Believed to have existed from way back the pre-Christian era, the Afghan Hound’s history is still filled with unanswered questions. This breed originated from the cold mountains of Afghanistan where it was referred to as Tāžī Spay (Tazhi Spay).
The Afghan Hound is easily distinguishable from other dog breeds due to its unique look, characterized by a fine, silky coat. It has a narrow head, high hipbones, lean body, and a long, curly tail.
Despite its considerable height—growing up to 29 inches—it only weighs up to around 44 to 60 pounds.
Although the Afghan Hound possesses an elegant look, it has high hunting instincts. It is a naturally-active breed and will usually enjoy chasing other smaller animals.
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What are the One-time Expenses?
- Buying price
An Afghan Hound adult or puppy usually costs around $1,500 to $3,000 on the average. You can find one from reputable sites like the Next Day Pets and Puppy Find. You can also try searching locally for any trusted breeders within your area.
The Afghan Hound Club of America (AHCA) has a breeder directory available on its website which you may find useful.
If you prefer to adopt, there are some trusted sites that you can check out. There are the Afghan Hound Rescue of Southern California (AHRSC) and the North East Afghan Hound Rescue (NEAHR), to name a few.
- Feeding bowls
The standard design of dog feeding bowls may be a bit uncomfortable for the Afghan Hound. It can sometimes smudge its long hairy ears with food or water while eating from a standard bowl. That’s why it is recommended that you buy your pet a long-eared bowl instead.
Long-eared feeding bowls help prevent your pet’s ears from getting wet or dirty. This is especially important for the Afghan Hound due to the large amount of grooming it needs. You can buy one for only $15.95.
- Leash and collar
Like most gazehounds, the Afghan Hound may sometimes get out of the usual buckle collar design. It is better that you buy your pet a specialized collar to prevent it from randomly escaping.
You can buy a leash and collar bundle from 2 Hounds Design for around $19.99 to $35. These products perfectly fit most kinds of hounds and prevent escaping, while also ensuring that your pet still feels comfortable.
- Bedding
The Afghan Hound is quite tall, so the best size for it is XL (33” x 45”). It can easily adapt well to most kinds of households but it is also very sensitive. It needs a comfortable XL-sized bedding to feel cozy. You can buy one for as low as $16.49 on PetCo.
What are Included When Buying an Afghan Hound?
When buying from reputable breeders, there are some things that must be included which indicate that they are competent. There are also some breeders that may include a freebie or two.
The first thing that you should ask for is the documents. There should be a registration certificate, pedigree certificate, and medical records. The registration certificate includes information on the dog’s parents and its birthdate.
The pedigree certificate is basically the family tree of the dog. It should show up to 4 or 5 generations of the dog’s ancestry.
The Afghan Hound is susceptible to several health problems such as hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, panosteitis, and medial canthal pocket syndrome. The medical record should show these and other potential health problems to give you an idea of what to expect.
Aside from these documents, most reputable breeders may add a bag or two of dog food. There may also be some accessories included in the transaction like feeding bowls or collars. The breeder may also throw in a recommended diet plan for your pet.
What are the Recurring Expenses?
- Food
The recommended daily intake for the Afghan Hound is 2 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry dog food. It needs just the right balance of protein and carbohydrates depending on how active it is.
The top two best dog foods for it are the Gold Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food and the Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food.
The Gold Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food is enhanced with probiotics which aid in your pet’s digestion. It costs around $54.25 per 33-pound bag.
The Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food is a bit more expensive. It is a great source of DHA and contains Taurine for a healthier heart. It is priced at $61.74 per 30-pound bag.
- Grooming expenses
Although the buying price of an Afghan Hound is not that high, grooming expenses are another matter. Its majestic hair has its obvious downside – proper grooming.
If you are inexperienced, it is advisable that you first get your pet cleaned by a trained groomer in a reputable dog daycare.
The Central Bark Doggy Day Care offers the Barkley Works package starting at $35. This package includes bathing, blow-drying, nail trimming, brushing, and ear cleaning. It also offers a full grooming service. The price depends on the dog, but given the Afghan Hound’s hair, it surely will not be cheap.
The Central Bark Doggy Day Care also offers Furminator™ service which reduces your pet’s shedding by 60 to 80 percent. It has other available services starting at $10 depending on the type of service and the dog breed.
- Healthcare
It is important that you look out for your pet’s health regularly to prevent the development of certain diseases. The Compass Veterinary Clinic offers an annual pet wellness exam for only $49. This is very important in diagnosing possible health problems, especially considering the sensitivity of the Afghan Hound.
Other than general check-ups, you should also have your pet vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and checked for dental care.
The VIP Pet Care offers vaccination packages for $39 to $75 depending on your dog’s age. This includes all necessary vaccines such as Influenza shots, Leptospirosis, and shots for parasites like hookworm.
Spay/neuter service is relatively costly but you only need to avail it once. The Anicira Veterinary Center offers spay/neuter service which is priced between $129 and $149 depending on your pet’s weight. This procedure is better done as early in your pet’s life as possible.
Dental care is as important as those we’ve mentioned above. The Pet Dental USA offers a free dental exam for your pet. This includes a full dental exam, recommendations for treatment, and cost estimation for other possible dental procedures.
Their dental operations cost between $189 and $669 depending on the type of service and the severity of your pet’s dental problems if any.
What are the Factors That Can Affect the Afghan Hound Price?
A dog breed’s price is never set in stone. There is always a range in the price due to several factors. The main one being the reputation of the breeder.
Famous breeders will usually have more expensive dogs for sale but there is also the assurance of good quality. Their location will matter too, especially for areas saturated with breeders competing with each other.
Whether the dog is certified or not also plays a role in the price, so is the training it went through, or the lack thereof usually affects the price tag. This training refers not only to physical exercises but also socialization and housetraining.
Another important factor is the general health and well-being of the dog. This takes into account what food the dog eats and whether it received vaccines or had been dewormed prior to being sold.
