en look of the
Afghan Hound Standards
Called the \"dog of Noah s Ark\" by tribesmen hunters of Afghanistan，
the Afghan Hound is probably the most ancient of breeds. With his proud
carriage， regal action and flowing coat and topknot， he is also one of the
most unusual dogs in appearance， sure to attract attention wherever he goes.
Although the Afghan is a newcomer to America， having been here only
about thirty years， his colorful history goes back an estimated 8，000 years.
The actual age of the breed is a disputed point， but all acknowledge it to be
the oldest of known breeds. Long-haired dogs of the greyhound type were
pictured and described in Egypt of 4000 B.C. The royal rulers took great
pride in their hunting dogs and would keep only the best. So it came about
that Afghans earned royal favor ~nd were kept in packs for hunting. They
were often the pampered pets of royal princesses and became known as the
dogs of royalty; they are still called that today.
Afghans were jealously guarded and great care was taken in the breed-
ing and pedigree records， At times one royal household might present a gift
of a fine hound to another as a token of friendship. This may have been the
way in which， during succeeding centuries， they arrived in Afghanistan， the
rugged， mountainous country which gives the breed its name.
The Afghan has been put to a wide variety of uses down through the
centuries， always living close to men. His reputation as a hunter is unexcelled
in his native land where he has been used against a variety of wild game，
including antelope and gazelle and even the dangerous snow leopard. Hunt-
ing in packs， Afghans work in pairs to bring down their prey， although
noted hunters are credited with kills singlehanded. The Afghan possesses
great speed and stamina and can travel over rocky， rugged ground with ease，
due to his unique structure. The Afghan s wide， high hip bones are found
in no other breed， and this prominence gives puppies particularly a gaunt
look. The huge paws， well protected by heavy hair between the pads， give
an Afghan good footing on rough terrain.
The Afghan s long legs and deep chest also come from ancestors selected
for their ability to twist and turn and leap over obstacles in pursuit of game.
The powerful jaw and well-muscled frame were needed for a dog to pull
down such prey as the fierce wildcats.
The Afghan has many capabilities. In his native country， his herding
instinct has been put to use on flocks of sheep and goats. There has also
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