Canis lupus familiaris
Afghan Hound
Featured photoafghan-hound.jpgThe Afghan Hound is a ancient Afghan highland sighthound — aristocratic coursing dog of the Hindu Kush. The Afghan Hound is one of the oldest documented dog types, with sighthound forms closely matching the modern breed depicted in cave paintings and rock carvings of ancient Afghanistan and the Sinai region.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Hound
- Origin country
- Afghanistan
- Origin period
- Antiquity (modern type 19th century)
- Coat type
- Long
- Coat colors
- All colours acceptable — gold, cream, red, brindle, black, blue, grey, with various pattern combinations
- Average lifespan
- 12-14 years
- Recognition
- AKC 1926 · FCI 1955 · UKC 1948 · Group 10 — Sighthounds (Section 1: Long-haired or fringed Sighthounds)
Origin
Sighthound types closely matching the modern Afghan are documented in cave paintings of ancient Afghanistan, in rock carvings of the Sinai region dating to roughly 4000 BCE, and in the funerary art of ancient Egypt. The breed was developed in the mountainous Afghan highlands as a sighthound for coursing gazelle, fox, and snow leopard at altitude. British officers serving on the Indian and Afghan frontier began bringing the dogs to England in the late 19th century; an early line was established in Scotland by Major G. Bell-Murray and Miss Jean C. Manson from 1907, and a second by Major and Mrs. G. Amps in 1920. The Kennel Club registered the breed in 1926 and the AKC followed the same year.
Recognition
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1926, the United Kennel Club followed in 1948, and the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 228) in 1955. The FCI assigns the breed to Group 10 — Sighthounds (Section 1: Long-haired or fringed Sighthounds).
Standard
The AKC and FCI standards describe an aristocratic, dignified hound of striking appearance, with an exotic, far-eastern silhouette. The defining feature is the long, fine, silky coat: long topknot of silken hair, long silky ears and feet feathering, smooth saddle of short hair across the back. Any colour is acceptable, with no preference imposed. Males stand 68-74 cm at the withers, females 63-69 cm. The hipbones are prominent and unusually wide-set — a breed-defining hallmark.
Sources & further reading (3)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
- fci-standard — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
What is the Afghan Hound's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the Afghan Hound in the Hound Group. The Hound Group gathers breeds developed for the hunt, broadly split into scent hounds (Bloodhound, Beagle, Coonhounds) and sight hounds (Greyhound, Whippet, Borzoi). The breed's foundation working role was as a ancient Afghan highland sighthound — aristocratic coursing dog of the Hindu Kush.
When was the Afghan Hound officially recognized?
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1926; the United Kennel Club followed in 1948; the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 228) in 1955.
What is the average lifespan of a Afghan Hound?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the Afghan Hound's average lifespan in the 12-14 years range. The figure here represents the spread reported by the major parent-club studies and the Kennel Club (UK) purebred-dog health surveys.
