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Afghan Hound |
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The history of the Afghan Hound is ancient, though the legend which claims the Afghan as the dog Noah took into the Ark may be a bit exaggerated. Migration of northern African sight-hounds into the mountains of Afghanistan included some hounds with longer hair. In the cold mountain air, the heaviest coats were selected and bred from necessity, eventually creating the Afghan. The breed spread into the border areas and even into India and aided both the hunter and the shepherd. The Afghan Hounds
unique, upright tail with the curled end served as a marker in the heavier
underbrush, and his high-set hip bones enabled him greater flexibility
in the mountain ranges. The aristocratic, elegant Afghan Hound was no
pussycat, hunting big even tough game: wolves, foxes and gazelles. In
tirnes past, he was a favorite of the Afghani nobility as an adjunct to
the sport of falconry.
The Afghan Hounds
old native name is Tazi, and his obvious resemblance to the like-named
Tasy of Russia (even to the ring in the tail) indicates similar histories.
The proximity of southern Russia and Afghanistan geographically increases
the likelihood of close ancestry.
Originally,
sale of the Afghan Hound to outsiders was prohibited, and the first specimens
to arrive in the United States and England did not appear until the turn
of the 20th century. An English Captain Banff imported the exciting hound,
"Zardin," from Afghanistan around this time. Exhibited at the
Crystal Palace Show in 1907, he won spectacularly and started a true interest
in the breed. Good breeding programs existed in Britain by the 1920s.
AKC and CKC recognition followed in the 30s.
The Afghan Hounds
coat bears singular requirements: the topknot and the distinct shorthaired
saddle on the back which forms as an adult. It is permissible for the
dog to display a shorthaired cuff on the feet. Frequent, fastidious combing
is a necessity. An ungroomed Afghan is not only unkempt but uncomfortable.
As well as being
a highly celebrated show dog today, the Afghan participates in lure coursing.
Despite their high numbers as show competitors, they have not achieved
the same status as a pet, due to their size, coat care and exercise demands.
Their temperament is aloof, though they can be the greatest of clowns
at play time. From their origin on Mount Sinai to today's show ring, the
Afghans are majesty at its peak. "At a glance, one can see the Eastern
inscrutability; the conviction that they are royalty; the certainty that
they are above lesser breeds."
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