How to Identify an Afghan Hound

One of the oldest dog breeds, Afghan hounds are known for their long, gorgeous coats of dark fur and delicate, gentle personalities. To fans of the breed, an Afghan hound is a unique dog; to the untrained eye, it might be hard to tell this breed from other types of dogs. Here's how to tell whether you're looking at a purebred Afghan hound.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Take note of the dog's vital stats. A true Afghan hound measures about 27 to 29 inches and weighs 58 to 64 lbs. Females may be slightly smaller, and of course overweight Afghans could exceed this weight range, but this is the general benchmark.

2. Check out the dog's face. A purebred Afghan hound has a black nose, dark, almond-shaped eyes and ears set flat against the head. Afghans are known for their silky topnots at the crown of their heads. An Afghan hound's teeth can have either a scissors or level bite.

3. Note the fur. Afghan hounds are high maintenance pets because of their gorgeous but difficult to maintain coats. Typically they are the color of sand, but could come in a variety of shades except for white. The ears and face will be slightly darker than the rest of the body.

4. Look at the dog's tail. Afghan hounds have tails with a distinctive ring or curl at the tip.

5. Get a vibe from the dog. Afghan hounds typically are very regal in personality, don't have the best pain tolerance, and while they aren't aggressive, they aren't always warm, either.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if you've determined the dog you're checking out isn't a purebred Afghan hound, consider adopting a mixed breed dog anyway. Often mutts make great pets--and you can worry less about genetic diseases common to the breed.