The Dignified Family Dog - The Afghan Hound

Afghan Hounds were bred in Afghanistan to hunt large prey. The long fur kept it warm in mountainous areas. The breed is very fleet and an independent, intelligent hunter that would hold leopards at bay till horse mounted hunters could catch up to the prey. This means they have great endurance and speed (they outrun most horses). Additionally, they think for themselves and are very independent. Because of it's hunting instincts, as a pet, they will still chase small animals and are used for coursing trials and games. Afghan Hounds should be kept in a large fenced yard and on a leash, once they escape they can be very difficult to capture. They are also bright enough to find ways out of fenced yards and are quite good at being an escape artist.

Afghan Hounds are between 24 and 29 inches tall and weigh 44 to 60 pounds. This is a healthy breed, typically living for 12 to 14 years. Afghan Hounds are affectionate and loyal to family members. They can have a tendency to be a one-person dog and are frequently aloof to strangers. They are also affectionate on their terms, not yours! When the Afghan Hounds wants attention, they will let you know, otherwise just leave it alone. They do tolerate children; however, this is a large dog and can easily knock small children down. Also, do not expect it to run and play with children. Despite this size, they are content to lay around when indoors and do adapt to apartment living. That said, the Afghan Hound does require regular, daily exercise regardless of living arrangements. This is a high-energy dog.

The long flowing, fine texture coat is a hallmark of the breed. Afghan Hounds do shed and keeping the coat is excellent condition is not for the faint of heart! The coat tangles and mats easily, requiring daily brushing to keep it tangle free and blowing. Additionally, frequent baths are required to keep the coat clean and shiny. Owners either invest time to learn to deal with the coat or invest in a good groomer. Either way, plan on spending time and money to keep the Afghan Hound looking great. As with all dogs with ears that are not erect, they are prone to ear mites and ear infections. Carefully checking the ears on a regular basis is recommended.

Training your Afghan Hound can be a challenge! They are very independent and do not particularly care if they please you or not. They are not motivated by food and snacks, either so this can make training a challenge. Therefore, it is not a good breed for a first-time dog owner. Due to the personality, sensitivity, and intelligence of the breed, consistent, patient, and positive training methods are required. Even when this approach is done with the Afghan Hound, it may still only train on its schedule, not yours. The good news is that Afghans rarely bark, so apartment dwellers and neighbors are happy. This means that the breed is not a good watchdog. Despite these features, the dog can be affection and fun and like to play games, so there is an upside as a companion. Owners just need to go into the relationship, realizing what the dog will and will not do.

Afghan Hounds are beautiful and dignified, but can be aloof as a companion dog. Grooming of this breed is a major consideration and investment of time and money. This is an independent breed, that can try your patience, entertain you and be your best friend or not, all within a 30 minutes' span of time. Afghan Hound aficionados love their dogs, but the reverse may not be true.

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Dog Training For Beginners - What Breeds Are Known To Be Difficult To Train?

If you are taking the time to read this, you're probably a "dog person." There are four categories of dog people. First is the life-long dog person, with years of experience. They almost certainly had a dog when they were a child, and got the needed experience in being responsible for their care and training. Then there is the "I like dogs, but don't want one," person. Followed closely by the "We had a dog when I was a kid... but, I only played with it." And, lastly, the "I never had a dog, but want one now," person.

All dogs aren't created equal, especially in the training department. True, there are exceptions to every rule. None-the-less, fact is some breeds are known to be easier to train than others.

Generally, training issues are not from a lack of intelligence. Most often, the problems arise from the lack of the training experiences of the owner! What happens with several breeds are their instincts overpower their need to please their human. Often they are stubborn, strong headed and get bored easily. Some even resent being told what to do! They have been bred to rely on their instincts, such as high prey drive, independence and their senses, especially their sense of smell! It's almost guaranteed, as soon as their nose hits the ground, they don't hear a thing you are saying!

Basset Hound Harder to Train

Beagle Harder to Train

Chow-Chow Harder to Train

Bloodhound Harder to Train

Shar Peis HArder to Train

Afghan Hound Harder to Train

Shiba Inus Harder to Train

Pekingese Harder to Train

A lot of dog trainers will agree, breeds that have a reputation to be harder to train than others often include: Basset Hounds, Beagles, Blood Hounds, Chow-Chow, Shiba Inus, Shar Peis, Afghan Hounds, several terrier breeds, and the adorable little lap dog, fur balls, the Pekingese. As beautiful or cute as they may be, these dogs are not for novices, nor are they for people who are not willing to make a genuine commitment of time and energy to train.

Golden Retriever Easier to Train

Labrador Retriever Easier to Train

Poodle Easier to Train

Australian Shepherd Easier to Train

Border Collie Easier to Train

Australian Cattle Dog Easier to Train

For first-time dog owners, biddable breeds are the ones to check into. They come in all shapes and sizes. They are inherently less independent. They have been bred to connect with their human companion and to work as a team. If it's a larger dog you are looking for, there are plenty in the Sport and Herding groups that are bred to happily interact with their human companion. They include any of the Retrievers and Poodles. The dogs in the Herding group, such as Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Australian Cattle Dogs are easy to train because they too were bred to interact with their owner. Looking for a small dog that wants to please, and is recognized to be easy to train, do some homework. Check into the Pomeranian, Papillion, or Cairne Terrier.

Pomeranian Easier to Train

Cairne Terrier Easier to Train

Papillion Easier to Train

Bottom line: If you are a new or inexperienced dog owner, don't start with a hard to train breed. You will be doing an enormous disservice to yourself and the dog. Lack of training is a common cause why dogs are surrendered to rescues and shelters. Do your homework. Find a biddable breed that fits your family and lifestyle. Enroll in a recommended positive reinforcement, punishment-free Puppy Kindergarten or obedience class as soon as you can. You'll be glad you did!

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How Fast Is The Fastest Dog?

The fastest dogs are the Sighthounds: Greyhounds, Salukis, Whippets and their kin. Many of these dogs are ancient breeds. These Sighthounds or gazehounds were developed for hunting different animals over different terrain.

Greyhound

Most people consider the Greyhound to be the world's fastest dog. These dogs have been not only used for hunting but they are also used for dog racing. They are able to reach speeds of 45 mph over short distances. The breed dates back to at least 2900 BC in ancient Egypt where they were used on all kinds of prey, from deer to mountain goats. Their natural prey is the hare.

Saluki

However, Saluki owners often claim that their dogs are faster than Greyhounds. As proof, they claim that Salukis were bred to hunt gazelles and gazelles can reach speeds faster than 45 mph. Therefore, they say, Salukis must be faster than Greyhounds since that is faster than a Greyhound's speed.

Salukis are not used for racing so they aren't timed at short distances. This makes it harder to estimate their speed. Salukis may excel at speeds over endurance distances.

Whippet

Whippets are another very fast dog. They have been used for dog racing, too. Smaller than Greyhounds, they are estimated to travel at speeds over 35 mph.

The cheetah is generally accepted to be the fastest land animal. They travel at an estimated 70 mph. Lions have been clocked at 50 mph. A Quarter Horse can travel at 47.5 mph.

Afghan Hound

Other members of the Sighthound family of dogs include the Afghan Hound - a relative of the Saluki from the cold mountains of Afghanistan. These dogs are thousands of years old and were used to hunt gazelles and hares. Even today these dogs still have a very high prey drive and it may not be safe to have them in a home with other small pets.

Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound and the Scottish Deerhound are also Sighthounds, although because of their large size they are not as fast as some other members of the group. These dogs from the British Isles were used to hunt wolves, boar and deer. These are very

Scottish Deerhound

ancient breeds that may date back to Iron age times. The Borzoi, a tall, graceful Sighthound from Russia, was likewise used to hunt wolves.

All of these dogs are known for being fast. They had to be in order to chase and bring down their prey. Unlike some other hunting dogs which worked with humans, these dogs both found and killed their quarry, whether it was a hare, a wolf, a deer, or something else.

Borzoi

Beagle

At the opposite end of this spectrum are the scent hounds. Scent hounds, such as the Beagle, the Foxhound (American, English), Coonhounds, the Bloodhound, and so on, work by gathering scent, usually from the ground. This is often a slower process

American Foxhound

and the dogs often have their nose to the ground. They may work more closely with humans to follow and find their prey. Where a Sighthound may be out of sight of the hunter, the scent hound is usually in touch with the hunter, or at least can be heard.

Bloodhound

Today most Sighthounds excel at being great pets and wonderful couch potatoes. There is little call to use them for hunting wolves or even hares. However, lure coursing makes a fun activity that Sighthound owners can enjoy with their dogs. Lure coursing uses a piece of plastic attached to a wire and runs it across a field like it's "prey." The dogs are turned loose to chase it. Lots of Sighthounds love lure coursing. If you have a Sighthound you and your dog might enjoy lure coursing.

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Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds For Allergic People

There are a number of hypoallergenic dog breeds for allergic people that will be perfect for you and your family. Some people are allergic to the dander (flakes of dead skin), as well as the saliva and urine.

Here are some dog breeds that can be in your home if you are allergic. I am sure you will be find a companion for you.

Afghan Hound

The Afghan is the aristocrat of the dog breeds. He has an aloofness about him. This is a dog that needs attention and cannot be left unsupervised for long periods of time.

He is social with other dogs if he has been socialized as a puppy. He is a hunter and can hunt smaller pets. He needs a lot space so an apartments life is not for him. He needs to be exercised daily. These dogs need a gentle leader that will always take the lead.

Bichon Frise

This is an amazing family pet. He has such a cute teddy bear face and is great with children. He loves to play and is very sociable, they are always happy and are very gentle.

The only draw back is that they do suffer from separation anxiety and cannot go for long periods of time on their own. So if you are going to be away for long periods at time, this dog is not for you.

The Bichon is a very active dog and they do need a lot of exercise as they are normally high energy dogs. They will love walks and playing with you.

Labradoodle

This beautiful crossbreed is intelligent, friendly, and affectionate towards people and other dogs. This breed does not shed but does require grooming about every 6 weeks. At eight weeks old, your puppy is ready to do some training,

Start your training at this age and not older as they then become more headstrong, start taking him to puppy kindergarten class between 10 to 12 weeks if you can.

When it comes to grooming these are high maintenance dogs and needs to be brushed at least every second day with a slicker brush. Keep their ears dry and clean as they are prone to ear infections.

Xoloitzcuintli

You do pronounce it as "show-low-eats-queent-lee." This dog has also been called the Mexican Hairless. They grow to 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the shoulder.

If you are a first time dog owner I would not suggest that you get this breed of dog as they do need a lot attention and hate being alone. They love being with the family but are somewhat intolerant towards other dogs.

They are easy to train as they are intelligent, but are barkers and if left to do their own thing they could wander off.

There are a lot of families missing out on knowing what it is to have a dog love you and you loving it right back. However there are dog breeds out there for those who love dogs but are allergic to dander. Come and see a few breeds that could share your home.

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