FCI Standard for Afghan Hound

FCI Number: 229
FCI Group: Group 10: Sighthounds

Height:

• Males: 25.2-29.2 inches (64.0-74.0 cm) at the withers
• Females: 24.0-28.8 inches (61.0-73.0 cm) at the withers

Weight Range:

• Males: 50.7-59.5 pounds (23.0-27.0 kg)
• Females: 44.1-55.1 pounds (20.0-25.0 kg)

Head (Skull, Foreface, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Muzzle, Lips, Jaws, Teeth):

• Skull: Long, not excessively narrow, with a prominent occiput. Symmetrical with long decorative hair on top.
• Stop: Slight.
• Nose: Preferably black, but may be red or tan in light-colored dogs.
• Muzzle: Long, with a distinct jaw.
• Jaws/Teeth: Strong jaws, correct, complete, and neat scissors bite, with upper and lower jaws tightly fitting together forming a square. Level bite acceptable.
• Eyes: Preferably black, may also be golden. Nearly triangular, slightly slanting upward from inner to outer corner.
• Ears: Set low, naturally back, and close to the head when raised, covered with silky long hair.

Body (Neck, Chest, Ribs, Loins and Back, Forequarters, Skin):

• Neck: Long, strong, and carried high.
• Back: Flat, moderate length, and well-muscled.
• Loins: Straight, wide, and short.
• Croup: Slightly sloping, with a well-developed hipbone and wide spacing.
• Chest: Well-expanded ribs, deep.

Limbs (Forequarters, Shoulders, Upper Arms, Elbows, Pasterns, Hindquarters, Thighs, Hocks, Joints and Feet):

• Forequarters: Straight and well-boned. From the front, aligned with shoulders.
• Shoulders: Long, sloping, well-muscled, not heavy.
• Upper Arms: Long, sloping.
• Elbows: Positioned below the shoulders, vertically straight, not turning in or out.
• Pasterns: Long, elastic.
• Hindquarters: Powerful, with a long space between the croup and hocks, short between hocks and feet.
• Knees: Bent, naturally rotating.
• Feet: Strong, large, long and wide, arched toes covered with long hair. Pads naturally touch the ground.

Tail:

• Set not too high at the root, carried in a ring or curved at the end but not excessively curled or carried over the back, or too thick.

Gait/Movement:
Free and fast, demonstrating great elasticity and spring in powerful yet smooth strides. Unrestrained, the Afghan Hound runs at a remarkable speed, with hind feet landing directly in the forefeet tracks. The head and tail are held high, presenting a fashionable and beautiful appearance.

Disqualifications:

• Any deviation from the above points is considered a defect.
• Any dog displaying significant abnormalities in physique or behavior is disqualified.

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