Raising dogs, especially providing care for the afghan hound, is a specialty of people across the globe. Zoologists have proven that dogs were domesticated between twelve thousand and twenty five thousand years ago—and that dogs evolved from the wolf. Since those days, human beings have selectively bred more than four hundred different breeds, which range in size from 4-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the distinction of the tallest dog. However, the most widespread canines are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The afghan hound is another favorite pick with dog owners. Many owners are oblivious, however, of many of the most common afghan hound care tips.
Health care cost for the afghan hound
The annual budget for caring for the afghan hound—to include nutrition and treats, veterinary care, toys and license—could vary between four hundred twenty and $780. This is not even counting capital expenses for sterilization surgery, collar and leash, carrier and a doggie crate. Tip: Be positive you have all of the necessary supplies before you get your afghan hound home.
Typical afghan hound Care
afghan hound Feeding Routine
- afghan hound pups between 8 and 12 weeks old need 4 meals in a day.
- Feed afghan hound puppies three to 6 months old three meals each day.
- Feed puppies six months to 1 year 2 times in a twenty-four hour period.
- When your afghan hound hits his or her 1st birthday, 1 meal every 24 hours is adequate.
- Some adult afghan hounds might do better with 2 smaller helpings. It is your responsibility to learn your afghan hound’s eating tendencies.
Premium-quality dry dog food ensures a balanced diet for grown afghan hounds and can mix with canned food, broth, or water. Your afghan hound may also be fond of cooked eggs, cottage cheese, and fruits and vegetables, but these dishes should be less than 10 percent of his or her daily food allowance. afghan hound puppies should probably be given top-quality, name brand puppy food. You should cut down on “table food”, however, since it can cause mineral and vitamin deficiencies, tooth and bone problems, and may cause some extremely picky eating habits and obesity. Clean, potable water should be made always, and make certain to wash water and food bowls very regularly.
afghan hound Care Tips: Make sure to get your afghan hound plenty of daily physical activity
afghan hounds need physical activity in order to stay healthy, stimulate their minds, and stay healthy. Daily physical activity also really helps afghan hounds fight boredom, which can lead to difficult behavior. Going outside can cure many of your afghan hound’s desires to herd, dig, chase, retrieve and chew. Individual exercise needs will vary based on your afghan hound’s age and her level of health—but 10 minutes outside and merely a walk around the block every day probably isn’t enough. If your afghan hound is a 6 to 18 month adolescent, her requirements will be relatively more.
afghan hound Grooming Tips
Regular brushing will help keep your afghan hound clean and reduce shedding. Check for ticks and fleas every day during the summer or other warm weather. Many afghan hounds don’t need to be bathed more than a few times a year. Prior to giving him a bath, comb or cut out any mats from the afghan hound’s coat. Rinse all soap out of the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap.
How to Handle Your afghan hound
Pups are obviously easier to handle. When carrying the afghan hound pup, take one of your hands and place it beneath your dog’s chest, either with the forearm or your other hand supporting his back legs and rear. Don’t ever attempt to grab or lift your puppy by the front legs, tail or nape. If you need to pick up a bigger, adult afghan hound, pick it up from underneath, bracing her chest with one arm and rear end with the other arm.
How to House the afghan hound
Your afghan hound needs a comfy peaceful spot to be able to rest apart from all the breezes and off the floor. You may want to think about purchasing a dog bed, or consider making one out of a wooden box. Put a clean sheet, blanket, or pillow inside the bed for cushion. Wash the afghan hound’s bed covering often. If the afghan hound will be outdoors often, make sure he has shade and plenty of cool water in the summer, and a warm, dry, covered shelter in winter.
afghan hound Licensing and Identification
Your city has licensing regulations to heed. Be certain you affix the license to your afghan hound’s collar. This, together with an ID tattoo or tag, may help you recover your afghan hound if she happens to go missing.
Facts on afghan hound Temperament
Thoughts on afghan hound Training
Well-behaved, companion afghan hounds are a blessing to raise. However, left untrained, your dog could be a big pain. Training your afghan hound on the basics—”Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, and “Leave it”—will strengthen the relationship with both your afghan hound as well as your neighbors. If you own a pup, begin training her on the appropriate behavior as soon as humanly possible! Treats should be utilized as incentive and a reward. Puppies should join obedience courses when they are adequately immunized. Contact the local humane society or SPCA for information about training classes. You should always keep your afghan hound on a leash when, even while a puppy. Just be sure your doggie will come to you when you say. An aggressive or disobedient afghan hound should not play with kids.
Knowing Your afghan hound’s Health
afghan hounds should see the vet for a full check-up, shots and a heartworm blood test annualy, and as soon as possible when she is ill or injured.
afghan hound Dental Health
While many of us may object to our afghan hound’s bad breath, we must pay attention to what it may be a sign of. Foul breath usually means that your afghan hound should get an oral check up. Plaque triggered by germs brings a terrible smell that can only be cured by the help of a professional. After you give your afghan hound a professional oral cleaning, his gums and teeth can be maintained by feeding a special diet focused on dental health, eliminating table food, and regular brushing. The veterinarian can provide you with more tips for eradicating oral disease and bad breath. You can easily clean the afghan hound’s teeth using a doggie paste or a baking-soda-and-water paste twice a week. Brush them with a piece of nylon stocking wrapped around the finger, a gauze pad, or a soft, child’s toothbrush. Sometimes afghan hounds develop periodontal disease, also called gum disease. This dreadful disease will sometimes result in loss of your afghan hound’s teeth and cause diseases throughout the rest of his body. Veterinarians can sometimes brush your dog’s teeth at a regular checkup.
Bad afghan hound Breath
Although bad breath caused by oral disease may not be that serious if caught early, sometimes those odors may indicate serious, long-term issues. A fruity, even pleasant smell may often be indicative of diabetes, while intestinal or liver diseases may cause foul breath. Kidney disease is a possible reason when your afghan hound’s breath smells of ammonia or urine. Whenever you determine your afghan hound has foul breath along with other symptoms of disease, such as loss of appetite, nausea, loss of weight, bad mood, increasing drinking and urination, schedule a trip to his vet.
afghan hound Flea and Tick Issues
Daily, regular checks of your afghan hound for ticks and fleas in the summer are vital. You can remove and find fleas using a flea comb. There are numerous new technologies of flea management. Refer to your veterinarian about his or her recommendations.
afghan hounds With Heartworm Issues
The heartworm is a parasite that lives in the heart and is passed from an infested dog to your afghan hound by mosquitoes. Heartworm infestations are deadly. It is important to make sure your afghan hound has a blood test for this parasite annually in the spring. A monthly pill given throughout mosquito season can protect your afghan hound. Should you ever vacation in warmer climates with your afghan hound during the winter, he ought to be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some more moderate areas, vets advise preemptive heartworm medication be taken all year.
Medications and Poisons
If you’re contemplating giving your afghan hound medicine that was not prescribed for her by his doctor, forget about it. Did you know that just one ibuprofen capsule causes ulcers in afghan hounds? Make sure your afghan hound is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. When you have reason to suspect your dog has consumed a toxin, immediately call your veterinarian or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 24 hours per day for assistance.
afghan hound Sterilization Procedures
Female afghan hounds should be spayed—which is the removal of the ovaries and uterus—and males neutered—removal of the testes—by 6 months old. You will usually significantly reduce your female afghan hound’s chance of breast cancer by spaying before adulthood. The risk of an infected uterus, which is another serious condition that impacts older females, will also be eliminated by spaying while young. Neutering male afghan hounds eliminates the risk of prostate diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggression.
Shots for your afghan hound
- Your afghan hound puppy should be immunized with a combination innoculation (called the “five-in-one”) at 2, three and 4 months of age, and again once each year. This innoculation immunizes your afghan hound puppy from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. Your afghan hound puppy’s vaccination program cannot be finished before four months old.
- If your afghan hound has not been innoculated and is older than 4 months, he will need 2 innoculations promptly, 2 to 3 weeks apart. Then you must vaccinate every year.
- Your afghan hound puppy’s socialization should coincide with his innoculation program. You can take your afghan hound pup to socialization classes by 8 or nine weeks of age, as recommended by most veterinarians. At this age, they should have received at least their first vaccinations.
Because rules are so different between different areas, call a local veterinarian to get info about rabies immunization. In NYC, for example, the regulation states that any pets older than 3 months must be vaccinated for rabies. After the first immunization, he must have another innoculation the next year, and then every three years after that. There are a variety of vaccines, many of which are effective for your afghan hound. Others, however, are not. Ask your afghan hound’s vet for his recommendation. Also, if your afghan hound gets sick because she is not properly vaccinated, do not administer the vaccination until the dog has made a full recovery.
Roundworms in afghan hounds
afghan hounds are commonly exposed to worms and possible infestation—even in urban areas. Tiny eggs created by hookworms are passed in an infected dog’s stool. Most pups, from all environments, even those with healthy mothers, carry intestinal worms. The secret to effective treatment is correct diagnosis. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed treatment will be highly effective against your afghan hound’s worms. A dewormer that eliminates hookworms, for example, cannot kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian can best identify the culprit—and decide the best medicine.
Miscellaneous afghan hound Care Tips
Checklist of afghan hound Supplies
- High-quality dog food and treats specifically for afghan hounds and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water bowl
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Comb & brush for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with ID tag and license
- Leash
- Carrier (for pups)
- Crate for training
- Dog box or bed with quilt or towel
- Doggie or child’s toothbrush
The no-no list
The following items should never be fed to afghan hounds:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Chocolate, tea, coffee, or any other caffeinated foods
- Raisins or grapes
- Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Chicken, turkey, or any other poultry bones
- Salt and salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems and unripe fruit
- Yeast dough
The “Bottom” Line
Unless you are at home, or in a fenced-in, secured area, always keep your afghan hound on a leash. Whenever your afghan hound does number two on your neighbor’s yard, the sidewalk or any other public place, please dispose of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about afghan hounds
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