Laravel

Afghan Hounds are a popular show dog breed that are well-recognized for their long, narrow snouts, thick and silky coats, elegant and dignified appearances, and curled tails. Despite looking like a pampered aristocrat, these dogs are actually quite sturdy and athletic.

They originated in remote mountainous locales across the vast area that is now Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan and are considered an ancient dog breed. Although we don’t know exactly when the breed began, we do know that the Afghan Hound predates written history, and can be traced to at least a few thousand years before it. They could potentially be the oldest of the purebred dog breeds.

These dogs were bred to fast sighthounds to assist in hunts in Asia’s mountain regions. Their long, thick, silky coats were developed specifically to help keep these dogs warm and protected in harsh mountain climates without weighing or slowing them down. They also have huge paw pads that helped them gain traction and absorb shock as they ran along rough terrain.

Not only were they valued hunting companions, but Afghan Hounds were also noble companions among aristocrats, tribal chieftains, and royals in these areas; so much so, that they became status symbols for royalty and nobility. Although these dogs were well-known in the East, they remained relatively unknown in the West until the late 1800s.

Officers of the British Empire at the time are credited with bringing the dog back with them and introducing the breed to Europe where they quickly gained popularity. Afghan Hounds became the preferred dog breed among the British gentry by the early 1900s. The AKC recognized the Afghan Hound in 1926 as a member of the Hound Group. It wouldn’t be until the early 1930s that the Afghan Hound would start to catch on and gain popularity in the United States.