Afghan Sheepdog: Breed Info, Pictures, Care Guide & More

The Afghan Sheepdog is a singular and extremely energetic hybrid canine breed. A mix of the elegant and dependable Afghan Hound and the highly effective and alert Belgian Sheepdog, this designer canine breed has quite a bit to supply potential homeowners. However, these canine are positively not appropriate for each home, household, or way of life. Read on to study extra about this distinctive hybrid and resolve if it’s best for you.

Breed Overview

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The Afghan Sheepdog is a hybrid breed combining character and look from the dad or mum breeds, Afghan Hounds and Belgian Sheepdogs. Though the founding breeds are fairly totally different in look, with the Afghan Hounds’ silky and regal coat and the Belgian Sheepdogs’ various coat kinds and lengths, they do have some very comparable character traits. Both mother and father are born and bred working canine, so the Afghan Sheepdog is more likely to keep their mother and father’ hardworking, athletic, and energetic nature.

Afghan Sheepdog Characteristics

Afghan Sheepdog Puppies

We have been unable to seek out any breeders focusing on the Afghan Sheepdog. While that doesn’t imply you gained’t have the ability to discover one in all these hybrid pups out there for adoption, it does barely complicate the method. We suggest trying out our native rescues and animal shelters to see if there’s an Afghan Hound x Belgian Sheepdog up for adoption. Sometimes breed-specific rescues will even have mixes up for adoption, so don’t overlook to have a look at Afghan Hound or Belgian Shepherd rescues to see what is on the market.

Afghan Sheepdog Breed Origin & History

As the Afghan Sheepdog is a hybrid breed, not a lot is understood about its origin or historical past. However, we do know fairly a bit concerning the dad or mum breeds and their origin,

The Afghan Hound is an historical breed that predates the emergence of contemporary canine breeds within the 19^th century. They originated within the chilly mountainous area of Afghanistan and served as looking companions and standing symbols of royals and aristocrats.

The Belgian Sheepdog originated in Belgium and have been bred to function cattle herders. However, the drive and flexibility of the breed made them appropriate for work past the pastures, too. When these canine made their method to New York and Paris, they started working as police canine and alongside border patrol brokers. They even served as messengers and ambulance canine throughout WWI.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Afghan Sheepdog

The temperament of the Afghan Sheepdog could fluctuate, relying on which dad or mum breed the pup takes after extra. However, there some character traits are shared by each breeds.

Your Afghan Sheepdog is more likely to be energetic and energetic. Their working canine DNA could make them pure herders or nice looking companions. They’re more likely to present uneasiness towards unusual people and animals, however this may be decreased by socialization and coaching.

The Afghan Sheepdog’s intelligence can fluctuate relying on which dad or mum’s DNA is extra prevalent. Belgian Sheepdogs are very smart, rating within the high 15 of 130 canine breeds. This means they’ll perceive new instructions inside 5 to fifteen repetitions and obey the primary command 85% of the time (or higher). Conversely, the Afghan Hound falls a lot decrease on the dimensions, rating quantity 79. This means they’ve the bottom diploma of working/obedience intelligence. Understanding new instructions can take as much as 100 repetitions or extra, and so they’ll typically solely obey the primary command 25% of the time (or worse).

The Afghan Sheepdog could also be barely reserved and timid, with a considerably impartial nature resembling a cat. This is as a result of their Afghan Hound dad or mum is understood for its sleek, dignified, and dependable nature.

Thanks to their Belgian sheepdog facet, they could even be extremely motivated for exhausting work however very delicate. These canine crave human companionship and are all the time bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for sports activities or actions wherein they’ll all the time give their all.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Afghan Sheepdogs could make implausible household pets. However, they is probably not appropriate for all household dynamics. They sometimes do effectively in properties with older kids, however that’s to not say they can’t thrive in properties with youthful children. It’s greatest to undertake an Afghan Sheepdog when your kids are younger so the 2 could be raised collectively.

Proper supervision is crucial anytime younger kids are left within the presence of an Afghan Sheepdog. They could have a decreased capability for youths who’re grabby or don’t totally perceive methods to respect boundaries. Additionally, their pure herding abilities can result in accidents or accidents in the event that they knock over younger kids.

Thanks to their Belgian shepherd facet, Afghan Sheepdogs could have robust protecting, guarding, and territorial instincts. They may also be brave, vigilant, and attentive, all qualities that make them glorious watchdogs for your loved ones. However, in the event that they take after their Afghan Hound facet, they could be too reserved to be a top quality watchdog.

It may be good to know what kind of Belgian Sheepdog your pup’s dad or mum was. There are some slight character variations between the 4 sorts, which can make some much less acceptable for

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

If correctly educated and socialized from a younger age, the Afghan Sheepdog can get alongside swimmingly with different well-trained canine. Their Belgian Sheepdog facet is understood for forming robust bonds with canine they stay with and work alongside, so when you’re a multi-dog family, that is one thing heartwarming to stay up for. However, this love of canine companionship doesn’t all the time apply to Afghan Hounds, so it’s possible you’ll need to tread fastidiously if you recognize your canine favors that dad or mum extra.

The Afghan Sheepdog is probably not one of the best breed for households with cats, reptiles, birds, or pocket pets like guinea pigs or hamsters. Both dad or mum breeds can have a robust prey drive, which can make them extra more likely to chase and even harm different family pets. However, some pups can get alongside effectively with cats, particularly in the event that they’ve been raised with them.

Things to Know When Owning an Afghan Sheepdog

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Afghan Sheepdogs needs to be fed high-quality business pet food formulated for his or her present life stage. Puppy meals needs to be supplied till your pet is at the very least one 12 months outdated earlier than transitioning them to grownup pet food to make sure your pet is getting the vitamins they should develop and thrive at a correct price.

Puppy meals is extra calorically and nutrient-dense than meals formulated for adults. It sometimes accommodates extra protein and fats to assist your pup’s progress, and as soon as they hit that one-year mark, they gained’t want as many energy.

If your Afghan Sheepdog is extremely energetic, you might also contemplate pet food particularly for energetic breeds. These diets will comprise protein and fats content material just like that your pup was consuming in puppyhood to account for his or her greater power requirement.

Exercise 🐕

The Afghan Sheepdog’s excessive power degree means it requires a variety of train each day. Physical exercise doesn’t have to solely appear like walks, although. These canine will fortunately tag alongside on a wide range of adventures and might even excel in canine sports activities like luring, agility, herding, flyball, and obedience.

With correct coaching, your Afghan Sheepdog may also make an awesome mountaineering associate. However, they could be a bit nervous round strangers, which is the place socialization will come in useful.

Training 🦮

The Afghan Sheepdog typically responds effectively to coaching, particularly in the event that they favor their Belgian Sheepdog facet over their Afghan Hound facet. The former breed is extra clever and rather more trainable than the latter. That’s to not say your Afghan Hound-favoring pup gained’t be trainable, however it might take extra effort and time.

Early coaching is crucial for these canine, as they could attempt to dominate weaker-willed homeowners who are usually not prepared or in a position to step into the alpha function. For this motive, we don’t suggest the Afghan Sheepdog for a first-time canine proprietor. Owners ought to have some extent of confidence and expertise with canine earlier than adopting this breed.

Grooming ✂️

The look of your Afghan Sheepdog’s coat can fluctuate vastly, relying on what kind of Belgian Sheepdog was used throughout breeding and which dad or mum your pup seems to be extra like.

The lengthy, fine-textured coat of the Afghan Hound requires a substantial quantity of care and grooming. If your pup has this coat kind, it is best to always bathe them earlier than grooming to make it extra manageable. Some groomers suggest bathing Afghan Hounds as typically as two to 4 instances month-to-month.

The Belgian Sheepdog’s grooming wants aren’t as demanding. Their double coat is fairly simple to take care of, particularly when it’s not shedding season. A once-weekly brushing needs to be all of your canine wants in the event that they favor their Belgian Sheepdog facet. Baths could be very rare until your pup will get into one thing messy.

Like different breeds, the Afghan Sheepdog would require common nail trims and dental care.

Health and Conditions 🏥

The Afghan Sheepdog has a comparatively lengthy lifespan, although they could be susceptible to the well being circumstances that have an effect on their dad or mum breeds.

Belgian Sheepdogs can develop joint circumstances like progressive retinal atrophy and epilepsy.

Afghan Hounds could be susceptible to growing gastric dilatation-volvulus, hereditary necrotizing myelopathy, and panosteitis.

Both breeds can develop joint circumstances like elbow and hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism. Due to their decrease physique fats, they may also be delicate to anesthesia, which can require specialised veterinary care if they should have surgical procedures.

Male vs Female

Male Afghan Sheepdogs typically develop to be barely taller and heavier than their feminine counterparts. Males could be as tall as 24 to 27 inches, whereas females needs to be across the 22- to 25-inch mark. As for weight, males can weigh between 55 and 75 kilos, and females can weigh between 40 and 60 kilos.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Afghan Sheepdog

1. There are 4 types of Belgian Sheepdog.

There are 4 distinct types of the Belgian Sheepdog, every distinguishable by their coat kind and shade. The Groenendael has lengthy, black hair; the Laekenois is fawn-colored with tough air; the Malinois can be fawn-colored however sports activities a shorter coat; and the Tervuren is a long-haired fawn-colored breed.

2. The Afghan Sheepdog combines traits from the hound group and the herding group.

Afghan Hounds are a part of the “Hound” group of canine, whereas Belgian Sheepdogs are a part of the “Herding” group.

Hound canine share the widespread ancestral trait of getting used for looking. While Afghan Hounds aren’t sometimes used as hunters at present, they’re nonetheless typically seen within the sport of lure coursing.

Herding canine share the instinctual potential to manage the motion of different animals. The intuition to herd is so robust and innately constructed into these canine that some have been recognized to softly herd their human caretakers, particularly in the event that they’re kids.

3. The Afghan Sheepdog doesn’t like strangers.

The Afghan Hound and Belgian Sheepdog are pleasant and outgoing towards their relations however are reserved and aloof round strangers. They could also be vigilant and distrustful round new folks, however socialization and coaching might help deal with such behaviors.

Final Thoughts

The Afghan Sheepdog is a extremely energetic combined canine breed that mixes among the greatest qualities of its dad or mum breeds. They have the arrogance, grace, and loyalty of the Afghan Hound and the intelligence, obedience, and sensitivity of the Belgian Shepherd.

These canine could be extremely trainable and versatile. Their excessive power ranges and dealing canine historical past imply they require a variety of train, so potential homeowners needs to be prepared and in a position to ship on that.

This isn’t a breed we’d suggest for first-time canine homeowners, as they are often cussed and strong-willed. They want an proprietor who’s assured and prepared to step into the alpha function. We additionally wouldn’t suggest the Afghan Sheepdog for {couples} who’re contemplating or simply starting to broaden their households. While these canine can get alongside nice with kids, it’s typically greatest to attend till your children are a bit older and extra accountable earlier than welcoming a canine with such energy into the house.

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