I’m a sucker for new dog breeds. Recently, the breed named Afghan retriever has intrigued me.
This newly evolved designer breed has piqued its name in the dog market. The spunky, playful breed is a unique one that is ideal for most dog lovers.
Now let us dig a little deeper into the details of this breed to help our dog owners have a better idea about them before adopting one of them.
About the breed
A mixed breed rising in popularity among dog lovers, the Afghan Retriever has as its parent breeds the Afghan Hound and the Golden Retriever.
Just as playful and intelligent as its parent breed, the Afghan Retriever has a long flowy coat and a muscular and lithe body. One of its unique characteristics is its floppy ears.
The Afghan Retriever has also inherited its hunting ancestry and is, therefore, a vigilant dog breed. But their hunter-like energy is contrasted by their energetic, playful, and friendly side.
A good house pet, the Afghan retriever is both loyal and smart. They are independent, lovable, and silly.
Afghan Retriever Dog Breed History
A crossbreed of the Afghan Hound and the Golden Retriever, the Afghan Retriever is a fun, energetic, and playful dog.
They do not have a notable history of their own but have a rich ancestry that owes to their parent breeds.
One of its parent breeds, the Afghan Hound, has its origins in Afghanistan. They were bred to be hunting dogs, chasing after gazelles and impalas.
They are a breed that existed even before written language and are pure-breed dogs.
The Golden Retrievers, on the other hand, originated in Scotland and England; they were brought to the United States in the 1900s; and were recognized with the AKC in 1925.
It is the 3rd most popular dog breed in the US, while the Afghan Hound ranks 113th. They serve as companion dogs owing to their loyal nature, hunting dogs.
They are fast learners and are invaluable as service dogs and therapy dogs.
The Afghan Retriever retains its hunter-like instincts from both the parent breeds. They are quite agile.
They are fun-loving, loyal, and playful like their Golden Retriever parents. They take after the Afghan Hounds in terms of elegance.
Afghan Retriever Dog Breed Job Card / Overview⤵️
| Name of breed | Afghan Retriever |
| Other Name of Afador | Afghan Retriever |
| Type of Dog Breed | Mixed/Crossbreed/Hybrid |
| Origin of breed | United States of America; Afghanistan and Scotland |
| Parent breeds of breed | Afghan Retriever and Golden Retriever |
| Height of breed | 23 – 26 inches |
| Weight of breed | 50 – 70 lbs |
| Life Expectancy of breed | 12 – 15 years |
| Persona of bree | Friendly; Energetic and intelligent |
| Apartment Living suitability | Ideal for Apartment living |
| Friendly to other pets | Yes |
| Diseases prone | cataracts; histiocytosis; bloating; glaucoma; allergies; and subaortic stenosis |
| Health expectancy of the breed | Healthy |
| Ability to reason and understand (cognitive abilities) | Intelligent |
What to Know
• It is possible to develop these breeds into well-mannered dogs through consistent training.
• Their long shiny coats are beautiful and require lots of grooming to be maintained.
• These dogs require frequent grooming sessions, and you must be ready for that if you are thinking of adopting the breed.
• They are moderate shedders and tend to shed most in the summer seasons.
• They are a perfect family dog and are very compatible with almost everyone.
• They can be adapted into apartment life, but they would enjoy a garden to run about the most.
Characteristics
Adaptability
The Afghan retriever being a mixed breed puppy acquires a combination of traits of both its parent breeds. Thus, it might be used for apartment living like one of its parents, the retrievers.
However, some of them might have an independent and aloof nature owing to the traits of the Afghan Hounds. It wouldn’t be surprising if your Afghan retriever has a reserved nature and takes a longer time to adjust to a particular environment.
Examining the personality and experiences of a dog is crucial for determining its adaptability.
Adaptability
Prefers Being Unescorted
Ideal for First-Time Dog Owners
Affinity Towards Cold Weather
Affinity Towards Hot Weather
Scope of Living in An Apartment
Friendliness
They are friendly, calm, yet energetic dogs. They get along with both children and other pets. They do have a stubborn streak, probably inherited from the Afghan Hound, and therefore are a little difficult to train.
But once they are properly trained, these breeds are the best addition to your family.
They are perfect playmates, but it is advised that they are not to be left alone with small children. A playful and non-aggressive breed, they would do well with your other pets too.
Friendliness
Loves Other Dogs
Loves Being Around Family
Amicable to Strangers
Loves Being Around Kids
Personality
Similar to their size, the Afghan Retriever is a perfect mix of both its parent breeds when it comes to their personality too.
The Golden Retriever, a popular family dog, is known for their playful, loving, and caring nature.
This, mixed with the calm elegance of the Afghan Hound, finds perfection in the Afghan Retriever.
Temperament
They are very intelligent and smart dogs and are eager to please. They love to follow the rules. They are goofy and dignified and are a treat to be around.
They often garner attention with their beautiful looks and friendly personalities.
Friendly with kids
The friendliness of a dog usually depends on the environment it is reared. However, a certain part of its nature depends on the genes.
In general, Afghan retrievers are moreover friendly with kids but infants below five years of age shouldn’t be left alone with them.
Training and grooming also play a crucial role in the nature associated with kids.
Amicable to other pets
Afghan retrievers being a mixed breed, don’t have a very predictable nature. However, its nature is significantly dependent on an individual dog’s genetics and upbringing.
Proper training and early socialization would help in promoting friendly behavior towards other pets. ✅
It is crucial to set up a proper, safe, and friendly environment for your dog where you can monitor and control their behavior with other pets.
Barking tendencies
Afghan retrievers may exhibit barking tendencies. However, it must be noted that this trait shouldn’t be generalized.
Individual dogs may have varied tendencies depending on their training, socialization, and environment provided.
Considering this breed is known to be independent and aloof, they might turn out to be slightly stern.
Being originally bred for guarding livestock and property they are instinctively vigilant; thus, whenever they perceive any potential threat they start barking.
At times, these barking tendencies might turn out to be annoying in quiet households.
Possibilities of staying alone
The possibility of staying alone for this breed might vary from dog to dog, just like in the case of any other breed.
Some might be able to stay alone for moderate periods, whereas others might have a hard time spending little periods when left alone.
Since these dogs are known for their affectionate nature and strong bonding with their families most of them usually want to remain in the company of their loved ones.
If you need your Afghan retriever to stay alone for longer periods for circumstantial reasons, then early socialization and appropriate training should be provided from the very childhood. ⚡️
Male vs. Female Attitude
The difference between a male and female Afghan Retriever is not obvious unless observed closely.
Their physical attributes are almost the same, with a height ranging between 23 to 26 inches and a weight falling between 5 to 70 pounds.
The female Afghan Retrievers can, however, be a little lighter. Both genders are very devoted and loving towards their owners, but the female Afghan Retriever tends to be a lot less likely to try hard to please anyone.
Male Afghan Retrievers are a lot more territorial and aggressive, too, whereas the females are softer and more caring.
Pros and Cons
Now let us look into a brief overview of the pros and cons of an Afghan retriever.⤵️
Pros
- They have striking beauty and elegant appearance.
- These dogs are diligent thinkers and possess great intelligence.
- They are family dogs who are extremely affectionate and share a strong bond with their family members.
- They are quite patient and subtle with children which makes them ideal family dogs.
Cons
- They need lots of grooming to keep them healthy. This might be time-consuming and expensive.
- These dogs need regular physical activity to keep them physically and mentally healthy. Lack of exercise might lead to behavioral issues.
- Since they are known to be independent, this trait might prove difficult to train them.
- They are sensitive and prone to separation anxiety if left alone for longer periods.
Appearance
| Coat Type | Medium to long length |
| Coat Colors | Black; red; brown; cream and fawn |
| Level of Grooming | Lots of grooming |
| Level of Shedding | Moderate shedding |
General Appearance
The Afghan retriever is a big breed with a long, silky-haired coat floppy ears, and an elongated snout.
It is more like a small-sized Golden retriever. However, they get their strong, muscular legs from the Afghan hound. ⚡️
They have a strong build, large paws, and a long neck. They might have a squarish head with a strong muzzle and little brown eyes.
This breed is a mix of the Golden retriever and Afghan hound and has an appearance that looks something in between both the parent breeds.
Coat color
The Afghan Retrievers are a crossbred dog breed, and it is only obvious that they would take after both their parent breeds in everything, even in their shedding frequency and rate.
The Afghan Hound is a hypoallergenic dog breed that tends to shed very less compared to other dog breeds, and the Golden Retrievers are dog breeds that shed seasonally but in a lesser amount.
The Afghan Retrievers, therefore, are minimal shedders who shed mostly during warmer climates.
These dog breeds have medium to long coats that can be black, brown, cream, or red colors.
Afghan Retrievers generally have black, brown, red, or cream coats of medium to long length. Their dense and wiry coat would require to be professionally groomed every other month. Other than that, brushing regularly can keep their hair from matting.
Shedding
As mentioned earlier, being a hybrid dog breed, the Afghan Retriever could take after any or both of its parents in terms of shedding.
The Afghan Hounds shed very low, and the Golden Retrievers shed only during the summers, that too a very small amount.
The Afghan Retriever stands somewhere in between as it also tends to shed when the climate is warmer, but the shedding rate is very low.
Size⤵️
The Afghan Retriever is a medium to large-sized dog, and they often take after their Golden Retriever parents in terms of look.
They are muscular and slighter when compared to the Golden Retriever and mostly take after the Afghan Hound in those terms. They can be as tall as 26 inches and can weigh up to 70 lbs.
They look very similar to both the parent breeds, but it is difficult to ascertain which breed they take the most after.
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 27 inches | 27 inches |
| Weight | 65 pounds | 65 pounds |
Health
The Afghan Retriever dog breed shares the same conditions that are known to affect their parent breeds, the Afghan Hounds and Golden Retrievers. Some of the health problems the Afghan Retriever breeds face are- ⤵️
| Health Problems |
|---|
| Cataracts |
| Glaucoma |
| Allergies |
| Histiocytosis |
| Bloating |
| Subaortic Stenosis |
| Health Test |
|---|
| Eye examination |
| Blood analysis |
| Complete Physical Test |
| Examination |
| Allergy Testing |
| Hip and Elbow X-Rays |
Health And Grooming
Shedding Level:
Drool Capacity
Grooming Capability
Chances of Weight Gain
Overall Health
Breed Size
Maintenance and Care
The Golden Retriever is a seasonal shedder with a comparatively low shedding rate, while the Afghan Hounds are known to be hypoallergenic dog breeds who shed low to none.
Their hybrid mix, the Afghan Retriever, should be expected to shed occasionally, especially during the summertime.
You must brush through their manes regularly to avoid the formation of matted knots that can become the breeding ground of bacteria and such.
Grooming
Brushing regularly also helps with the blood flow and thereby keeps the Afghan Retriever’s skin healthy.
If you live in a place with a warmer climate, it would be good if you take your Afghan Retriever to professional groomers every few months.
Bathing with a mild shampoo once a month is essential if you are in a warmer region. Use toothpaste made for dogs to keep your Afghan Hound’s teeth clean and healthy. ⚡️
Food and Nutrition
Dog food made for large-sized dogs is suitable for the Afghan Retriever. Dog foods meant for larger dogs are high in glucosamine, a nutrient that helps support and strengthen their joints.
Make sure their diet is high in protein as well. Since the Afghan Retriever is an active dog breed, a good amount of calorie intake will be good.
Nutrients that strengthen them and protein that bulks them up will make up for the energy they spend running about and being active all day.
Food Cost
The quantity of food required for your pet depends on its size, weight, and metabolism. Thus, it may differ from one dog to another. However, the average amount of food needed for a standard-sized Afghan retriever is 3 cups of dog food.
Accordingly, the approximate daily food cost ranges from $1.50- $1.90, which rolls down to $39.00- $52.00 every month.
Exercise and activity level
Where most dogs would be happy taking a run about the backyard, the Afghan Retrievers would not be satiated by this. The Afghan Retrievers are Retrievers by blood and are natural adventure seekers.
Give them an hour or more to walk or run about, accompany you on a trekking expedition, or simply let them swim for a little while to keep your Afghan Retriever happy and sharp.
| Ease of training | Easy to train |
| Level of Vitality | High |
| Level of Exercise Ideally Required | Medium; 60 minutes of daily activity |
| Puppies | 4 – 7 puppies |
Physical Requirements
Level of Vitality
Ferocity
Physical Movements
Loves to Play
Trainability
Considering the Afghan retriever is a mix of an Afghan hound and a Golden retriever Its trait is determined by the dominant gene it possesses as per birth.
However, in a generalized view training should be pursued patiently. Consistency and positive reinforcement might do wonders in this case.
The training schedule must include early socialization, regular exercise, and other mentally stimulating activities.
A professional dog trainer should be ideally appointed to provide proper obedience training to your Afghan retriever puppy. ✅
However, the fact that your dog’s trainability rate depends on a lot of peripheral factors like genetics, early experiences, and temperament must be kept in mind.
Trainability
Training Potential
Capability to Reason
Popping Everything Into the Mouth
Hunting Capabilities
Love for Traveling
Barking Potentiality
Conclusion
The Afghan Retriever, a captivating crossbreed of the Afghan Hound and Golden Retriever, boasts an elegant coat and playful spirit. With hunting instincts balanced by affectionate loyalty, they fit well in families. While grooming and exercise demand attention, their unique blend of traits makes them an engaging and loving companion.
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FAQs On The Afghan Retriever Dog breed⤵️
Are Afghan Retriever dogs kid-friendly?
The Afghan Retrievers are a very friendly dog breed, but adult supervision is highly recommended when they are left to play with kids.
What kind of dog food is the best for an Afghan Retriever?
Feed your Afghan Retriever high-quality dog food that is made especially for large dogs.
Will an Afghan Retriever develop separation anxiety if left alone?
The Afghan Retrievers are independent dogs, and it is okay to leave them alone.
I am a passionate animal lover with a lifelong commitment to pet care. With over a decade of experience as a pet owner, I’ve nurtured a variety of furry and feathered friends, from cats and dogs to birds and reptiles. I possess a deep understanding of their unique needs, behavior, and health. My mission is to share my knowledge and insights to help fellow pet enthusiasts provide the best possible care for their beloved companions.