With the looks of a glamor model, and the physique of an athlete, the Afghan is an instantly recognizable dog breed.

These impressive dogs can be as tall as 29 inches at the shoulder and commonly weigh up to 58 pounds. They have an impressive coat that is long, sleek and lustrous. Any color is permitted within the breed standard, although white markings are not allowed.

Another feature of the breed is a black facemask, and in some dogs you’ll also see a long ‘moustache’, which is referred to as a mandarin. Like most sighthounds, the Afghan was developed for hunting small game. The breed is from Afghanistan and was first seen in the west during the 1800s. However, by the end of World War One, very few remained.

The dogs we know today virtually all descend from a group imported to Scotland in the 1920’s. These dogs quickly became star performers at many dog shows, and soon gained recognition from the kennel clubs in all major English-speaking countries.

The Afghan Hound is an ancient dog breed that is genetically very close to the wolf, and is considered a close relative of the first domestic dogs.The Afghan is not your typically eager-to-please pet. They can be quite aloof, and economical with their affection. They also can be hard to train, despite being quite intelligent dogs.

Some even describe their temperament as cat-like, in their ability to totally disregard you. Put it this way, an Afghan will obey if he sees a good reason to, otherwise he just won’t.

But they are still great pets, and can be surprisingly loving with those close to them. With strangers though, they’ll keep their distance, until you’ve earned their trust and respect.

In common with many sight hounds, Afghans have a tendency towards laziness. They enjoy nothing more than to curl up on the couch or a comfortable blanket and wile the hours away.

Outdoors though, it’s an entirely different story. The hunting instinct kicks in and they will chase anything that moves, small animals in particular.Despite its limited gene pool, the Afghan is a surprisingly healthy dog. They suffer from few of the problems that typically afflict purebreds. They are however prone to eye diseases, with cataracts a particular problem.

Grooming an Afghan is a labor intensive job. The coat needs daily brushing to keep it looking its best and will also have to be trimmed by a professional groomer every once in a while.

The Afghan may be a hunting dog, but that doesn’t mean it enjoys living outdoors. These dogs much prefer sleeping on a comfy couch than in a kennel. Besides, the dog’s coat may look impressive, but it actually provides very little protection in cold weather.

Finding dog names, for your Afghan Hound is an easy task, when you know where to look. My recommendation is puppy names hq.com, a site with an extensive database of dog names including 1000s of male dog names to choose from.