Petzlover
Afghan Hound is originated from Afghanistan but Thai Ridgeback is originated from Thailand. Afghan Hound may grow 13 cm / 6 inches higher than Thai Ridgeback. Both Afghan Hound and Thai Ridgeback are of same weight. Both Afghan Hound and Thai Ridgeback has almost same life span. Both Afghan Hound and Thai Ridgeback has almost same litter size. Afghan Hound requires High Maintenance. But Thai Ridgeback requires Moderate Maintenance
The first known information about Afghan Hound was in the 19th century. That dog looked like a Saluki. The breed that we know today is a mix of an Afghan hound accentor which came to Britain in 1920s and other breeds that were popular in that period. Afghan Hound became popular because they were used to hunt big prays in Afghanistan. One of those breeds was Tasy breed. They were very popular among royalty because of its posture and elegance. Their popularity grew very quickly through the whole Europe.
They were also very popular because they were used to hunt antelopes, gazelles, and snow panthers. In India, English soldiers used them as a mail carrier.
Until recently the Thai Ridgeback was not known outside of its native land. However, after being recently recognized as a standard breed, the dogs are getting some notice from the western world. They are one of three known ridgeback breeds with the ridge running the opposite direction of the rest of her fur. The other breeds with this characteristic are the better known Rhodesian Ridgeback and the even lesser known Phu Quoc Ridgeback.
The Thai Ridgeback is believed to have originated in eastern Thailand but there is no documentation of their actual history. The breed is thought to be descended from the Funan Ridgeback based on a genetic hypothesis. It is thought that the same Funan Ridgeback is an ancestor od the Phu Quoc Dog. This Funan Ridgeback lived over a century ago. Along with the Rhodesian Ridgeback, all have a common ridgebearing ancestor.
It is still unknown where the original ridge came from but it has been shown that all of the ridgeback dogs have the same genetic mutation and even though the Rhodisian is from Africa, there is not a parallel mutation. The Thai Ridgeback is an active, energetic, tough dog. He is loyal, intelligent, and has great jumping ability.
The average weight of an adult male is 26-34kg, while females are smaller with an average weight approximately 23 kg.
While average height of the Afghan Hound is 68-74cm. Females are slightly smaller with an average height of 63cm.
The lifespan of an Afghan Hound is 12-14 years, but that always depends on the dog to dog. If you have a healthy dog and you take proper care, they tend to live much longer than average lifespan.
Litter Size again variates from dog to dog, but an average litter size is 6-7 puppies.
Afghan hound has many other names, so you might know this breed as Tazi, Tazhi Spay, Da Kochyano Spay, Sage Balochi, Ogar Afgan, Barakzai Hound, Eastern Greyhound, and Persian Greyhound.
The breed is medium in size and muscular in body. They have a wedge shaped head, a short coat that is smooth and pricked, triangular ears. The ridge on his back is pronounced as the hair grows away from the rest of the coat from the hips to the withers. Puppies can be born with or without the ridge. They are extremely agile. With what is often called a sword tail being carried up, the Ridgeback has wrinkles on his forehead, a black tongue or the tongue has black marks, and almond shaped eyes.
The coat sheds minimally and is dense, while the eyes are usually brown – in blue dogs they can be amber. The color of the coat is fawn, red, black or blue with a black mask on the reds. There are 8 different ridge patterns: Feather, violin, saddleback, needle, arrow, bowling pin, lute, and leaf. The broader the ridge the better the dog is considered for show.
There are two epistatic genes that determine the ridge and its size. The more genes of this type the individual dog has, the broader the ridge will be. There must be a dominant gene for the ridge to appear at all.
Afghan hounds love spending time with one owner or one family. They are not very sociable with other guests. They won’t bark or attack. They simply just don’t enjoy big crowd company. They do not enjoy spending time with children, but if trained properly they will learn to adjust. They simply don’t like quick and sudden movements, but they are not aggressive towards children. They are very independent and intelligent dogs. It is important to be gentle, patient and kind because they love positive training and awards. They are amazing breed with proper owner. Rough handling and punishments will make Afghan hound withdrawn or even depressed. Afghan hound do not tend to please its owner.
Afghan hounds are generally very healthy breed. But, as every breed, they have tendencies to some health problems. If you want to prevent those diseases it is important to select a right and healthy puppy.
Elbow and hip dysplasia are basically common health problem to any big breed. Juvenile cataracts, Cancer and Hypothyroidism are some of the health problems that have been found in this breed, but overall, with proper care and regular vet checks, you will have a happy and healthy Afghan.
With such a mysterious origin, there are not a lot of documented episodes of genetic illness as the breed has been isolated in Thailand and natural selection has driven reproduction. There are only a few issues that they are genetically predisposed to. These include:
• Dermoid Sinus – this is a genetic skin condition known as pilonidal sinus as well. This is a defect in the neural tube and the sinus might be removed. If the sinus is wrapped around the spinal cord and cannot be removed it can be tied off.
• Bloat – can be terminal if not treated as soon as possible. Bloat is a distension of the stomach and intestines which can twist and tangle, killing the dog almost immediately without veterinary attention.
Afghan hound loves eating and 2-2.5 cups of high-quality dry food. It is better if the dog is feeding twice a day. Always depends on the activity of the dog, metabolism, age, size and built. So it is important to observe your dog and to realize what is the best quantity of food.
Feeding the Afghan puppy should be feed at least 3-5 times per day. It is important to feed your puppy with smaller portions, but more times per day.
Grooming this breed is not very hard, but it requires grooming and taking care of the long coat. Besides a couple of baths, every year and regular everyday grooming will make your dog hair look amazing! Afghan hound is not dog with a lot of requirements.
1. Feeding the Puppy - Don’t over feed the puppy as they are inclined to become obese. Feed a high quality protein rich puppy for medium breeds. Feed in 3-4 smaller meals per day. As he grows be aware of bloat possibilities.
2. Feeding the adult dog - The risk of bloat is even greater in the adult and so is the risk of obesity. Don’t feed large meals and don’t feed before or after strenuous exercise. Feed in 2 smaller meals per day.
4. Games and Exercises – Energetic and needs serious exercise. She loves to swim, retrieve, hike, hunt, and catch frisbees. Likes search and rescue and guard dog work.