Page 245 - ShowSight, March 2020

SO YOU THINK AN
AFGHAN HOUND
IS FOR YOU?
BY SUSAN HOWELL HAMLIN
Purported to be the oldest recognized breed of dog, legend also says that the Afghan Hound was the breed that Noah took on the Ark. Images of Afghan type dogs have been found on the walls of ancient caves in the Middle East. However, it wasn’t until the late 19th and early part of the 20th centu- ries that several of these unusual dogs were imported to England and it wasn’t until 1931 that Zeppo Marx (of Marx Brothers fame) brought a pair for breeding to the United States. The rest, as they say, is history.
Why would anyone ever want to own an Afghan Hound? If you’re a dog lover and have an eye for beauty and glamour, an Afghan Hound might appeal to you. Aside from the fact that they are drop-dead gor- geous animals, why would a person be tempted to purchase one of these unusual looking dogs?
Just seeing an Afghan Hound and admiring their exotic looks is one thing, but living with them and caring for them is an entirely different matter.
My initial introduction to the breed was at the New England cir- cuit in Vermont in 1953. When I saw my first real live Afghan Hound, I knew I had to have one. It wasn’t until ten years later that I was able to acquire my first Afghan Hound. It wasn’t until that time when that puppy stole his way into my heart that I became truly aware of the breed’s character.
The Afghan Hound is not an in-your-face breed. The fact, that their personalities don’t need constant attention appeals to me. They are by nature independent and somewhat standoffish. The Afghan Hounds I’ve known (and have owned me), have been my friends, and are happy with kind words, and a pat on the head. However, they don’t need you to play with them all the time. The Afghan’s aloof personal- ity charms me. That is not to say, they don’t like attention—but it has to be on their terms.
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