Afghan Sheepdog Dog Breed

Pronunciation: [ ˈAf-ˌgan shēp-ˌdȯg ]

The Afghan Sheepdog is a recently developed mixed breed that comes from mating an Afghan Hound with a Belgian Sheepdog. While these two dogs may seem very different other than being huge dogs, they hybrid dogs they produce are remarkably attractive and are apparently somewhat versatile. These dogs are not easy to find, and while some dog lovers might cal them mutts, they do tend to cost a lot to adopt and have very long waiting lists. It's impossible to predict how big an Afghan Sheepdog puppy may become in adult life.

Afghan Sheepdog Breed Details

The Afghan Sheepdog may be best described as a designer breed for people with huge homes and large amounts of very well-fenced yard space. They might also be said to have been bred to be herding dogs with a sporting background. They are not for first-time dog owners or even people who may have had dogs in the past. These are dogs best suited for people who have experience with at least one of the parent breeds. They are not good with kids, or as guide or therapy dogs, and they are definitely not meant to live in apartments, small homes, or hot climates. If you have an isolated house in a cold, mountainous region and flocks of sheep or similar herds, then this is perhaps the best environment for Afghan Sheepdogs.

Pros
Beautiful dogs
Loves lots of attention
Long distance runners
Great for large estates
Remarkably sharp vision
Very strong sense of smell
Will love extremely active humans
Cons
Very large dogs
Highly independent
Might be hard to train
Prone to separation anxiety
Need lots of outdoor space
Can jump fences and walls
High level of daily grooming
Require a great amount of exercise
May have unforeseen health problems
Type
Hybrid
Lifespan
11 - 13 yrs.
Height
22 - 29 in.
Weight
50 - 75 lbs
Friendliness
OverallFamily FriendlyChild FriendlyPet FriendlyStranger Friendly
Maintenance
Easy to GroomEnergy LevelExercise NeedsHealthShedding Amount
Behavior
Barks / HowlsEasy to TrainGuard DogPlayfulnessWatch Dog
Ownership
Apartment DogCan be AloneGood for Busy OwnersGood for New OwnersIntelligence

Afghan Sheepdog Breed Description

This massive, somewhat bizarre-looking but well-paired hybrid has practically the best of both worlds from the two parent breeds. Melding brains and brawn, these dogs are fine as they were intended: working hard in mountainous terrain. They can call forth their muscles when needed, and they don't waste energy until that time.

These Molosser-type dogs may not seem that intelligent when not working or if removed from a working environment. They are smart, however, and can prove it when put to the test. You may not see them in field trials, and not too often in dog shows, and rarely being walked in a city. This isn't because they lack intelligence, but because most homes and people lack the room and resources required.

They will be aloof to strangers, and they may seem somewhat uninterested in you as they are all about being quietly alert. When it comes to bedtime, or once they've been trained to know that a certain time or action means they can let their guard down a little and crawl into bed or on the couch, they'll get close to you!

While they don't move much when not working, the typical Afghan Sheepdog is nevertheless not lazy. As house pets, they do need to be prompted to exercise. When out in the field as bred and intended, they are as active as they need to be and at lightning speed.

Afghan Sheepdog Health

Since the Afghan Sheepdog is a somewhat new hybrid, and one produced from two large breeds, the health profile is difficult to understand. There is much to learn that only time will tell. Hybrid vigor may lessen some of the health problems, but others may appear over time. What is known is that there are certain ailments that tend to befall the giant breeds of dogs, and there are things that are known about the two parent pure breeds.

Here are some of the reported health issues of the Afghan Sheepdog:

  • Bloat
  • Pannus
  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma
  • Demodicosis
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Corneal dystrophy
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Afghan Sheepdogs are believed to have an average lifespan of about 11 to 13 years.

Afghan Sheepdog Health Concerns

Below are potential health concerns associated with Afghan Sheepdogs.

Bloat
Corneal dystrophy
Cataracts
Progressive retinal atrophy
Hypothyroidism
Glaucoma
Pannus
Demodicosis
Muscular dystrophy

About this Article

Authored by:Dog-Learn
Updated:February 11, 2019
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