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The Afghan: Ultimate Elegance
continued
Introduction
> Appearance
> Care and
Training
Care and Training
The Afghan is not an easy keeper. His coat must be brushed regularly
to remove dead hairs and prevent mats and tangles. Puppy coats need
brushing as they lengthen, so youngsters must be accustomed to grooming
from the moment they enter the family. Somewhere between his 10th
and 18th months, the Afghan loses his puppy coat. The process takes
a month or more; during this time, the dog should be completely
examined daily for tiny tangles that can grow into large mats in
short order. As the dead hairs fall, they catch in the remaining
hairs and form tangles next to the skin. If the tangles are not
combed out, they thicken into nightmarish blobs of hair that can
cause skin irritation, require long grooming sessions, and may even
need to be cut out.
Slicker brushes are effective tools for removing these tangles
from the skin out. Brushing or combing the coat from the outside
into the skin can further twist hairs into the developing mat.
Generally healthy, the Afghan has a low incidence of hip dysplasia,
can suffer from cataracts, and has the sighthounds' sensitivity
to pesticides and anesthesia. Some breeders fear the effects of
anesthesia on their dogs and so do not x-ray breeding stock for
joint degeneration.
The dog has a tremendous need for exercise and should be walked
a mile or two each day. Although he is strong, independent, and
intelligent, the Afghan is often shy and sensitive to harsh correction
so must be trained with care. Jerks on the leash and shrill commands
are out and gentle guidance and firm discipline are in. Obedience
training boosts his confidence, intensifies the owner-dog communication,
and controls his boisterous behavior.
The Afghan can be a wonderful companion, well-matched to an elegant
lifestyle. However, many people are drawn to the breed's appearance
without understanding its need for grooming, exercise, and gentle
training, and the Afghan Rescue Committee winds up with dogs abandoned
because they continually run away, refuse to obey their owners,
or have the audacity to have a matted coat. Before choosing an Afghan,
buyers should carefully consider the time they have available to
care for this exquisite canine companion.
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