Afghan Spaniel

A cross between the Afghan Hound and the Cocker Spaniel, this breed is known for its agility, herding, hunting, sledding, tracking and racing skills. Thanks to its agile nature and ability to sniff out any prey, this dog was primarily used by farmers and sheepherders to track down prey and herd sheep. It's also a great retriever and loves to race. This breed originates in Afghanistan, then known as Tazi. The lineage can even be traced back to ancient times in the pre-Christian era.

Breed Characteristics

Afghan Spaniel Build Information

This dog weighs between 20 and 50 pounds, with the male generally weighing more than the female. It has flappy ears and its coat can range in color from black and brown to light brown and golden. It can even be white or cream. Featuring medium length body hair and short head hair, silken hair is indicative of the ears, chest and stomach.

Behaviour and Personality

With a playful personality and a love for playing around, the Afghan Spaniel is friendly yet reserved in certain situations. The hound part of the breed is very independent and doesn't need to be lavished with attention, yet the cocker part of the breed is very loveable and wants to be hugged and praised. To get out all their extra energy, the Afghan Spaniel craves long walks and outings at the park. For playing in the yard, a large enclosed space is recommended. They are high spirited and need gentle, never rough, training. House training isn't easy with this breed and takes dedication on the part of the owner.

Appearance

Daily brushing of the coat is required to avoid tangling. Regular trims must be done as well, at least once a month. This dog grows hair excessively between the pads of its feet, chest and ears, which should be removed as well. Regular tooth brushing and ear wax cleaning are also recommended.

Afghan Spaniel Common Health Conditions

Like other sighthounds, this breed can experience hip dysplasia, allergies and sensitivity to anesthesia. It's known to have a low pain tolerance, so a minor wound tends to be more bothersome to them than to others.

Afghan Spaniel 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

The average lifespan of this breed is between 12 and 15 years. They fare well in just about any climate. They make a great watchdog, and they are fairly easy to train. They display a high level of obedience during training sessions and are eager to learn.