11 Afghan Hound Fun Facts

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Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but there aren't many breeds as elegant as the Afghan Hound. These dogs are ancient, and they will undoubtedly turn some heads wherever they go. We decided to compile a few of our favorite Afghan Hound fun facts, and some are pretty amazing. Check them out!

1. Hunters

These elegant canines may look like they were bred for a life of luxury, but their original purpose was to assist Afghani hunters in the deserts and mountains. The dogs kept animals (such as leopards) at bay until their owners could catch up to them during the chase. Because these intelligent canines can hunt and think on their own, they require relatively little guidance in the field.

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2. Fast as a racehorse

Afghan Hounds can achieve speeds of 40 mph. That's comparable to the speed of a thoroughbred racehorse. The world's fastest horse can only attain a top speed of just below 44 mph. The Afghan Hound is one of the world's quickest hound breeds, and it's also one of the most beautiful.

3. Many names

This isn't the only breed that goes by multiple names. However, it is a breed with many different names. Shalgar Hound, Tazi Spay, Galanday Hound, Tazi, Baluchi Hound, Barakzai Hound, Kabul Hound, Balkh Hound, or the African Hound are some of the various names given to these dogs.

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4. Coat of many purposes

The Afghan's most significant characteristic is its long, elegant, flowing coat. While the dog's silky mane may look majestic, the fur serves a more crucial purpose: It helps keep the dog warm in the cold Afghan winter. Because these dogs were used for hunting in the mountains of Afghanistan, their coats had to be able to withstand the tough conditions.

5. Unique hips

The Afghan Hound's coat, royal mane, and peculiar hips make it a distinct breed in the canine world. Because of their distinctive hip anatomy, which is set wider apart and higher than in other breeds, this breed is extremely agile and quick, even on the treacherous terrain.

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6. British spoils of war

Many dog breeds were brought back to the United Kingdom when their officers returned home from their 19th-century conquests. At that time, the UK invaded India and used them for their resources, and Afghanistan was a part of India. As British officers passed the Afghani region, they encountered these beautiful dogs. Naturally, they took some specimens with them back to the UK. Afghan Hounds were one of the first breeds Brits imported from their former colonies.

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7. Show dogs

Afghans were once renowned for their hunting prowess, but these days, they're more interested in hunting dog show titles. These canines are some of the best in the world when it comes to competing in dog shows. Dog owners and breeders who compete in dog shows found them attractive because of their fashionable appearance. In fact, Afghan Hounds have won Crufts' Best in Show title award twice. In 1983, Pauline Gibbs' Montravia Kaskarak Hitari won. Chris and Julie Amoo's Viscount Grant won the title four years later.

8. Picasso had one

Picasso was a famous dog lover. The artist owned a wide variety of dog breeds during his lifetime. He had a Dachshund called Lump, and he also had an Afghan Hound named Kabul. Alongside his wife Jacqueline, his dog Kabul appeared in several of his works of art. His famous statue Tête is based on his wife, but it also includes his Afghan Hound's long nose.

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9. The first cloned dog

There are various scientific advancements in the world, but did you know that a team of Korean scientists managed to successfully clone a dog in 2005? What's more interesting, the cloned dog was an Afghan Hound. The dog was named Snuppy, and he went down in history as the first cloned dog.

10. Pop culture

Hollywood's love of animals of all species is pretty well documented on the silver screen. It has a particular love for dogs. The Afghan Hound's unusual appearance has earned it a special place among filmmakers. This breed appeared in movies such as Balto from Universal Pictures, Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure from Disney, and 101 Dalmatians and 102 Dalmatians. These dogs seem to be naturally-gifted actors, which is why they are many directors' favorite breed.

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11. Difficult to train

The Afghan Hound might be elegant, fast, and charming, but they are also notoriously difficult to train. Mind you, this is a trait all Hounds share, but these dogs are on another level. They are incredibly stubborn and certainly don't live their life to make their owners feel satisfied. They have a mind of their own, and they will not perform a task if they believe there is a simpler way of doing things. They prefer working WITH people instead of FOR them.

World Dog Finder team