Afador

50-65 lbs

24-27"

Alaska

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Afghan Hound

Labrador Retriever

The Afador is a hybrid dog composed of an Afghan Hound and a Labrador Retriever that originated in Alaska around the year 2000. It is still a rare dog breed and the breeders are working on stabilizing the breed’s personality and appearance. The body shape looks most like the Labrador Retriever while the head resembles the Afghan Hound. They are a medium size dog with long, fine hair and short, silky hair on the face. The Afador has the good traits of both breeds and they are patient, affectionate, loyal, dignified, and courageous. Because they are hybrids, they are unable to join the American Kennel Club roster of purebreds.

Purpose
Sporting


Date of Origin
2000


Ancestry
Afghan Hound, Labrador Retriever

Afador Health

Average Size

Height: 27-29 inches Weight: 55-70 lbs

Height: 24-27 inches Weight: 50-65 lbs

Major Concerns

Elbow Dysplasia
Retinal Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia
Subaortic Stenosis
Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat

Minor Concerns

Entropion
Cataracts
Fanconi Syndrome
Hemophilia

Occasional Diagnoses

Diabetes

Occasional Tests

X-Rays
Eye Examination
Blood Analysis
Complete Physical Examination
Cardiac Test

Afador Breed History

First bred in Alaska, the Afador is a perfect balance between the Labrador Retriever and the Afghan Hound. Although it is still a rare breed, the Afador has become quite popular in the last decade. With the intelligence and energy from the Labrador and the beauty and grace of the Afghan, they can be a great pet for anyone. When the breed first originated, the Afador was always a mix of Labrador Retriever and Afghan Hound, but now there are many breeders who have begun to use second generation Afadors to breed new Afadors. Due to this multibreed mixing, there is no guarantee of which attributes these Afador puppies will have. It depends on the amount of each original breed that was in the first generation and which genetics are the most dominant. Breeders are now trying to stabilize the Afador breed by determining what amounts of each type of dog are most desired. The Afghan Hound originated in Afghanistan and is considered to be one of the oldest dog breeds there are, believed to have been around during the pre-Christian era. The Labrador Retriever is intelligent, lovable, and playful. This breed is one of the most popular guide dogs and working dogs because they are smart and friendly. The Afador is usually a strong and confident retrieving dog that likes to work but also has a playful and protective nature as well. They make great watchdogs at home but also like to venture outdoors often and may want to retrieve random small animals even when you do not request it. Because they are a mixed breed, they are not a true purebred dog so they are not registered with the AKC. However, they are considered to be part of the hounding and sporting groups.

Afador Breed Appearance

The Afador is a medium-sized dog with a slender build, long legs, and athletic appearance. They are strong, with a large, round head; long, tapered muzzle; brown or black nose; dark, almond shaped eyes; curious expression; and dropped folded ears. However, these traits can vary depending on the mix of Afghan Hound and Labrador Retriever. Their coat is medium to long in length, long, silky, and straight. The Afador can come in just about any color, including white, gray, red, brown, black, tan, and mixtures of any of these. Most have a coat of fine, dark fur on their face like a mask. They weigh between 60 and 75 pounds and are approximately 25 to 30 inches tall, with the males a bit larger than the females. The Afador is a solid and thicker dog than their Afghan Hound parent but leaner and more elegant than the Labrador Retriever although, if it is a second generation Afador, the physical characteristics can be completely different.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Brown

Coat Color Possibilities

Fawn

Red

Brown

Gray

Black

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Afador Breed Maintenance

Because of the Afador’s long, fine coat, a lot of maintenance is needed to prevent matting and tangles. The Afghan Hound is known to be almost hypoallergenic but the Labrador Retriever is a moderate shedder, so the Afador is likely to shed. They should be brushed at least twice a week with a metal comb and bristle brush. The best way to brush your Afador is to comb one handful at a time starting at the bottom to keep it free of tangles. Shampooing your Afador may be needed more often than other dogs due to their long fur and affinity for playing outdoors. Use a mild shampoo recommended by your veterinary care provider. The ears should be checked and cleaned once a week to get rid of excess wax and debris. They should be fed about two to three cups of premium dog food per day, depending on your Afador’s size and age. Because Afghan Hounds are prone to bloat, you should talk to your veterinarian about feeding your Afador smaller meals several times a day.

Brushes for Afador

Pin Brush

Comb

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Afador Temperament

One of the major complaints of Afador owners has been the difficulty in training them. They need structure and consistent positive discipline. Because they are so intelligent and headstrong, they tend to think they do not need to listen to you so be prepared to stick to what you say. If you are not an experienced dog owner, you may want to hire a professional trainer to help you get your dog in line. These dogs are good with older children due to their impulsiveness when playing and high-spirited playfulness. Smaller children can get knocked down or stepped on so it is best to supervise your Afador with those under five years old. They get along with other pets if they have been socialized well right away. If you have small pets like cats or puppies, you need to let your Afador know they are not prey. They are not well-suited for apartment living because they are so excitable and like to bark but they can adapt well if given the appropriate amount of exercise daily.

Afador Activity Requirements

The Labrador Retriever and the Afghan Hound are medium sized dogs that do require at least 45 minutes a day of exercise. Both breeds can easily become couch potatoes and obese, therefore, when the two breeds are mixed, their offspring can also easily become obese and lazy. Ensure that your dog is getting plenty of exercise to build muscle tone and keep his body healthy. Do not just leave him in the back yard to play by himself, he will not do so and may even become destructive. By getting out there with your dog and playing games or simply taking a walk around the neighborhood you are building a bond with your dog that will last a lifetime.

Activity Level

Low
Medium
High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
9 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
45 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Afador

Similarly Sized Breeds to Afador

Afador Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2.5 cups
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00

Afador Height & Weight

6 Months

Height: 21.0 inches
Weight: 30.0 lbs

Height: 20.0 inches
Weight: 26.0 lbs
12 Months

Height: 26.0 inches
Weight: 55.0 lbs

Height: 24.0 inches
Weight: 50.0 lbs
18 Months

Height: 28.0 inches
Weight: 62.5 lbs

Height: 25.5 inches
Weight: 57.5 lbs

Afador Owner Experiences

Emma

12 Months

3 People

House

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Cuddling

Walks and runs

My adopted my first Afador this past week. Upon first meeting her she was really shy and timid. Once feeding her treats she’s really come out of her shell. She’s starting to learn commands. And she’s just the sweetest doggy ever. She loves to cuddle and give kisses.

2 years, 9 months ago

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