Afollie

Because it is a cross breed dog, the Afollie does not seem to have a precise documented starting point to its history. It may have been purposely cross-bred to produce an animal with the desirable qualities of both collies and hounds, or it may have been a fortuitous encounter between members of those two breeds.

Breed Characteristics

Afollie Build Information

These dogs are sometimes nicknamed Follies, discarding the first syllable, and are sometimes referred to affectionately as mutts, a playful reference to their hybrid nature, or lurchers in reference to their value as sighting dogs. Their build is large, regularly reaching heights of 26-29 inches, and a weight in the neighborhood of 50-70 pounds. To maintain proper weight and health, an Afollie will generally require about three cups of dry dog food daily, with an occasional treat permissible.

Behaviour and Personality

The Afollie dog breed is a cross between an Afghan hound and a collie that may exhibit any mix of the characteristics of one or the other breed. The personality of Afollies has at various times been characterized as cheerful and gentle, independent and somewhat stubborn, and very intelligent. They also make good watchdogs, because they will bark loudly to alert owners when intruders are present.

Appearance

Grooming for Afollies is necessary to maintain their rough and woolly coat, because Afollies typically shed moderately, and it will be best to avoid having hair clumps left around the home by grooming regularly. This will also leave the coat softer and cleaner than it would be without combing. They should also be walked regularly to get sufficient exercise and maintain fitness. Training an Afollie may be a bit challenging, and for that reason this breed is not recommended for first-time dog owners, but with a persistent approach an Afollie owner can indeed train the dog to be a responsive pet.

Afollie Common Health Conditions

Afollies are not known for any particular health concerns, but some preventive medical treatment is always a good idea. For instance, they should have flea and tick protection applied regularly to avoid infestations of annoying pests, they should be vaccinated as recommended by a veterinarian, and they should be immunized against heartworm. Since heartworm is extremely difficult to cure, the best approach by far is to prevent the onset of the disease caused by mosquito bites, and have the pet protected against worms attacking its heart.

Afollie Pet Insurance

When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.

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Breed Talents and Facts

A few fast facts about this flappy-eared dog include its suitability for herding, guarding, and lure coursing. It has been used in pastoral settings as a shepherd dog, and is extremely agile, which makes it capable of tracking down running strays. It has also been commonly used as a sighting dog, in search and rescue operations, and even in competitive racing, so its physical attributes are some of its strongest characteristics.