Everything about your Afador

  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.

Overview

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  The Afador is a hybrid dog produced, in the last decade or so, from crossbreeding the Afghan Hound with the Labrador Retriever. Afadors are highly intelligent, remarkably alert, loud barkers, more than a bit stubborn and nearly as difficult to train as they are loyal to loved ones — which is quite a bit! They don’t make ideal indoor dogs due to the tremendous energy they possess, nor are they outside-only dogs as they strongly prefer to be with their family, but they do need a good amount of very secure outdoor space in which to run and play. They are also high maintenance in regards to exercise and grooming.

Breed standards
Dog Breed Group: Mixed Breed Dogs
Average lifespan: 10-12 years
Average size: 60-70 lbs
Hypoallergenic: No
Coat appearance: Long, fine, smooth
Coloration: Black, cream, yellow, chocolate, and parti colored with white
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

History 
  First bred in Alaska, the Afador is a perfect balance between the Labrador Retriever and the Afghan Hound. Although it is still a rare breed, the Afador has become quite popular in the last decade.

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  With the intelligence and energy from the Labrador and the beauty and grace of the Afghan, they can be a great pet for anyone. When the breed first originated, the Afador was always a mix of Labrador Retriever and Afghan Hound, but now there are many breeders who have begun to use second generation Afadors to breed new Afadors. Due to this multibreed mixing, there is no guarantee of which attributes these Afador puppies will have. It depends on the amount of each original breed that was in the first generation and which genetics are the most dominant. 
  Breeders are now trying to stabilize the Afador breed by determining what amounts of each type of dog are most desired. The Afghan Hound originated in Afghanistan and is considered to be one of the oldest dog breeds there are, believed to have been around during the pre-Christian era. The Labrador Retriever is intelligent, lovable, and playful. This breed is one of the most popular guide dogs and working dogs because they are smart and friendly. The Afador is usually a strong and confident retrieving dog that likes to work but also has a playful and protective nature as well. 
  They make great watchdogs at home but also like to venture outdoors often and may want to retrieve random small animals even when you do not request it. Because they are a mixed breed, they are not a true purebred dog so they are not registered with the AKC. However, they are considered to be part of the hounding and sporting groups.


Temperament 
  The Afador is considered a hybrid or designer dog.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.

Health 

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Afadors are generally a healthy breed, but some individuals may be affected by certain health conditions like allergies, hypothyroidism, cataracts, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and myopathy.

Care
  Because of the Afador’s long, fine coat, a lot of maintenance is needed to prevent matting and tangles. The Afghan Hound is known to be almost hypoallergenic but the Labrador Retriever is a moderate shedder, so the Afador is likely to shed. They should be brushed at least twice a week with a metal comb and bristle brush. The best way to brush your Afador is to comb one handful at a time starting at the bottom to keep it free of tangles. 
  Shampooing your Afador may be needed more often than other dogs due to their long fur and affinity for playing outdoors. Use a mild shampoo recommended by your veterinary care provider. The ears should be checked and cleaned once a week to get rid of excess wax and debris. They should be fed about two to three cups of premium dog food per day, depending on your Afador’s size and age. Because Afghan Hounds are prone to bloat, you should talk to your veterinarian about feeding your Afador smaller meals several times a day.

Living Conditions
  The Afador is not suited to living in apartments because of his energy levels nor in warm climates though he is fine in colder ones. 
  He does not bark a lot but will bark and can do so loudly if a stranger approaches. He is stable but should not be kept as an outside dog because of their more social nature.

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.

Activity Requirements 

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  The Labrador Retriever and the Afghan Hound are medium sized dogs that do require at least 45 minutes a day of exercise. Both breeds can easily become couch potatoes and obese, therefore, when the two breeds are mixed, their offspring can also easily become obese and lazy. Ensure that your dog is getting plenty of exercise to build muscle tone and keep his body healthy. Do not just leave him in the back yard to play by himself, he will not do so and may even become destructive. By getting out there with your dog and playing games or simply taking a walk around the neighborhood you are building a bond with your dog that will last a lifetime.

Grooming
  With frequent brushing, its coat can be kept free from tangles and dirt while cleaning its ears every month using a vet-approved solution helps reduce accumulation of wax and dirt. Brush its teeth several times a week and trim its nails once a month.

Talents and Facts

  • The Afador is not officially recognized by any canine organization
  • The name of the dog is a portmanteau of the first syllable of the word “Afghan” and the last syllable of the word “Labrador”
  • Based on its mix, the Afador is sometimes referred to as an Afghan Hound Dog or a Labrador Retriever Hybrid Dog
  • These are not commonly used terms; they are simply acknowledgments of the cross-breed origins of the dog

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