The Afghan Hound's Ancient Afghan Roots: A Cultural Canine Legacy

The Afghan Hound is a dog breed that, as its name suggests, originates from Afghanistan. The breed is distinguished by its thick, fine, silky coat and curled tail. Admired for their beauty, Afghan Hounds were historically used for hunting and guarding livestock. They are now popular show dogs and pets, recognised by major kennel clubs worldwide.

The Kuchi Dog, or Afghan Shepherd, is a working dog that protects livestock

The Kuchi dog is a large breed, with a height reaching from 27 to 32 inches (69 to 81 cm) for females, and 28 to 35 inches (71 to 89 cm) or more for males. The weight of a Kuchi dog ranges from 84 to 120 pounds (38 to 54 kg) for females, and 88 to 176 pounds (40 to 80 kg) or more for males. The Kuchi dog has a rich gene pool and adapts well to different environments, making it challenging for an unaccustomed observer to identify a "true" Kuchi dog. The breed has a diverse phenotype, with variations in coat length, head shape, and body mass. The Kuchi dog is often characterised by a thick undercoat, a straight backline, a long and thick neck, and a muscular muzzle.

The Kuchi dog can be classified into three main types: the mountain-type, the steppe-type, and the desert-type. The mountain-type Kuchi dog is large-boned and heavily coated, suited for the mountainous regions of the Pamir range. The steppe-type Kuchi dog has a lighter build with medium to long hair and is faster and more agile than the mountain-type. The desert-type Kuchi dog is found in desert flatlands and has a short to medium-length coat with a thick undercoat during the cold season.

The Kuchi dog is known for its vigilance, toughness, intelligence, and trustworthiness. While they can be friendly and affectionate, they are also prone to aggression towards strangers and other dogs due to their strong territorial instincts. The Kuchi dog's independence and protective nature make them well-suited to the nomadic lifestyle and guarding duties, but also present challenges for those living in a Western or urban environment.

The Afghan Hound is a breed native to the cold mountains of Afghanistan

The Afghan Hound has been identified as a basal breed that predates the emergence of modern breeds in the 19th century. It is most closely related to the Saluki. Connections with other types and breeds from the same area may provide clues to its history. A name for a desert coursing Afghan Hound, Tazi (Sag-e-Tazi), suggests a shared ancestry with the very similar Tazy breed from the Caspian Sea area of Russia and Turkmenistan. Other types or breeds of similar appearance are the Taigan, from the mountainous Tian Shan region on the Chinese border of Afghanistan, and the Barakzay, or Kurram Valley Hound.

Once out of Afghanistan, the history of the Afghan Hound breed became entwined with that of the very earliest dog shows. Various sighthounds were brought to England in the 1800s by army officers returning from British India and exhibited at dog shows, which were then becoming popular, under various names, such as Barukzy hounds. They were also called "Persian Greyhounds" by the English, in reference to their own indigenous sighthound.

The Afghan Hound is tall, standing at a height of 61–74 cm (24–29 in) and weighing 20–27 kg (44–60 lb). The coat may be any colour, but white markings, particularly on the head, are discouraged; many individuals have a black facial mask. A specimen may have a beard on the lower jaw, known as a "mandarin". Some Afghan Hounds are almost white, but parti-colour hounds (white with islands of red or black) are penalised in the AKC standard.

The temperament of the typical Afghan Hound can be aloof and dignified, but happy and clownish when playing. This breed, as tends to be the case with sighthounds, has a high prey drive and may kill small animals and livestock. Genomic studies have pointed to the Afghan Hound as one of the oldest of dog breeds.

The Taliban's stance on animal welfare

On one hand, the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law considers dogs impure and unclean, often leading to a negative stance on dog ownership. There have been reports of the Taliban killing dogs, castrating them, and even hanging a dog belonging to a female Afghan MP. The Taliban banned dog ownership during their previous rule in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, and there are concerns that they will do so again. This has led to a perception that the Taliban practices "animal racism," or discrimination against certain species or breeds.

On the other hand, there is evidence to suggest that the Taliban does allow pet ownership in some cases. For example, they requested the British animal charity Mayhew to resume its operations in Kabul, and they have worked with animal rescue organizations like Nowzad and Kabul Small Animal Rescue to facilitate the evacuation of animals from Afghanistan. Additionally, some reports indicate that Taliban members keep pets themselves, although any displays of affection or luxury are generally frowned upon.

The Taliban has also taken steps to suppress certain forms of animal cruelty, such as dogfighting, buzkashi (a sport involving horsemen clashing over a headless goat carcass), cockfighting, finch-fighting, and keeping birds in cages. These practices were prohibited during their previous rule and have been firmly suppressed since they regained control of Afghanistan.

Overall, while the Taliban's stance on animal welfare is not entirely clear, their actions suggest a complex mix of tolerance and cruelty. The well-being of animals does not appear to be a high priority for the group, and their policies and actions often seem to be influenced by their interpretation of Islamic law and cultural traditions.

In conclusion, while the Taliban has taken some positive steps towards animal welfare, their overall stance remains ambiguous and inconsistent. The treatment of animals does not appear to be a central concern for the group, and their actions are often at odds with each other, making it difficult to determine their true stance on this issue.

Kabul Small Animal Rescue and its work

Kabul Small Animal Rescue (KSAR) is a veterinary clinic and animal shelter in Afghanistan. It provides routine care for owned animals and medical care and shelter to injured and orphaned street animals. It also facilitates adoptions for homeless pets both in Afghanistan and abroad. The majority of the animals KSAR treats are dogs and cats, but the organisation has also treated and provided sanctuary for livestock, birds, rabbits, and tortoises.

KSAR was founded by Charlotte Maxwell-Jones, an American who has been living in Kabul since 2015. She first arrived in 2010 to conduct fieldwork for a PhD in classical art and archaeology from the University of Michigan. She fell in love with the country and its people, and in 2018, she founded KSAR, which was formalised in 2019. The organisation operates with funds from individual donors and has grown to 15 clinics and a staff of 85.

Since the Taliban came to power, the challenges for KSAR have grown dramatically. Maxwell-Jones has had to switch to an all-male staff, and navigating the new laws has been challenging. When the Taliban took over, KSAR was told that it could not have female staff, and the organisation continued to pay female staffers' salaries until many of them left the country. Despite the hardships, Maxwell-Jones has tried to keep KSAR focused on its core mission. She has been sending dogs and cats back to the U.S. with the help of the Dubai-based organisation Pawsome Pets, which assists rescue groups with relocating abandoned animals.

In November 2022, KSAR took in Chase, a bomb-sniffing dog who had been left behind in Afghanistan when his handler, Kristen St. Pierre, a female platoon commander for the Georgia Army National Guard, completed her tour in 2019. After the fall of Afghanistan, Chase was sent to kennels, but Maxwell-Jones found him and has been working to reunite him with St. Pierre. They have been able to piece together Chase's history and set up a fundraiser to bring him home.

The history of the Afghan Hound breed and its popularity in dog shows

The Afghan Hound is a majestic dog breed known for its long, silky coat. With a history dating back thousands of years, the Afghan Hound is considered one of the oldest dog breeds. The breed originated in the cold mountains of Afghanistan, where they were bred by the Bedouin people to hunt gazelle and other small game. Afghan Hounds were also used as war dogs by the Afghan army and were often depicted in historical art and literature.

The Afghan Hound is a medium-large breed, standing between 24 and 29 inches tall and weighing between 44 and 60 pounds. They are known for their independence, intelligence, and loyalty, with a regal and dignified appearance. The breed is distinguished by its thick, fine, silky coat and a tail with a ring curl at the end. The long topknot and shorter-haired saddle on the back are distinctive features of the Afghan Hound coat.

The history of the Afghan Hound is closely tied to the early dog shows in the UK. In the 1800s, various sighthounds, including the Afghan Hound, were brought to England by army officers returning from British India. One dog in particular, Zardin, was brought from India in 1907 and became the basis for the first breed standard in 1912. However, World War I halted breeding efforts, and the line was lost.

In the 1920s, British military officers resumed bringing Afghan Hounds to the West, and the breed was registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1927. The Afghan Hound became popular in the US in the 1930s and gained popularity as a show dog in the 1980s. The breed is recognised by all major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world and has won numerous awards at prestigious dog shows, including Best in Show at Crufts and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Today, the Afghan Hound is no longer used for hunting but remains a popular breed in dog shows and other competitions, such as lure coursing. The breed is known for its striking appearance, intelligence, and independent nature, making it a favourite among dog enthusiasts.

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