Afghan Retriever Dog Breed Pictures, Characteristics, and Facts – DogTime

The Afghan Retriever is a unique, playful mixed breed rising in popularity. A mix between the elegant Afghan Hound and the goofy and good-natured Golden Retriever, this ‘designer dog’ is sure to keep winning hearts for years to come. With that said, it’s important to keep in mind just how high-energy this playful mix can be.
The Afghan Retriever’s parent breeds are both beloved for many reasons. The Golden Retriever in particular is prized as a family companion. This pup has risen to the 3rd most popular dog breed in the United States. However, both breeds are still high-energy and need stimulation.
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The Afghan Retriever’s status as a crossbreed means that they’re unlikely to be found up for adoption. Still, there are millions of dogs waiting for homes in shelters. When looking for a specific breed, make an effort to adopt from a shelter or rescue. However, it’s important to keep in mind how uncommon this breed mix is. They might not be recognized by shelters and may simply be listed as a retriever mix.
Read on for a detailed list of characteristics of the Afghan Retriever.
(Photo Credit Left to Right: Unknown/Getty, Hans Surfer/Getty)
Contrary to popular belief, small size doesn’t necessarily an apartment dog make. Plenty of small dogs are too high-energy and yappy for life in a high-rise. Being quiet, low energy, fairly calm indoors, and polite with the other residents are all good qualities in an apartment dog. And you can find an awesome crate for your dog here to give them a little more personal space in your apartment.
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Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. They’re also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies.
Dogs who are highly sensitive, independent thinking, or assertive may be harder for a first-time dog parent to manage. You’ll get your best match if you take your dog-owning experience into account as you choose your new pooch.
If you’re new to dog parenting, take a look at 101 Dog Tricks and read up on how to train your dog!
Some dogs will let a stern reprimand roll off their backs, while others take even a dirty look to heart. Low-sensitivity dogs, also called “easygoing,” “tolerant,” “resilient,” and even “thick-skinned,” can better handle a noisy, chaotic household, a louder or more assertive owner, and an inconsistent or variable routine. Do you have young kids, throw lots of dinner parties, play in a garage band, or lead a hectic life? Go with a low-sensitivity dog.
Some breeds bond very closely with their family and are more prone to worry or even panic when left alone by their owner. An anxious dog can be very destructive–barking, whining, chewing, and otherwise causing mayhem. These breeds do best when a family member is home during the day or if you can take the dog to work.
Breeds with very short coats and little or no undercoat or body fat, such as Greyhounds, are vulnerable to the cold. Dogs with a low cold tolerance need to live inside in cool climates and should have a jacket or sweater for chilly walks. You can find a great jacket for your dog here!
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Dogs with thick, double coats are more vulnerable to overheating. So are breeds with short noses, like Bulldogs or Pugs, since they can’t pant as well to cool themselves off. If you want a heat-sensitive breed, your dog will need to stay indoors with you on warm or humid days, and you’ll need to be extra cautious about exercising your dog in the heat.
Some breeds are independent and aloof, even if they’ve been raised by the same person since puppyhood; others bond closely to one person and are indifferent to everyone else; and some shower the whole family with affection. Breed isn’t the only factor that goes into affection levels; dogs who were raised inside a home with people around feel more comfortable with humans and bond more easily.
See Dogs Less Affectionate with Family
Being gentle with children, sturdy enough to handle the heavy-handed pets and hugs they can dish out, and having a blasé attitude toward running, screaming children are all traits that make a kid-friendly dog. You may be surprised by who’s on that list: Fierce-looking Boxers are considered good with children, as are American Staffordshire Terriers (which are considered Pit Bulls). Small, delicate, and potentially snappy dogs such as Chihuahuas aren’t always so family-friendly.
**All dogs are individuals. Our ratings are generalizations, and they’re not a guarantee of how any breed or individual dog will behave. Dogs from any breed can be good with children based on their past experiences, training on how to get along with kids, and personality. No matter what the breed or breed type, all dogs have strong jaws, sharp pointy teeth, and may bite in stressful circumstances. Young children and dogs of any breed should always be supervised by an adult and never left alone together, period.
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Friendliness toward dogs and friendliness toward humans are two completely different things. Some dogs may attack or try to dominate other dogs, even if they’re love-bugs with people; others would rather play than fight; and some will turn tail and run. Breed isn’t the only factor. Dogs who lived with their littermates and mother until at least six to eight weeks of age and who spent lots of time playing with other dogs during puppyhood, are more likely to have good canine social skills.
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Stranger-friendly dogs will greet guests with wagging tails and nuzzles; others are shy, indifferent, or even aggressive. However, no matter what the breed, a dog who was socialized and exposed to lots of different types, ages, sizes, and shapes of people as a puppy will respond better to strangers as an adult. Remember that even friendly dogs should stay on a good, strong leash like this one in public!
If you’re going to share your home with a dog, you’ll need to deal with some level of dog hair on your clothes and in your house. However, shedding does vary greatly among the breeds. Some dogs shed year-round, some “blow” seasonally, some do both, and some shed hardly at all. If you’re a neatnik, you’ll need to either pick a low-shedding breed or relax your standards. To help keep your home a little cleaner, you can find a great de-shedding tool here!
Drool-prone dogs may drape ropes of slobber on your arm and leave big, wet spots on your clothes when they come over to say hello. If you’ve got a laid-back attitude toward slobber, fine; but if you’re a neatnik, you may want to choose a dog who rates low in the drool department.
Some breeds are brush-and-go dogs; others require regular bathing, clipping, and other grooming just to stay clean and healthy. Consider whether you have the time and patience for a dog who needs a lot of grooming, or the money to pay someone else to do it.
Due to poor breeding practices, some breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, such as hip dysplasia. This doesn’t mean that every dog of that breed will develop those diseases; it just means that they’re at an increased risk.
If you’re adopting a puppy, it’s a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed you’re interested in. You may also want to ask if your shelter or rescue has information about the physical health of your potential pup’s parents and other relatives.
Some breeds have hearty appetites and tend to put on weight easily. As in humans, being overweight can cause health problems in dogs. If you pick a breed that’s prone to packing on pounds, you’ll need to limit treats, make sure they get enough exercise, and measure out their daily food servings into regular meals rather than leaving food out all the time.
Ask your vet about your dog’s diet and what they recommend for feeding your pooch to keep them at a healthy weight. Weight gain can lead to other health issues or worsen problems like arthritis.
Dogs come in all sizes, from the world’s smallest pooch, the Chihuahua, to the towering Great Dane, how much space a dog takes up is a key factor in deciding if they’re compatible with you and your living space. Large dog breeds might seem overpowering and intimidating, but some of them are incredibly sweet! Take a look and find the right sized dog for you!
Easy-to-train dogs are more adept at forming an association between a prompt (such as the word “sit”), an action (sitting), and a consequence (getting a treat) very quickly. Other dogs need more time, patience, and repetition during training.
Many breeds are intelligent but approach training with a “What’s in it for me?” attitude, in which case you’ll need to use rewards and games to teach them to want to comply with your requests.
Dogs who were bred for jobs that require decision making, intelligence, and concentration, such as herding livestock, need to exercise their brains, just as dogs who were bred to run all day need to exercise their bodies. If they don’t get the mental stimulation they need, they’ll make their own work–usually with projects you won’t like, such as digging and chewing. Obedience training and interactive dog toys are good ways to give a dog a brain workout, as are dog sports and careers, such as agility and search and rescue.

Dogs who were bred to hunt, such as Terriers, have an inborn desire to chase–and sometimes kill–other animals. Anything whizzing by, such as cats, squirrels, and perhaps even cars, can trigger that instinct. Dogs who like to chase need to be leashed or kept in a fenced area when outdoors, and you’ll need a high, secure fence in your yard. These breeds generally aren’t a good fit for homes with smaller pets that can look like prey, such as cats, hamsters, or small dogs. Breeds that were originally used for bird hunting, on the other hand, generally won’t chase, but you’ll probably have a hard time getting their attention when there are birds flying by.
Some breeds sound off more often than others. When choosing a breed, think about how often the dog vocalizes with barks or howls. If you’re considering a hound, would you find their trademark howls musical or maddening? If you’re considering a watchdog, will a city full of suspicious “strangers” put your pup on permanent alert? Will the local wildlife literally drive your dog wild? Do you live in housing with noise restrictions? Do you have neighbors nearby? Then you may wish to choose a quieter dog.
Some breeds are more free-spirited than others. Nordic dogs such as Siberian Huskies were bred to range long distances, and given the chance, they’ll take off after anything that catches their interest. And many hounds simply must follow their noses–or that bunny that just ran across the path–even if it means leaving you behind.
High-energy dogs are always ready and waiting for action. Originally bred to perform a canine job of some sort, such as retrieving game for hunters or herding livestock, they have the stamina to put in a full workday. They need a significant amount of exercise and mental stimulation, and they’re more likely to spend time jumping, playing, and investigating any new sights and smells.
Low-energy dogs are the canine equivalent of a couch potato, content to doze the day away. When picking a breed, consider your own activity level and lifestyle, and think about whether you’ll find a frisky, energetic dog invigorating or annoying.
A vigorous dog may or may not have high energy, but everything they do, they do with vigor: they strain on the leash (until you train them not to), try to plow through obstacles, and even eats and drinks with great big gulps. These dynamos need lots of training to learn good manners, and may not be the best fit for a home with young kids or someone who’s elderly or frail. A low-vigor dog, on the other hand, has a more subdued approach to life.
Some breeds do fine with a slow evening stroll around the block. Others need daily, vigorous exercise, especially those that were originally bred for physically demanding jobs, like herding or hunting.
Without enough exercise, these breeds may put on weight and vent their pent-up energy in ways you don’t like, such as barking, chewing, and digging. Breeds that need a lot of exercise are good for outdoorsy, active people, or those interested in training their dog to compete in a high-energy dog sport, such as agility.
Some dogs are perpetual puppies — always begging for a game — while others are more serious and sedate. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog.
As the Afghan Retriever is a mixed breed, they don’t have history as their own breed. Both parent breeds, however, are well known and loved. The Afghan Hound is a large sighthound originating from Afghanistan. Once used to hunt speedy prey like rabbits and gazelle, today they are more likely to burn their energy off in a sporting event like agility. The Golden Retriever originated as a duck retrieving breed in the 1800s, though usage for hunting was not uncommon. Due to their easy going temperament and high trainability, today they are often used as therapy dogs or seeing eye dogs.
The Afghan Retriever is a large dog that comes in a variety of colors contributed by both parent breeds. This breed favors the appearance of the Golden Retriever, often looking very similar only with the slighter build of the Afghan Hound. They tend to come in variations of cream, gold, and yellow. The breed’s coat can favor either parent but is guaranteed to be thick and need routine grooming.
The Afghan Retriever’s intelligence, largely contributed by the Golden Retriever, lends to easy trainability. However, ensuring good behavior comes along with the need to properly exercise and stimulate this dog. The Afghan Retriever does best with a walk or hike of at least 40 minutes daily along with other exercise opportunities. They also often enjoy canine company and have fun playing at a dog park or having a pup playdate. 
Afghan Retrievers are often good natured and loving with their families. With that in mind, it’s still a good idea to work on socialization from a young age. In some cases, Afghan Retrievers may struggle from separation anxiety due to close bonds with their dog parents.
While Afghan Retrievers originating from responsible breeders are often healthy, there are some genetic predispositions towards health issues to be aware of with this crossbreed. 
The Afghan Retriever is happiest when given focused tasks daily, like scentwork, to channel their energy into. They also often enjoy the company of another canine companion when properly introduced. Walks shouldn’t be missed, as this breed can be destructive or develop anxious tendencies with a lack of exercise. Additionally, enrollment in canine sports like agility can keep the Afghan Retriever happy and well-mannered. They can excel at a variety of tasks, from herding to scentwork. This may seem daunting for a typical dog parent, but some of these “dog jobs” can be set up in the average backyard.
The Afghan Retriever should be fed a diet consistent with that of a large breed with high energy levels. These pups can be prone to bloat, so consider using a slow feeder or snuffle mat for this breed. Because all dogs are unique in their diet requirements, it’s best to consult your veterinarian to determine the best food to feed your pup.
The Afghan Retriever’s coat needs regular maintenance. Brushing should be done several times a week. Bathing is to be done on an as-needed basis, rarely more than once a month. For dog parents who are too busy for regular grooming, consideration should be given to routine dog grooming visits. If seeking out a new puppy, it’s a good idea to get your new friend used to a dog toothbrush at a young age, as dental issues are common in older dogs. As with all dog breeds, be sure to check on nail maintenance.
There are some factors to consider before adding the Afghan Retriever to your family. The breed is often good with older children. Their playful natures and easygoing temperament makes them a great fit for most kids. However, they are large and can be hyper, meaning that kids under the age of five run the risk of being bowled over accidentally. They are not prone to nippiness, so small children may be compatible when properly supervised. There may be tendencies to chase small animals, but typically this can be trained away with redirection and socialization. Never leave your pup unattended or let them play with a small pet such as a hamster, as they may injure them without intending to.
There are no breed-specific rescues for the Afghan Retriever, as they are a mixed breed. However, you can often find similar mixes up for adoption. Breed-specific rescues for the Afghan Hound or Golden Retriever often rehome mixed breeds, so one of these may be a great option. Consider rescuing a similar fit if you are unable to find an Afghan Retriever. There is an abundance of Golden Retriever mixes seeking homes, as they are the third most popular breed in the US. Whatever the circumstances, try opening your home to a rescue pup.

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