Afghan Chon

As with other hybrid breeds, the history of the Afghan Chon is unknown, simply because he is new on the scene. The Afghan Chon originated from the parent breeds the Afghan Hound and the Bichon Frise. Its original and current purpose is to serve as a loyal companion pet with spunk. It is commonly believed that the Bichon Frise originated from a woolly water dog known as the Barbet and its name was derived from the word barbichon. The Bichon Frise originated in the Mediterranean, along with the rest of the Barbichon family: the Maltese, the Havanese, the Bolognese, and the Coton de Tulear. There is conflicting information as to when the Bichon Frise originated. One account reports that in the 14th century, French sailors brought the Bichon Frise home from the Canary Islands. While the exact location is unknown, the Bichon Frise is said to have initially been used for trading. The other account reports that the Spanish brought the Bichon Frise to the Canary Islands and then Italian sailors returned them. The Bichon Frise was popular with royalty and was considered a symbol of nobility. After World War I, interest in the Bichon Frise increased and the French helped to preserve the breed. In 1956, the Bichon Frise was first brought to the United States. In 1973, the breed was officially recognized by the AKC. The Afghan Hound came from Afghanistan and is considered to be an ancient breed that dates back thousands of years. In 1925, the breed was transported to England, where it was then imported to the United States. In the 1970s, the Afghan Hound became the center of attention when Barbie graced America with her Afghan Hound. In the 1980s, the Afghan Hound became an AKC staple in the show ring and excelled in obedience obstacles.