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Nicole Cosgrove Nicole Cosgrove
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Afghan Retriever (Afghan Hound & Golden Retriever Mix)

Afghan Retriever (Afghan Hound & Golden Retriever Mix) Featured Image

Height: 22 – 27 inches
Weight: 50 – 70 pounds
Lifespan: 12 – 14 years
Colors: Cream, gold, white, black, brown, chocolate
Suitable for: Active families, house with a yard
Temperament: Energetic, playful, friendly, loving, smart, loyal

The Afghan Retriever’s parents should be apparent just based on the name of this dog. The Afghan Hound and the Golden Retriever make up the beautiful Afghan Retriever crossbreed. The Golden Retriever is absolutely one of the most popular family dogs and is devoted, smart, and super friendly, while the Afghan is loyal, dignified, and independent. The Afghan Retriever is a mix of both of its parents and has its own exceptional appearance and personality.

The Afghan Retriever is a large dog that tends to more closely resemble a smaller boned Golden Retriever. The nose and ears tend to be longer like the Afghan and has a thick and wavy coat that comes in various colors such as gold, cream, brown, white, and black.

Divider 1Afghan Retriever Puppies – Before You Buy…

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Afghan Retriever is a highly energetic dog that is quite healthy and has a long lifespan, particularly for a large dog. They are easy to train but might have a bit of an independent streak thanks to their Afghan Hound parent. The Afghan Retriever is an amiable dog that tends to get along with everyone she meets.

Afghan Retriever Price

While writing this article, we weren’t able to find any Afghan Retriever puppies for sale, but the range in price for Golden Retriever or Afghan Hound mixed puppies is anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500. If you decide to find an Afghan Retriever puppy through a breeder, you’ll definitely want to avoid puppy mills and take steps to ensure that the breeder is responsible and reputable.

Here are four steps you can take that will help you determine if you’re dealing with a reputable breeder:
  • Meet the breeder at their kennels: The majority of breeders have their kennels situated at their homes, so be sure to make an appointment as dropping in can be an inconvenience. Make sure to check out the kennels and the dogs. Is everything clean and looked after? Do the dogs appear healthy and happy? Do use video chat if you’re unable to visit the kennels personally.
  • Ask to meet the puppy’s parents: Having a look at your puppy’s parents will help you to see if they are in good health, and additionally, you can observe their temperament and appearance. This can also allow you to conceive how your puppy might turn out when she becomes an adult.
  • Ask for the dog’s medical background: When you ask to see the medical history of their dogs, a good breeder will provide you with the information unconditionally.
  • Arrive with questions: Be sure to have some questions ready to ask the breeder. Everything about their dogs and puppies and their history as a breeder. A responsible breeder will not have an issue with answering your questions as their primary interest is finding the best home for their puppies.

You need to be aware of some of the expenses of raising a puppy and taking care of a dog throughout her life.

Some of the day-to-day care of a puppy will include:
  • Grooming equipment (nail trimmers, toothbrush etc.)
  • Dog harness, leash, and collar
  • Dog crate and bedding
  • Dog/puppy food
  • Puppy training pads
  • Puppy treats for training
  • Chew and play toys for puppies
  • Food and water bowls

Other expenses that you’ll experience:
  • Microchipping
  • Vaccinations
  • Spaying or neutering surgery
  • Veterinarian appointments
  • Grooming appointments
  • Obedience and training classes

You could also think about finding an Afghan Retriever for adoption as you’ll be providing her with a new and happier home. The price of adoption might range from $300 to $600. However, if you decide to adopt a senior or special needs dog, many rescue groups will waive the adoption fee.

Divider 83 Little-Known Facts About the Afghan Retriever

1. The Afghan Retriever’s personality will be a mix between its parents.

The Golden Retriever is known for an easygoing and playful personality, and the Afghan Hound tends to be an aloof and dignified dog. The Afghan Retriever will be a mix of this and might be an independent and sometimes silly dog.

2. The Afghan Retriever will have hunting instincts.

The Afghan Hound is in the AKC’s Hound Group, and the Golden Retriever belongs in the Sporting Group. Both breeds were bred to assist hunters, and therefore, the Afghan Retriever should have the same instincts as her parents.

3. The Afghan Retriever is known to inherit large pads.

The Afghan Hound has large pads on her paws, which are meant to help protect her feet while moving over the Asian mountains’ rough terrain. The Afghan Retriever tends to inherit the same large pads, which will help protect her paws but will also need looking after.

parent breeds of the Afghan Retriever
Parent breeds of the Afghan Retriever | Left: Golden Retriever, Right: Afghan Hound (Source: Pxfuel)

Divider 3

Temperament & Intelligence of the Afghan Retriever

The Afghan Retriever is a combination of dignified and goofy thanks to the diverse personalities of her parents. Overall, this crossbreed is both goofy and sweet-natured as well as loyal and noble and can be the perfect companion.

Both the Afghan Hound and the Golden Retriever are intelligent dogs so expect the Afghan Retriever to have the same smarts as her parents. Depending on which parent she will take after most, she might be more easygoing like the Golden Retriever or stubborn and aloof like the Afghan Hound.

Are Afghan Retrievers Good for Families?

Expect the perfect family dog if you invite an Afghan Retriever into your household. The Golden Retriever is well known for her amazing abilities and trustworthiness with children, and the Afghan Retriever will have much of the same qualities. They are known for their silly and playful behavior and will make wonderful playmates for the children. However, just like with any dog, younger children must be supervised while spending time with the Afghan Retriever. You should teach your children to respect all dogs.

Do Afghan Retrievers Get Along with Other Pets?

Training and socializing the Afghan Retriever is vital to ensure that your dog will get along with your pets and other dogs. They are generally friendly and social dogs and are not aggressive. However, keep in mind that both parents are hunting dogs, and the Afghan Retriever might be prone to chasing smaller animals. If they are raised within the same household, they will get along very well with the smaller pets.

Divider 4Things to Know When Owning an Afghan Retriever:

Food & Diet Requirements

First, you should find a high-quality dry dog food that is meant for your dog’s current size, age, and activity level. Have a look at the instructions on the back of the food bag as it can help you figure out the amount and how often you should be feeding your dog every day. You should consider speaking to your vet if you’re ever concerned about your Afghan Retriever’s health or weight.

Exercise

Both the Golden Retriever and the Afghan Hound are very active dogs that require a great deal of exercise. The Afghan Retriever will also need a lot of exercise to help burn off her excess energy. Expect to spend an hour at a minimum every day walking and playing with your dog. This can include training her in obedience, agility, and sporting activities or just allow her to run in your fenced yard or at the dog park.

Training

Training your Afghan Retriever might be a challenge if she takes enough after her Afghan Hound parent. The Golden Retriever is intelligent and eager to please and generally easy to train, but while the Afghan Hound wants to please her owner, she is also independent, making her more challenging to train. Expect something in the middle with the Afghan Retriever. The training could be easy or difficult, depending on which one of her parents she takes after the most. Be sure to use positive reinforcement as your Afghan Retriever is a sensitive dog.

Grooming ✂️

The Afghan Hound usually needs regular grooming that includes brushing her several hours every week, and the Golden Retriever also requires brushing several times a week. Therefore, your Afghan Retriever will need brushing about every other day and more frequently during the shedding seasons of spring and fall. You should give her a bath only when absolutely necessary but no more than once a month using a good dog shampoo.

You should brush your Afghan Retriever’s teeth about 2 or 3 times a week, clean her ears around once a month (or as often as necessary), and trim her nails every 3 to 4 weeks.

Health and Conditions

The Afghan Retriever is not expected to have the same issues with her health as her purebred parents. However, it’s a good idea to make yourself familiar with some of these health conditions in case your dog does inherit some of these health problems.

Golden Retrieve Minor Conditions

Afghan Hound Minor Conditions

The veterinarian will check your Afghan Retriever’s eyes, tail, and skin and will run urinalysis and blood tests if hypothyroidism is suspected.

Golden Retriever Serious Conditions
Afghan Hound Serious Conditions

Your veterinarian will check your dog’s elbows and hips and will run blood and urinalysis tests to rule out any of these conditions.

Divider 5Male vs. Female

The male Afghan Retriever is usually larger and heavier than the female. The male is generally 24 to 27 inches and the female 22 to 26 inches in height. The male could weigh 55 to 70 pounds, and the female might be 50 to 65 pounds.

If you choose to have surgery for your dog, neutering the male is an easier operation than spaying a female, so expect to pay a little less, and your male dog will have a quicker recovery time than the female. One of the advantages of spaying or neutering your dog (other than preventing pregnancy) is it can help prolong your Afghan Retriever’s life as it may help stop future health problems from occurring.

Finally, some people believe that there are differences in temperament between female and male dogs. It has been said that females are slightly more affectionate and easier to train than males, but there are debates about this. However, how your Afghan Retriever was socialized and trained as a puppy and how she has been treated as an adult dog will truly determine her personality and behavior.

Divider 3Final Thoughts: Afghan Retriever

As previously mentioned, finding an Afghan Retriever might prove difficult as there are no puppies available at this time. You can start by talking to breeders of Afghan Hounds and Golden Retrievers as they might provide you with more information on these puppies. Otherwise, you can speak to national and local dog clubs, attend dog shows, and definitely post on social media, and don’t forget to look into adopting a dog.

The Afghan Retriever is a gorgeously affectionate dog with both a funny and dignified personality, and she may just be the best fit for your particular family.

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Featured Image Credit: Pixabay

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