Afghan Hound

Other Names: Tazi, Baluchi HoundCountry of Origin: AfghanistanLifespan: 12-14 YearsMale Height: 25.5-27.5 InchesMale Weight: 60 PoundsFemale Height: 23.5-25.5 InchesFemale Weight: 50 PoundsAmerican Kennel Club Classification : Hound GroupCanadian Kennel Club Classification : HoundsKennel Club (Great Britain) Classification : HoundAfghan Hound CharacteristicsThe Afghan is a desert dog that moved to the mountains. This shift from hot to cold necessitated a long fur coat. Selective breeding gave the Afghan his long coat and high-set hipbones that allow them to run easily over rugged terrain. They may look like "take-it-easy" movie stars, but they are fearless hunters.Afghans and other sight-hounds were bred to be faster than the prey that they hunted. The Afghan's deep chest and light bones enables him to run for hours in pursuit of game. Afghans can accelerate very rapidly and are able to stop on a dime.Know Your Afghan HoundThe Afghan Hound is a medium to large 55 to 65 pound dog that grows to between 24 and 29" in height. The Afghan Hound has long, silky hair and appears to be both elegant, reserved and agile. But, don't let the looks fool you. They can run, frolic and play with the best of the dogs.Afghan Hounds comes in a variety of colors including Black, red, cream, fawn and brindle. Fawn, cream and brindle Afghans typically have a black mask on face or on fringe of ears. White markings are discouraged by the AKC. In contrast to the long hair on its body, the Afghan Hound as a long, thin tail that curls on the end and is covered with short hair. Because of their long, thick hair, the Afghan Hound requires regular grooming.They are very energetic and affectionate dogs. They get along with children, other dogs and pets, especially those that they know from puppyhood. They do not always get along with cats, especially those that they aren't familiar with. Some Afghan Hounds can be more on the timid or high strung side, so they are recommended more for older or well behaved children. The Afghan Hound is an ideal dog for homes where they will get plenty of exercise, outside play and where there is ample room to roam and explore.The breed can date itself back over 5000 years. It is native to Afghanistan. It is a sight hound and was originally used for herding, hunting and as a watchdog. Due to its quick speed, it made an excellent hunting animal to pursue game. It only reached Europe and the United States in the 1900s because its exportation was prohibited. The Afghan Hound is now used mainly as companion, watchdog and hunting dog.This dog with a dignified air is a loyal and faithful companion. They make good watchdogs and a great companion for an active family that enjoys exercise and play. If you choose an Afghan then plan on a lifetime of love and enjoyment from your new pet.Is An Afghan Hound Puppy The Right Choice For Me And My family?The Afghan hound can be an great choice for you and your family, as long as you do not have very young children. Even older children need to learn to respect the hound and leave it alone when it has had enough. You need to have a place where this dog can run or gallop full out for as long as a half hour a day. You must be willing to spend serious time grooming his coat. Because of his aloofness, he may decide to ignore your commands so you must also be willing to spend a great deal of training time with him. Never leave very young children alone with any dog.The Afghan hound is all about being an aristocrat. His appearance is one of aloofness and dignity. They are beautiful with a long silky topcoat and the tail has a signature ring curl at the end.Temperament. His general temperament is dignified but happy and even clownish. He is a bit independent and sometimes has a personalty somewhat like a cat. Afghans need to be socialized and can be wary of strangers. They either like someone or they do not.Approximate Adult Size. Males can weigh in at 60 pounds and stand 27 inches at the withers (highest point of the shoulders) and females can weigh 50 pounds and stand 25 inches high at the withers.Ideal Environment. The ideal environment for this dog is a properly fenced, spacious yard or acreage. He loves to run. He does prefer to spend time with his master and would like to sleep indoors. The enclosed area should be kept trimmed and be free of shrubs and weeds that like to hitch a ride on fur. This hound is prone to getting his hair tangled.Special Health Considerations. The Afghan Hound is a healthy breed. Cancer and allergies are his main problem. They have low body fat levels and may be sensitive to anesthesia. Additional genetic problems may be dysplasia, juvenile cataracts, enzyme deficiencies and hypothyroidism.Grooming. The Hound should not be clipped or trimmed much, especially for showing. His coat is long and fine so he needs plenty of attention. Did I say plenty of attention? I roomed with an Afghan and his owner and the Afghan always liked me. I remember when my room mate spent several hours washing and grooming his pet, getting every single burr out because he wanted his dog to look great and make a good impression on an important date he had that evening. Well, somehow the afghan managed to get out and do his run and when he got back, his coat was so trashed, I though that my roommate was going to cry. It takes plenty of work to keep them looking like they do in the breed photos. They shed in the spring and fall.Life Span. The life span is fairly long, being approximately 14 years.History. The Afghan Hound comes from Afghanistan where it was bred to hunt gazelles, foxes and wolves. DNA testing reveals that this dog is from one of the most ancient dog breeds. The original name of this dog is a Tazi. There is a similar breed in Russia called Tasy and they are related.Special Good Points. The aristocrat of dogs. Beautiful to watch and have. Relatively Healthy. Patient, calm, and has common dog sense.Special Bad Points. Can Tend to be shy. Can tend to be aloof. Low pain tolerance, a bit of a baby. Can be hard to train, may ignore commands. They are fast and can steal food and objects. Difficult to keep off of the couch. They think that they own the furniture. Can be difficult to housetrain.The Afghan Hound Breed. Origins, Information and History of this Extravagant BreedOrigin: The Afghan Hound is a very ancient breed. This dog has been mentioned several times in the Egyptian papyruses as well as pictured in caves of Northern Afghanistan more than 4,000 years ago. This beautiful sighthound was used as a shepherd and hunter for many centuries, hunting such game as deer, wild boars, goats, and even wolves. They were also used by shepherds as watchdogs and herders due to their fast and agile running.History: The Afghan was discovered in the west in the regions of Afghanistan during the 19th century. These dogs were later sent to England in the later part of the century. Some say that Afghan Hounds served as guard dogs and herd dogs, which are within the capabilities of the breed as we know it. The major role of these dogs, however, was undoubtedly that of hunting. The Afghanistan kings would breed a kennel of these hounds for many generations for these purposes alone.The real start of the breed in the US started with the first Ghazni imports in 1931, when Zeppo Marx and his wife brought from England a bitch, Asra of Ghazni, and a dog, Westmill Omar. Asra and Omar were later acquired by Q. A. Shaw McKeans Prides Hill kennels in Massachusetts. Mr. McKean soon added a young English champion, Badshah of Ainsdart. These three - Asra, Omar and Badshah - formed the cornerstone of the breed in America.Summary: This dog has become a luxurious pet in America and Europe due its aristocratic look. The Afghan Hound is prized and loved by many of their owners and family members. With its distinctive personality and long coat that requires regular care and maintenance, it's not the breed for wanna-be dog owners, but when the match between owner and this hound is right, there is no other dog that can equal the Afghan hound as a great and welcome addition to any family.Aristocratic, but very sweet, loyal, affectionate and emotional, with a low dominance level. The Afghan Hound has been described as "a king of dogs." Majestic, elegant, noble and courageous, suspicious of, but not hostile to, strangers. Although resilient, they will pine if they are deprived of attention. They will do best with more mature, considerate children. At one time, the breed had a reputation for being untrustworthy, but has now been replaced by a character that, while still energetic, is said to be more agreeable to training and discipline, as they can be disobedient if allowed to be so. This breed can be problematic to housebreak.Afghan Hound - Centuries of PerfectionThe Afghan Hound dates back more then 4,000 years. It has always been coveted, though only in the more recent years for its graceful appearance. Today, the Afghan Hound is recognized by most canine associations and is a popular pet around the world.A native of the Sinai region, the breed was carefully guarded over many centuries and no one was allowed to take any Afghan Hound out of the area. With transportation so carefully guarded, it was only the tales of travellers who alerted the rest of the world to the beauty and grace of this dog until a century or so ago. It's quickly become a popular breed for the show ring. Watching those show dogs, the most notable traits are the long, silky hair and the agile body, but there's a history of courage behind this breed.The Afghan Hound was originally used in two major capacities - hunting and herding. The dog's alert nature and protectiveness made it ideal as a guard dog for herds of domesticated animals. This hound also has an incredible nose and has been used to hunt some very large, fierce animals. Not only have they helped hunt deer, wild goats and similar herd animals, they've also been used for hunting snow leopards and wolves.The slender neck supports a slim head, giving the Afghan Hound a very regal bearing that makes it stand out from some other hounds. The coat tends to be very thick. Their ancestors needed those heavy coats as protection against the elements and the breed of today can typically withstand cool temperatures without problem. Afghans may be any color, though sand, red and black seem to be the more common. For show purposes, only white is not acceptable and even white marking will count off in the show ring.These dogs are true "people dogs." They love to be with their owners and will grieve greatly if left alone for long periods of time. Not only that, but some of these dogs also tend to act sad if their favorite person or people are no longer around.Ages ago, the Afghan had a reputation for being somewhat sneaky or unreliable. Selective breeding seems to have all but eliminated that trait, though this breed still seems to thrive in a sound, stable atmosphere.The Afghan Hound typically weighs in at somewhere around 50 to 60 pounds. They also tend to live slightly longer than most larger dogs with averages estimated around 12 to 14 years. As a rule, these dogs are very sensitive to pain. They may not readily recover from even minor injuries without proper care, especially if those injuries limit activity.The Afghan Hound loves the outdoors, though they're gentle enough to adapt to living indoors, provided they get ample exercise. They remain easily trained for hunting and herding, though most people who seek these dogs are doing so because of the aristocratic bearing and elegance - traits that make them show dogs and pets, not working dogs.Afghan Hound - Dog Breed ProfileKey Facts:Size: Medium - largeHeight: 63 - 74 cm (25 - 29 inches)Weight: 23 - 33 kg (51 - 66 lb)Life Span: 14 yearsGrooming: Frequent & thoroughExercise: EssentialFeeding: MediumTemperament: Gentle yet wary of strangersCountry of Origin: Afghanistan/EnglandAKC Group: HoundOther Names: Tazi, Baluchi HoundTemperament:The Afghan Hound appears dignified and aloof but can also be fun loving. Afghan Hounds are gentle dogs that are affectionate towards the family but wary of strangers. Training can be difficult despite their high level of intelligence. Afghan Hounds are not always compliant and tend to ignore human instructions if they see no good reason for an order. Afghan Hounds naturally pursue anything that runs and are almost impossible to recall once they're on the chase. They will kill most things they catch and therefore should not be kept with other household pets such as cats.Grooming:Afghan Hounds require regular and thorough grooming at least once a week with a good pin brush. This is best done by lifting the hair up so each stroke begins from the root of the hair and continues downward. Afghan Hounds do not shed hair like most other breeds.Exercise:Afghan Hounds are athletic and require a lot of exercise to cope with their restless energy. Because of their hunting and chasing instincts, they need to be kept on a lead.Feeding:Afghan Hounds are not greedy eaters and may even be somewhat picky if allowed to have their own way.History:The sighthound family dates back to between 4000 BC and 3000 BC, with their name derived from Afghanistan. It has been suggested that the longer coated Tibetan Terrier (from adjacent Tibet) played a part in making the Afghan Hound, the longest coated member of the sighthound family. The Afghan people put their dogs to many uses from guarding to hunting and also using their hair for weaving.Physical Characteristics:General Appearance: Very tall, impressive and elegant.Color: All colors. The most common are red through to shades of beige, often with a darker mask.Coat: Long silky hair, with short hair around the face and back saddle.Tail: Not too short and ends in a ring.Ears: Long, set low and well back. They are covered with long silky hair.Body: Deep chest, prominent hip bones and muscular back of moderate length.Additional Comments:Elegance is the hallmark of this breed - a long chiselled head carried high on a long neck is an essential characteristic. In proportion to it's size, the Afghan Hound's body is relatively light.

Affenpinscher

Other Names: Monkey DogCountry of Origin: GermanyLifespan: 14-15 YearsMale Height: 9-11.5 InchesInches Male Weight: 7-9 PoundsFemale Height: 9-11.5 InchesFemale Weight: 7-9 PoundsAmerican Kennel Club Classification : Toy GroupCanadian Kennel Club Classification : ToysKennel Club (Great Britain) Classification : ToyAffenpinscher CharacteristicsThe Affenpinscher is one little dog that takes himself quite seriously, and demands respect. The French referred to the Affenpinscher as "mustachioed little devils". The Affenpinscher originated in the 1600's and may be an ancestor of the Brussels Griffon and the Miniature Schnauzer.Affenpinscher Dog BreedThe Affenpinscher dog is a relatively small dog weighing 7-9 pounds. They reach a height between 9 to 11.5 inches, with a shaggy gray, black, silver, or black and tan coat. While their hair is not the cuddliest, you will find they are a very active dog breed. This type of dog is low maintenance when it comes to grooming, as they don't tend to shed their hair.The Affenpinscher breed originated in Germany in the 16th century. They are considered one of the most amiable companions for humans. They tend to have a strong playful spirit, while being great at hunting rats and mice. You can consider their character to be balanced and sturdy. In other words they will have pretty much the same behavioral characteristics throughout their lives and be a pleasure. They are also very agile, inquisitive, and quick- witted.You will find that this dog breed is great for a family. They tend to play well with younger children as well as be aware of the delicate nature of the child. They will want to play, amuse, and be affectionate with the entire family. This will lead us into the care of the Affenpinscher. While they require minimal grooming you will find they do need a lot of attention. They tend to have a lot of energy so taking the dog out for long walks, playing with them often, and not leaving them along too much is going to be the best care you can give them. When you are grooming your Affenpinscher you will need to pay close attention to the eyes. They tend to have little hairs that will grow near the eyes causing irritation or even infections if left for too long.This dog breed is one of the hardest to house train despite the wonderful pet they do make. They are extremely active and therefore they don't want to pay attention to training and lessons. When training the dog you need to use the crate method. In other words they need to understand what the crate means, and that until they are house trained to go outside or let the owner know when they need to go they will be in the crate while you are away. You need to be extremely authoritarian with the Affenpinscher with firmness and consistency. While they are quick to learn they often don't like to sit still for the lessons as they become bored. If you are trying to train the dog to do tricks it must be something that stimulates them.You will also find that this particular breed of dog is a fairly good watchdog. While they are certainly not the best they do tend to let you know when a person is arriving and will stand guard. With their heightened sense of play you will find that this dog also loves to climb and bark. You will need to train them when it is appropriate to bark and when it is not. You will also have to make sure your backyard is large enough and set up with a high fence to keep them contained. When you are considering further dog care keep in mind that they are extremely active. They need to have a place they can run and expend energy. This means during the day while you are at work and your children are in school you probably need to leave the dog outside in the yard. Make sure that they will not be able to dig themselves out or climb over the fence. It is really best to have a dog runner set up so they are chained, but have the freedom to explore the yard and stay in the shade.Grooming the AffenpinscherThe Affenpinscher belongs to the terrier family and is considered a toy breed. It used to be raised to be a hunter of vermin, but in the 1800 to 1900s, it was bred to its now much smaller size and was became a companion dog instead.The Affenpinscher has also acquired the nickname "monkey dog" and is sometimes called the Monkey Pinscher. In fact, Affenpinscher means "Monkey Terrier" in the German language. This nickname is due to the dog's monkey-like facial expressions. What gives this breed its monkey-like appearance is the hair that grows longer around the head, eyebrows, and jaw. An Affenpinscher's coat also grows about an inch long in the neck area, chest, and legs while its tail and posterior may have shorter hair. Their coat is rough, wiry, and thick. The coat can be colored red, tan, or dark grey, but black is the most preferred color by Affenpinscher owners and breeders.An Affenpinscher with an initially well-groomed coat does not require that much further grooming attention. Although it may have a thick wiry coat, an Affenpinscher sheds much less hair than other hairy dogs. Another great thing about grooming an Affenpinscher is that the shaggy, unkempt appearance is the look that you should be going for. Not that hard to do considering Affenpinschers naturally look scruffy and untidy. This breed does not need to be made to look overly neat. Also, an Affenpinscher that is groomed with its monkey-like features enhanced is prized among this breed.Proper care of an Affenpinscher's coat and appearance begins with its environment. Extreme temperatures, especially places with very warm weather, can ruin their thick coats. Train an Affenpinscher to be used to grooming while it is still a puppy so that it thinks of grooming time as something akin to playtime. Establish yourself as the alpha leader so that the dog will be submissive to you. Thus making the grooming session much easier for the both of you.Grooming an Affenpinscher may not take much, but weekly maintenance of the coat is a must. Its thick wiry coat is prone to matting, tangling, and knotting. Brush its coat regularly to get rid of accumulated debris and hair that has been shed. Use a fine-toothed comb for the hair around its face and you can use a medium-toothed comb or brush for the rest of the body. Clipping an Affenpinscher's coat is not recommended as it can ruin its much valued shaggy appearance and may take years to grow back. Avoid clipping as much as possible, but you may pluck out the dead hairs.Free the eye and ear area of overgrown hairs that may irritate the Affenpinscher. Trim excess hair with straight or thinning scissors. Also include regular teeth brushing and nail clipping in the grooming schedule. Use mild dog shampoos when bathing an Affenpinscher. Don't bathe it to often as their skin and coat may become dry and irritated.A well-groomed Affenpinscher is one that looks like its natural shaggy self. Preserve and maintain this look so that you and your Affenpinscher can reap the benefits of proper grooming.The Affenpinscher Breed StandardThe general appearance of the Affenpinscher is a balanced, wiry-haired terrier-like toy dog. The Affenpinscher is sturdy and compact with medium bone structure. The preferred height at the withers is 9 ½" to 11 1/2". He has a square-like appearance.The head is in proportion to the body, carried confidently with a monkey-like facial expression. The Affenpinscher has eyes that are round, dark, brilliant and of medium size in proportion to the head. The eyes are not bulging or protruding. Eye rims are black. The ears are cropped to a point, set high and standing erect, or natural, standing erect, semi-erect or dropped. All these types of ears are acceptable in the breed standard as long as the monkey-like expression is maintained. The skull is round and domed, not coarse. The stop is well-defined. The Muzzle is short and narrows slightly to a blunt nose. The nose is black, neither turned up nor down. The lips are black with a prominent lower lip. The bite is slightly undershot. Level bites are only acceptable if the monkey-like expression is maintained. An overshot bite is severely penalized.The Affenpinscher's neck is short and straight. The top line is straight and level. The chest is moderately broad and deep. The back is short and level with a strong loin. The tail may be docked or natural. A docked tail is between 1" and 2" long set high an carried erect. The natural tail is set high and carried gently curved up over the back while moving.The Affenpinscher's shoulders are moderately laid back. The length of the shoulder blade and the upper arm are about equal. Elbows are close to the body. Front legs of the Affenpinscher are straight when viewed from any direction. Dewclaws are generally removed. The feet of the Affenpinscher are small, round, compact and with black pads and nails.The coat of the Affenpinscher is dense, rough, harsh and about 1" in length on the shoulders and body. The hair may be shorter on the rear and tail. The mature Affenpinscher has a mane or cape of strong hair which blends into the back coat at the withers area. To emphasize the monkey-like expression of the Affenpinscher the longer hair on the head, eyebrows and beard stands off and frames the face. The Affenpinscher's coat needs little grooming to maintain a neat and shaggy appearance.The Affenpinscher is seen in colors of black, gray, silver, red, black and tan or beige. The blacks may have a rusty cast or a few white or silver hairs mixed with the black. The reds vary from brownish red to an orange tan. Beige has black, brown and/or white hairs mixed with red. Some Affenpinschers may have black masks or a small white spot on the chest. Large white patches are undesirable.The gait of the Affenpinscher should be light, free, sound, balanced and confident. The Affenpinscher's signature walk is that of comic seriousness.The personality of the Affenpinscher should be alert, inquisitive, loyal and affectionate toward owner and friends. The Affenpinscher is generally quiet, but can become extremely excited when threatened or attacked and is not afraid toward any aggressor.The Affenpinscher's Early Days In His New HomeThe Affenpinscher develops a very strong attachment to his owner or owners. How the Affenpinscher puppy develops depends a great deal upon the care he receives as a young puppy. One of the first things you should do for your new Affenpinscher puppy is make him feel secure and comfortable with his new family.Your breeder probably provided you with a health record showing all immunization vaccinations given to the Affenpinscher puppy prior to the sale. Some states such as California, Florida and Texas require breeders to provide a veterinarian proof of health on sale of a dog.As soon as possible after bringing your new Affenpinscher puppy home you should take him to be examined by a veterinarian and finish the series of shots began by the breeder. These shots usually consist of vaccines for infectious hepatitis, distemper, leptospirosis, paraintiuenza and parvovirus. The frequency and combination of vaccines differs from vet to vet. If the Affenpinscher is to be entered into shows the vet may want to give him immunization against bordatella (kennel cough) and corona. Follow the advice of your own personal veterinarian.Take a stool sample with you for the first visit. If you live in a climate where heartworm is a concern ask your vet about heartworm preventative. Most often the monthly heartworm preventative will also prevent other parasite infestations.Once you have established care with a trusted veterinarian and your Affenpinscher puppy seems content in his new home work on a regular schedule of diet, housebreaking and other rules of your own particular household. Allow the Affenpinscher puppy to settle in properly. Do not make any sudden changes in his diet. If you do not want to feed what the breeder fed your Affenpinscher puppy make changes gradually. Sudden changes in diet sometimes results in diarrhea or the Affenpinscher puppy may refuse to eat the new food.If you choose to show your Affenpinscher with cropped ears you should have the cropping performed by a qualified veterinarian or an individual recommended by your breeder. The ears are usually cropped when the Affenpinscher is anywhere from eight weeks to four or five months.Crate training is recommended for Affenpinscher puppies. You will need to purchase a small airline kennel or a small housebreaking crate. Provide your Affenpinscher puppy with soft clean bedding in the crate and fresh drinking water preferably from a water bottle. Training you Affenpinscher puppy should start early. Do not feel that crating your Affenpinscher puppy is cruel. Dogs by nature are den animals and many find refuge in their crates, a special place of their own to rest and sleep. An Affenpinscher puppy that has been crated will travel easier and more happily.Affenpinscher - Dog Breed ProfileKey FactsSize: SmallHeight: 24 - 28cm (9.5 - 11 inches)Weight: 3 - 4kg (6.5 - 9 lb)Life Span: 15 yearsGrooming: EasyExercise: ModerateFeeding: UndemandingTemperament: Self-confident & livelyCountry of Origin: GermanyAKC Group: ToyOther Names: Monkey DogTemperamentThe Affenpinscher is intelligent, playful, curious, alert and mischievous. Affenpinschers are affectionate companions and family pets. They can be quite fearless towards aggressors and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence makes them easy to train, once they learn who is boss, however if Affenpinschers are spoilt, then their owners may find their home run by a little canine dictator. They get on well with children and other household pets, however most Affenpinschers will refuse unknown visitors entry into the home.GroomingRelatively easy, with brushing required once or twice per week to remove dead hair and keep it free of knots. No trimming required and Affenpinscher's have minimal moulting.ExerciseModerate exercise is required, but Affenpinschers can tolerate reasonably long distances.HistoryAffenpinschers originated in Germany several centuries ago and pictures of them can be seen depicted in the paintings of the early Dutch masters. The evolution of this breed may have come about with the crossbreeding of Miniature Pinschers to the local wire coated terriers. It has been broadly accepted that the Affenpinscher is the progenitor of both smooth and rough coated varieties of the toy Griffin.Physical CharacteristicsGeneral Appearance: Small and stocky with a trotting gait.Colour: Black (or black with lighter shadings)Coat: Wirehaired and rough and harsh in texture. Shaggy around the face with a wreath-like circle of hair framing the face giving a monkey-like appearance.Tail: Usually docked short and carried high.Ears: Either upright or dropped.Body: Square with a deep, barrel shaped chest. Short, straight back.