good on a magazine-cover canvas; find more ideas among our dog portraits.
Further reading
- Autumn shedding in dogs and cats: what is normal and when it is not
- The socialisation period: why “as much as possible” is the wrong advice
- Puppy training: the 5 rules that really work
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI Standard No. 228 Afghan Hound (fci.be, English version dated 06.10.2026, validly published on 08.09.2026; no German version is published); Neath PJ et al., Lung lobe torsion in dogs: 22 cases (1981 bis 1999), Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2000; McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024.
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