The Afghan Spaniel is known to have entered the breeding market quite recently. This is good news for all the sporty doggo lovers as these dogs are quite active and playful. The Afghan Spaniel is not a pure breed and was developed by mixing the Afghan Hound with the American Cocker Spaniel.
These dogs are quite loving and affectionate and are greatly adored by their owners. If you are one of those active singles who love adventures, then we would say an Afghan Spaniel is your dog.
Afghan Spaniel History
The Afghan Spaniels hails from the United States and is known to join the breeding stakes quite recently. Since the Afghan Spaniel is a new breed there is quite little that the researchers have to say about them. Nevertheless, the history of their ancestors is so well documented that you can easily evaluate their characteristics on the basis of that.
The Afghan Hound is known to be used for hunting since ancient times. They were the sighthounds who were used to flush and catch gazelle and rabbits. These dogs are known to live in the mountains of Afghanistan since a long time but were noticed in 1800s. The Cocker Spaniel, on the other hand, was a herding dog. It comes from a large family of Spaniel that consists of seven varieties. Their history can be dated back to 1300s. Since the beginning, these dogs were known as loyal herding partners, who were active and agile.
Afghan Spaniel Characteristics
The Afghan Spaniels are medium-sized dogs. The male Afghan Spaniel is around 20-24 inches tall, while the female is around 19-23 inches tall. These dogs weigh around 30-45 pounds and have a well-proportioned structure. They have strong legs, a long neck, large head, dark brown oval eyes and furry ears. These dogs tend to have a larger muzzle which helps them avoid breathing problems.
These dogs have a double coat. There is a thick undercoat to withstand cold temperatures and a long thin outer coat. Their hair are generally straight and can be found in seven colors. These include golden, black, brown, cream, white, silver and grey. However, the appearance of these dogs can be quite unpredictable usually because they are mix breeds.
Afghan Spaniel Temperament/Personality
Since an Afghan Spaniel is a mix breed, you can never be sure about their temperament. If you are buying an Afghan Spaniel from a breeder, we would suggest you to enquire about its parents’ temperament to understand them much better. Generally, these dogs are quite outgoing and playful. Due to the Spaniel background these dogs might love to cuddle. Overall, these dogs are alert and can be great watch dogs. They usually do not get well along with younger children and are quite wary at times. They are also not known to mingle with strangers and other pets.
Caring for Afghan Spaniel
When petting an Afghan Spaniel, there are few things that you need to take care of to ensure that your dog stays fit. You can find all the relevant information here below.
Afghan Spaniel Nutrition
The Afghan Spaniel has a moderate activity level so, should be fed accordingly. We would suggest you to feed them with a high quality dog food to ensure that they get all the nutrients that are required for a healthy growth.
Usually, an Afghan Spaniel requires 2.5 cups of Kennel per day. You can divide this into two halves and feed them at equal intervals. Nevertheless, we would still suggest you to consult a veterinarian to get a diet chart that is the most suitable to your dog’s age and size. It usually costs around $34-$45 per month to feed an Afghan Spaniel.
Afghan Spaniel Grooming
When you are going for an Afghan Spaniel, you should be prepared to invest a good amount of time in their grooming. These dogs, like their parents, require an active grooming routine. We would suggest you to brush these dogs daily with a pin brush or a comb to avoid tangles and matting. You should also get their hair trimmed by a professional groomer after every few months. You should get them bathed when you think they are looking untidy. Apart from that you are also required to clean their ear with a soft damp cloth and check their nails on a weekly basis.
Afghan Spaniel Activity Levels
The Afghan Spaniels requires a moderate level of activities every week. We would suggest you to take them on a walk of atleast 45 minutes every day. In total these dogs like walking upto 6 miles every week.
The Afghan Spaniels are really possessive so, we would say that you should make socialization an integral part of their activity routine. Walks help a lot in this regard. These dogs might get stubborn while training so you have to make sure that you stay consistent throughout the process to make them get the most out of these sessions.
Afghan Spaniel Maintenance
When you are going for an Afghan Spaniel, you should know that you will have to serve a good amount of time in maintaining these dogs as they require a great amount of maintenance. It is important to keep a good check on their maintenance to ensure that these dogs stay healthy. A lack of attention towards these dogs can make them more susceptible to infections.
Afghan Spaniel Health
It is generally seen that the hybrid dogs are lesser susceptible to diseases in comparison with their parents. This is because they have a larger gene pool. However, they are often susceptible to inherit disorders from their parents which get visible in later ages.
We would suggest you to go for a complete physical examination of these dogs atleast once a year. They might develop disorders like Otitis Externa, Hypothyroidism and Dilated Cardiomyopathy at a later age. If they stay healthy, an Afghan Spaniel will live for 12-15 years.
Breeds Similar to Afghan Spaniel
Best Dog Food for Afghan Spaniels
The best dog food for Afghan Spaniels is Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food. This dog food recipe is suitable for maintaining a healthier appetite for your Afghan Spaniel, as it contains natural chicken as a primary ingredient. The composition is such that the meal contains hefty nutrients in an apt quantity.
- Features a holistic blend of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics that are necessary for maintaining a better health
- Designed in a way that it features a higher proportion of protein, which is better for your Afghan Spaniel
- Helps support immune response
Best Puppy Food for Afghan Spaniels
If you think of the best puppy food for Afghan Spaniels, so Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy Food would undoubtedly be a perfect choice. This dog food is thoughtfully designed to provide a higher proportion of protein to your growing Afghan Spaniel puppy by having natural chicken as its first ingredient. The formulation is further fortified with vitamins and minerals like Calcium that help strengthen bones and joints.
- Crafted using non-GMO ingredients which contains a simpler formula that is easier to digest
- Features brown rice and sweet potato to provide instant energy
- The taste of this kibble makes it loved by your Afghan Spaniel puppy.
Best Dog Crate for Afghan Spaniels
The best dog crate for Afghan Spaniels is MidWest LifeStages Collapsible Wire Dog Crate. This dog crate has been engineered in a way that will help you have a long-term quality experience. The makers have well-welded the crate to make it unable to break or catch rust with time.
- Features electro-coated wires
- Available in various sizes
- Features rounded corners to help it avoid any chances of damaging your furniture.
Best Dog Bed for Afghan Spaniels
The best dog bed for Afghan Spaniels is Best Friends by Sheri The Original Calming Shag Vegan Dog Bed. This dog bed is designed to provide immense comfort and relaxation to your Afghan Spaniel. Kudos to its cozy design bestowed by the faux-shag fur fabric used to design this bed.
- Features an extra filling that helps in providing orthopedic support
- The material used for designing the cover is dryer friendly.
- Can be washed in a machine too
Best Dog Harness for Afghan Spaniels
The best dog harness for Afghan Spaniels is PetSafe 3 in 1 Dog Harness. This dog harness is designed to provide a high-quality user experience, as the company has used a durable nylon webbing to design it. Since this harness is sewn using a reflective material, it can be used for late-night walking sessions as well.
- A great choice for training sessions
- Features an adjustable fitting that allows you to adjust the harness as per your Afghan Spaniel’s size
- The straps are lined using neoprene, which provides greater comfort to your Afghan Spaniel.
Best Dog Collar for Afghan Spaniels
The best dog collar for Afghan Spaniels is Dogline Round Soft Leather Dog Collar, as this collar is crafted to provide a unique look and experience to your Afghan Spaniel. The makers have used a high-quality European Leather wrapped around a nylon cord to provide a durable collar. Since this collar is available in several colors, you can pick the one that best suits you.
- Available in various sizes
- Designed to be soft yet durable
- Features a metal hardware
Best Dog Muzzle for Afghan Spaniels
The best dog muzzle for Afghan Spaniels is Four Paws Walk-About Quick-Fit Dog Muzzle. This dog muzzle is designed using nylon only, so its design is pretty durable and lasts long. Since the straps are adjustable, the muzzle can be fit as per the size and would be suitable for growing pups as well.
- Available in seven sizes
- It helps stop biting, barking, or chewing habits, which dogs often develop.
- Suitable for vet visits and grooming sessions
Best Dog Toys for Afghan Spaniels
The best dog toy for Afghan Spaniels is KONG Classic Flyer Frisbee Dog Toy. This toy’s makers have used a soft rubber to design it, as that would make it flexible and help your Afghan Spaniel hold it better. Since it is pretty lightweight, it would be a great pick for fetching and retrieving sessions.
- A great option for fetching sessions
- Designed specifically for outdoor use, so would be apt for your outgoing Afghan Spaniel.
- Features a buoyant design
Best Dog Brush for Afghan Spaniels
The best dog brush for Afghan Spaniels is Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush, as it is designed to provide the best user experience. This brush’s makers have introduced a retractable pin design, which makes it easier for you to clean the brush. Overall, the design of this brush is pretty ergonomic, so you will enjoy the grooming sessions.
- Features fine stainless steel pins
- The pins are flexible and soft for a better grooming experience.
- Does not cause any skin damage, as the pins are angled
Best Dog Shampoo for Afghan Spaniels
The best dog shampoo for Afghan Spaniels is TropiClean Luxury 2 in 1 Pet Shampoo & Conditioner. This unique shampoo has a dual effect where it nourishes your Afghan Spaniel’s coat and skin and cleans it. All of this is done with the efficient blend of natural ingredients that this shampoo has.
- It does not cause any skin disorder as the composition’s pH is well regulated.
- The formulation lacks soap to avoid dryness.
- Enriched with coconut oils that helps cleans the coat
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