If you are thinking of adopting an Afghan hound there are some important things to be aware of. While these dogs are gorgeous, intelligent and loyal animals they are not right for everyone.

Afghan Hounds and Children

These are very energetic dogs, especially during puppyhood and this should be considered if you have children. They are not vicious animals by any means but their chasing and nipping may be too much for young children to tolerate.
If you are considering adopting an adult Afghan try to find out if the dog you are considering has had experience with children in the past. If not the unpredictable sounds and movements of young children may cause problems as these dogs are nervous by nature. Puppies who grow up with children usually adapt quite well. If you do decide to adopt an Afghan it's important, as with any animal, that your pet be supervised at all times when with your children.

Afghan Hounds and Other Pets

Afghan hounds like to chase things and they aren't going to differentiate between something they are hunting in the wild and your neighbor's cat. They tend to follow their instincts which could end badly if your dog isn't under your constant watch. If there are a lot of small animals in your neighborhood it would be wise to keep your Afghan in a fenced area and monitor him closely when he is outdoors. If you have other small animals in your house hold you may want to consider how much it is going to interfere with your daily life to keep your pets separated when you aren't there to supervise. Again, these dogs aren't vicious but they are sight hounds and it is their nature to chase things.

Afghan Hounds and Strangers

Afghan hounds aren't overly aggressive toward strangers but they can be extremely shy when confronted with people and places that they are unfamiliar with. These dogs generally attach themselves to family members and are distrustful of others. While this is not necessarily a bad trait it may become an annoyance if you travel often and find yourself having to coax and cajole your pet through every new situation.
On the other hand, exposing Afghans to new people and places does sometimes result in a more outgoing and friendly dog, so if you have the time and patience to work with your pet the Afghan hound could still be the right fit for your family.

Afghan Hounds and Emotional Stress

Afghan hounds are very sensitive to stress. If your home is filled with a lot of tension, disagreements and loud voices this is probably not the best choice of dog for you. Too much stress can result in inappropriate chewing, barking, whining or even intestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhea. If you can't provide a calm and peaceful environment the Afghan hound is probably not the best choice for you.
Of course, this article is just an overview of the nature of the Afghan hound and every dog is different. These are just a few things you might want to consider so that if you do decide to adopt one of these wonderful dogs you will be making a well informed decision.

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