AKC Standards

The American Kennel Club Afghan Hound Standard Comparison

Afghan Hound attribute	Original American Standard 1926-1947	Current AKC Standard 1948-present
HEAD	Narrow, conforming to that of a greyhound but more powerful; skull oval, with prominent occipital; jaws long and punishing; mouth level, not overshot nor undershot; little or no stop.	Head is of good length showing much refinement, the skull evenly balanced with the foreface; a slight prominence of the nasal bone structure causing a slightly Roman appearance; the center line running up over the foreface with little or no stop, falling away in front of the eyes so there is an absolutely clear outlook with no interference; the underjaw showing great strength, jaws long and punishing; mouth level meaning evenly matched upper and lower jaw teeth; not overshot or undershot; nose good size, black; The head is surmounted by a topknot of long silky hair.
NECK	Long, strong, arched and running in a curve to the shoulder, which should be long and sloping and well laid back.	Good length, strong and arched, running in a curve to the shoulders which are long and sloping and well laid back.
BODY	Strong powerful loin, slightly arched, falling away towards the stern, well ribbed and tucked up under loin; ample length of a hound.	Backline level from the shoulders to the loin, strong powerful loin slightly arched, falling away towards stern, hip bones very pronounced; well ribbed and tucked up under flanks; height at shoulders equals distance from chest to buttocks.
BRISKET	Deep and not to narrow.	Well let down and of medium width.
LEGS	Forelegs straight and strong, great length between elbow and ankle, elbows well tucked in; large forefeet both in length and breadth, toes well arched, feet covered with long thick hair, fine in texture; pasterns long and pads well down on ground.	Forelegs straight and strong, great length between elbow and pasterns; elbows well held in; forefeet large in both length and width; toes well arched; feet covered with long thick hair, fine in texture; pasterns long and straight; pads of feet unusually large and well down on the ground; shoulders have plenty of angulation so that the legs are set well underneath the dog; all four feet are in line with the dogs body turning neither in or out; toes arched; hind quarters powerful and well muscled with great length between hip and hock; hocks well let down, with good angulation; slightly bowed from hock to crotch.
TAIL	Tail set not to high on body, similar to greyhound, having a curve at the end, no bushy tail.	Tail set not to high on body, having a ring or curve on the end, should never be curled over or rest on back or be carried sideways, never a bushy tail.
COAT	Hindquarters, flanks, ribs and forequarters well covered with silky, thick hair, very fine in texture; ears and all four feet well feathered; head surmounted with topknot of long silky hair.	Hindquarters, flanks, ribs, forequarters and legs well covered with silky, thick hair, very fine in texture; ears and all four feet well feathered; from in front of the shoulders and also backwards from the shoulders along the saddle from the flanks and ribs upwards, the hair is short and close forming a smooth back in mature hounds; Afghan Hound should be shown in its natural state, the coat is not clipped or trimmed; head surmounted with topknot of long silky hair; showing of short hair on cuffs on either front or back legs is permissible.
HEIGHT	Dogs about 27 inches, bitches 25 inches.	Dogs 27 inches, plus or minus one inch, bitches 25 inches, plus or minus one inch.
WEIGHT	About 60 pounds.	Dogs about 60 pounds, bitches about 50 pounds.
COLOR	No standard in place.	All colors are permissible but color or color combinations are pleasing; white markings especially in the head are undesirable.
GAIT	No standard in place.	The Afghan Hound moves at a gallop when running free, showing great elasticity and spring in his smooth powerful stride.
TEMPERAMENT	No standard in place.	Aloof and dignified, yet gay.
EARS	Ears long.	Long, set approximately on level with outer corners of eyes, the leather of the ear reaching nearly to the end of the dogs nose and covered with long silky hair.
EYES	Eyes dark.	Eyes dark and almond shaped, (almost triangular), never full or bulgy.
GENERAL APPEARANCE	Strong, alert and active; looking a combination of speed and power, with a graceful outline.	Dignity and aloofness with no trace of plainness or coarseness; a straight front proudly carried head, eyes gazing into the distance, exotic or Eastern expression; long silky topknot; peculiar coat pattern; very prominent hip bones, large feet and the impression of a somewhat exaggerated bend in strife due to profuse trouserings-stand out clearly.

THE AFGHAN HOUND: KING OF DOGS