Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Silky coat, long.
A Afghan Hound suits
- Runners, hikers and active households (energy 4 of 5)
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 1 of 5)
Think twice if
- You don't want regular grooming: coat care is 4 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 4 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean plenty of daily exercise plus training games or puzzle feeders. With barking at 3 of 5 and a watchdog score of 3, expect some barking at the door. Grooming at 4 of 5 means brushing several times a week or regular professional grooming.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 122.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Afghan Hound vs Bedlington Terrier · Afghan Hound vs Airedale Terrier · Afghan Hound vs Maltese
Frequently asked questions
Are Afghan Hounds good with kids?
The AKC rates the Afghan Hound 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Afghan Hounds shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 1 out of 5 (very low), and coat grooming 4 out of 5.
Are Afghan Hounds easy to train?
Trainability is rated 1 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Afghan Hound have?
Energy is rated 4 out of 5 and playfulness 3 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Afghan Hound page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.