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The Afghan Retriever is a hybrid breed of dog that has been created by the crossing of the Afghan Hound and the Golden Retriever. A hybrid dog is not a mutt. The difference is that the ancestry of the hybrid is known, whereas the bloodlines of a mutt are unknown. The Afghan Retriever was a genius mix! With this mating came a very intelligent, loving, and friendly dog, excelling in hunting as well as being a family companion.

The breed is accepted for registry in the DRA, Dog Registry of America. They are classified under the "retriever or hound" category. Although having a registered dog may not mean that much to the average pet owner who is only looking for a loving companion, it does increase the monetary value of the dog for those who want to breed the animal or compete with him or her.

According to breed standards, the Afghan Retriever should be between 23 and 26 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers. Males will often be larger than females, in both height and weight. Their weight can really vary according to their height size. They are a medium to large sized dog, though. The face is proportionate to the body, with a rather long muzzle. The nose is black and the small eyes are usually a darl shade of black or brown. The ears are held in the folded over position, sitting high on the head. The furry tail is tapered and usually held in the downward position when the dog is at rest. When he or she gets excited or interested in something, the tail will usually go up.

The Afghan Retriever has a medium to long length coat, with a nice sheen to the fur when it is kept healthy. The breed can come yellow brown or dark brown. The coat typically picks up the more rough texture of the Afghan Hound than it does the softness of the Golden Retriever. Their grooming should be maintained regularly. A weekly brushing with a stiff, rubber-bristled brush and a shampoo if absolutely needed will suffice. Do not shampoo if you can avoid it as this will strip the natural oils that the dog already has to protect the coat. This will help to ensure that nothing is stuck in the fur, that there is no matting, and that it retains its natural shine. It will also help to remove some of the loose hairs, keeping shedding down.

Afghan Retrievers are smart dogs and can be trained quickly, as long as there is good human to canine communication. . Training must be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. Rewards and treats for a job well done will be very encouraging to this breed. They usually really want to please their owners. If you are consistent and calm, the dog will usually respond well to training and actually enjoy learning the rules.

These dogs are energetic and they must have at least a brisk walk daily, as well as some time for running and playing off the leash. They usually know, though, when it is time for play to end and will calm down. This breed should be kept stimulated, both mentally and physically, to prevent them from becoming bored. A bored Afghan Retriever will create their own fun and it will not usually please you. They may become destructive or prone to excessive barking. They are usually very friendly and social dogs, good with people and other animals. Although they aren't aggressive in the least, they will protect the family that they love if it is necessary.

Learn more about this author, Victoria Tiegert.
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