Afador

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT
fast facts

About Afador

Weight
60-75 lb
Lifespan
10-12 years
Group
not applicable
Best Suited For
Families with older children, house-owners with fenced yards, those with time for daily exercise.
Temperament
Affectionate, excitable, energetic, cautious
Comparable Breeds
Labrador Retriever, Afghan Hound
Height
20-24 inches
ADVERTISEMENT

Afador Basics

A blend of noble Afghan Hound and gentle Labrador Retriever, the handsome Afador is a perfect pet for families with older children and those with previous experience as dog owners. In spite of his retriever lineage, this medium sized pooch has a spirited personality and can be a handful for a novice pet parent who may not be experienced at training a younger dog. His protective nature, wariness of strangers and resounding bark make him perfect for those who want an energetic family pet that brings watchdog benefits.

In spite of his retriever lineage, the Afador has a spirited personality and can be a handful for a novice pet parent.

Origin

ADVERTISEMENT

Afadors are relatively rare, originating in Alaska and bringing together one of the oldest dog breeds in history – the Afghan hound from Afghanistan – and the Labrador retriever from Canada. These days, Afador breeders are focused on stabilizing the breed from an appearance, intelligence and personality standpoint and tend to add more traits from the Labrador side of the family, to make him a better house dog.

Pedigree

Because of the mix of Afghan hound and Labrador retriever, the Afador is considered a hybrid or designer dog and is therefore restricted from joining the elite American Kennel Club roster of purebreds. That said, his parents are members in good standing; the Afghan joined the AKC’s “hound” group back in 1926 and is described as independent, sweet and silly. The Labrador retriever dates back to 1917, when he joined AKC’s “sporting” group and is currently touted as friendly, active and outgoing.

Food / Diet

The Afador is an active dog that will require a healthy diet of high-quality kibble and as a “medium” sized breed he will need to be fed between 1.5 to 2.5 cups daily. It’s always wise to do some research into the right mix of vitamins and minerals for your dog and because Afghan’s can suffer from bloat you will need to do your homework or consult your vet. Studies show that frequent small meals coupled with a food that does not have fat or oil (vegetable or animal) listed in the first four ingredients does seem to decrease the risk of gastro-intestinal issues as the fats slow stomach-emptying times compared to high-protein or high-carbohydrate diets.

The Afador is considered a hybrid or designer dog and is therefore restricted from joining the elite American Kennel Club roster of purebreds.

Training

The willful Afador can be a handful to train so best to start early with a particular focus on socialization to lessen his wariness of strangers. The breed is typically independent however is highly intelligent and when training is properly administered, he is known to listen to commands with few repetitions needed. For owners not seasoned at training a head-strong pooch, a professional dog trainer would be a good investment.

Weight

The Afador is considered a medium sized breed and when fully grown, he will weight 60-75 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

ADVERTISEMENT

Described as affectionate, independent, intelligent and loyal, the Afador is a greatly family pet who loves to play outdoors, but adapts well when spending time indoors. He loves kids but his high spirited nature means he does best with older kids who won’t get knocked about if he decides to jump up. He’s an alert and watchful dog who enjoys a good bark and to alert his human pack when strangers arrive. Because he comes from a hounding and sporting background, Afadors are known for their work in search and rescue, tracking, sledding, hunting, police work, narcotics detection, retrieving, herding and agility.

Common Health Problems

Afadors are relatively healthy dogs but because they are such a rare breed there is little history of specific ailments. As a result, it’s always important that when considering a hybrid dog, potential owners look to the dog’s lineage for clues to potential illnesses. Labrador Retrievers can suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia whereas Afghans can experience “bloat”, a digestive disorder of the stomach as well as acute sensitivity to any type of drug – a concern that is typical of sighthounds

Life Expectancy

The Afador has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. Their lifespan is somewhat shorter than average for breeds.

Exercise Requirements

.

The Afador loves kids but his high spirited nature means he does best with older kids who won’t get knocked about if he decides to jump up.

Recognized Clubs

While his hybrid-breed status means the Afador is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, he is a member of the Designer Breed Registry (DBR) and the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA)

Coat

The Afador’s coat will typically take on the longer, finer characteristic of the Afghan hound along with the breed’s classic longer ears. To keep his long, smooth coat looking sleek and healthy, regular grooming and baths will be required. Brushing his coat at least twice weekly will help avoid matting, tangles and dirt from accumulating and weekly ear-cleaning will prevent the build-up of wax and debris that can result in infection for floppy eared pooches.

Puppies

Afador pups are deemed highly intelligent from the go-get and early socialization training is encouraged. As a young pup his fuzzy appearance will require minimal grooming but as he grows (typically by nine months of age), his coat will take on the classic Afghan length and texture and will require regular maintenance.

Photo credit: Bitzu Bitzu/Flickr; otsphoto/Bigstock

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Best Outdoor Dog Fence

An outdoor dog fence keeps your pet safe and your flower beds safe from them. This is our selection of the 10 best outdoor dog fence designs on the market.

5 Things Know-It-Alls Said Would Kill My Dogs (But Proved To Be Wrong)

Everybody knows what''s best for your dogs. More than most, Kevin Roberts gets an earful of unsolicited opinions about how he raises his dogs.

14 Loveable Valentine’s Day Gifts for Dogs

It''s Valentine''s Day, and you don''t want to leave your best boy (or gal) out of the love! Here are our favorite Valentine''s Day gifts for your furry loves.

Easy-To-Understand Cartoon On How A Dog’s Nose Can “See” [Video]

Learning is fun, thanks to this cartoon that explains how a dog’s nose works We’ve all heard the old saying: “Dogs see with their noses.&rd…

Best Toys For Your Miniature Husky

The toys this breed plays with have to challenge their mind and be durable, so we''ve put together a list of the 10 Best toys for Miniature Huskies.

Miniature Boxer

While they are non-aggressive, the Miniature Boxer is devoted to their families and can prove to be an able guardian if they feel their pack is threatened.

PetGuide’s Best New Cat Product of 2018: Petronics Mousr

As a durable, entertaining toy that is designed to impress felines and their parents alike, The Petronics Mousr definitely deserved to win this award.

Australian King Parrot

The Australian King Parrot is a popular pet in its homeland, and its popularity has been steadily rising all over the world.

Stabyhoun

The Stabyhoun is a medium-sized dog with a long black-and-white coat. This typle of dog is one of the top five rarest breeds in the world (as of 2013).

Tropical Retreat From Kickstarter is The Lap of Luxury for Pets

Cabanas, tropical breezes, and beach babes - what a life! Parasol Pet Beds launches a Kickstarter campaign that''ll transport your pet to the lap of luxury.

Do Cats Prefer More Nutritious Foods?

The more nutritious the food, the more satisfied the cat! For a well fed and happy kitty, choose more nutritious meals at mealtime.

Boxador

The Boxador is a cross between a purebred Boxer and Labrador Retriever. A good choice if you are looking for a guard dog who will also make a family pet.

6 Jolly Ways Exercise Will Help You Survive The Holi-Dogs

Merry Skijormas! Kevin Roberts serves up a few bright tips on how to make the most of the holidays – especially when active dogs are part of your festi…

Cheese Whiz Dog Treat Recipe

When it comes to cheese, dogs just can''t get enough. Satisfy those cravings with the Cheese Whiz Dog Treat Recipe.

10 Essential Tips For Camping With Your Dog

Camping is a budget-friendly activity that lets you get back to nature. And you know who really loves nature? Your dog! Camping aficionado Vanessa Chiasson,…