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Afghan Spaniel |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Afghanistan <> U.S.A. -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Afghan Spaniel |
| The Afghan Spaniel is an interesting mix of two dogs that love to hunt as much as they love to play. The Afghan Greyhound has always been known for its elegance and speed, while the Cocker Spaniel is renowned for its desire to please and its joie de vivre. There are two types of Cocker, the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel, which are similar in size, energy, appearance and temperament. These two types were considered a single breed until 1936, when the English Cocker Spaniel Club was founded in America. The Americans modified the Cocker Spaniel in a way that the English Cocker Spaniel Club didn't approve of, and so they went their separate ways. |
History of the Afghan Spaniel |
| Little is known about the Afghan Spaniel as it is a very recent breed, but the history of its parent breeds can give an insight into its characteristics. |
A little of the Afghan Hound |
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| The Afghan Greyhound is a sighthound and one of the oldest breeds in history, dating back to ancient Egypt where drawings of these magnificent dogs were found. It is thought that the Afghan Greyhound was used in hunting to flush out and catch gazelles and rabbits. It was finally noticed in the early 1800s when it was brought back from the mountains of Afghanistan, where it had lived in isolation for centuries. At first, the Afghan Hound was known as the Persian Greyhound or Barukhzy Greyhound, but it was later renamed after the region from which it originated. It was first noticed in the United States in 1926, when it was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and became popular, but mainly with the wealthy. | ||
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| Standard of the Afghan Hound | ||
A little of the American Cocker Spaniel |
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| The Cocker Spaniel comes from a large family called the Spaniels, which includes seven varieties: the Welsh Springer Spaniel, the Sussex Spaniel, the Irish Water Spaniel, the Field Spaniel, the English Springer Spaniel, the Cocker Spaniel and the Clumber Spaniel. They were divided into water and land spaniels, with several types of each. The breed's origins date back to the 1300s, with a description written by Gaston Phébus. The Cocker Spaniel is one of the most popular dogs in the United States, and has been a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC) since 1878. The name Cocker comes from their particular ability to hunt woodcock. | ||
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| Standard of the American Cocker Spaniel |
Appearance of the Afghan Spaniel |
| The Afghan Spaniel is a medium-sized dog with a well-proportioned body, sturdy legs, a large head and muzzle, a long neck and pendulous furry ears. It has a long, fine outer coat and a thick undercoat that protects it from the cold. Afghan Spaniels come in many color combinations, depending on the color of their parents. Among the most common colors are cream, white, gold, black, light brown, brown and combinations of these. With his inquisitive expression and dark oval eyes, he seems to know what you're talking about. The Afghan Spaniel tends to resemble a smaller-boned American Cocker Spaniel or a small-sized Afghan Greyhound, whichever is stronger. |
Temperament of the Afghan Spaniel |
| Due to the limited amount of information available on this breed, the temperament of its parent breeds is the best way to determine what it will become. The American Cocker Spaniel is a loyal, lovable family pet that enjoys cuddling as much as hunting. He gets on well with children and pets and is really too gentle to be a guard dog. The Afghan Greyhound is an independent breed that can be wary of strangers, making it a good watchdog. They can become destructive if you don't give them enough time to keep them from getting bored, so think twice if you're away from home a lot. However, they're happy if they can chase neighborhood squirrels around a fenced-in yard all day. |
Needs and activities of the Afghan Spaniel |
| Having a dog that is both an Afghan Greyhound and an American Cocker Spaniel may seem like the best of both worlds, but both breeds can have a stubborn side that makes training sometimes difficult, and they can easily become shy in the presence of strangers. Socialization and training should be part of your dog's daily activity plan. Taking him on long walks around the neighborhood or to nearby parks is a great way for him to get some exercise and meet new people along the way. Be prepared to spend at least 45 minutes a day playing or walking with him to keep him active and happy. |
Maintenance of the Afghan Spaniel |
| Both the Afghan Greyhound and the American Cocker Spaniel have long, fine coats that need a lot of attention. You should therefore be prepared to brush your Afghan Spaniel at least three times a week to keep its coat tangle-free and its skin healthy. Another solution is to have your dog trimmed and groomed every two months. You can bathe your dog when necessary, with a mild shampoo and conditioner specially designed for fine-haired dogs. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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