Afador Dog: Everything You Need to Know

The Afador is a breed that’s not often talked about due to its rare presence but should be talked about more. This wonderful crossbreed may not be the best choice for a person who is new to owning a dog, but for an experienced dog parent, the Afador is an affectionate dog breed and can make an excellent pet for families with kids due to a number of reasons. 

Before you consider starting the adoption process for this high-spirited and incredibly protective hound dog, it’s important to know a little more about their personality, needs, and of course, their lineage. They’re not necessarily high maintenance canines, but just like with any other dog breed in the world, they come with their unique personality as well as particular needs.

Where Did Afador Dogs Come From?

The Afador dog breed was born when a breeder decided to breed an Afghan Hound with a Labrador Retriever. This adorable medium-sized breed originated in Alaska. These rare dogs are still being focused on by breeders as they continue to breed Afghan Hounds and Labrador Retrievers, in order to create a perfect blend of an intelligent dog breed and gentle temperament for the perfect family dog. 

Taking into consideration the lineage, as a combination of a hound and a retriever, the Afador is categorized as a hybrid and is not allowed to be a part of the Elite American Kennel Club roster. However, both the Afghan Hound and the Labrador Retriever are both a part of this elite club.

What’s an Afador’s Personality Like?

The Afghan Hound is well known for its aloof, hound-like nature, while the Labrador has an excitable, playful, and friendly nature. When you combine these two wonderful breeds, you get a dog that can have a personality that is on either end of the spectrum. 

They can make a great family guard dog, as they are not very fond of strangers. They make great family dogs in general, because of their playful and affectionate personality. Although, experts say that families should only adopt an Afador hound when they have children over the age of 10 years old or so. This is because by this age, the children are less likely to poke and prod at the dog. They are great with children but aren’t fans of being teased by them. 

How do I Care for an Afador?

Because of their mixed background, the Afador Hound has a few particular needs from their owner. They are active dogs by nature, so they will need a good and if possible, natural diet for dogs that supplements their daily energy expenditure.  They also need time to burn off all of their playful energy in a way that is safe and healthy. 

Diet

You should be providing your Afador Hound with good quality hard food daily. Typically, the back of the kibble bag will have serving instructions. How much you feed your dog will vary based on their size and age. The Afador is considered to be a medium-size dog, so you will likely be instructed to feed them 1.5-2.5 cups of their food each day. 

This particular breed can suffer from bloating and food allergies, which can be caused by the intake of certain foods and ingredients. So, if you find you Afador becoming bloated after meals, you might need to do some trial and error with their food. As well as do some research to find out which vitamins and nutrients might be best suited to help your dog to not become so bloated after meals. You can also always consult your Afador’s veterinarian on the matter. 

Exercise 

Afador puppies especially need the time to exercise and get rid of all of their extra energy. Most Afadors, of any age, need daily exercise. This can be in the form of a daily doggy walk or a trip to an off-leash park. Although, do keep in mind that the Afador is part hound. They may take off on “the hunt” of something that they picked up on. Just be sure that you trust that they are trained well enough for some off-leash playtime in an open park, before unleashing them. 

Additional Afador Facts

A few other important facts that you should know about an Afador, before adopting, include the fact that it is not a dog that is suited to live in an apartment. Their energy levels are naturally too high for them to be cooped up in a small living space. 

Afadors also thrive well in cooler climates rather than warm and dry ones. This is mostly due to their thick and fuzzy fur coat. A coat that will need a lot of maintenance. You, as their owner, should be brushing and grooming their fur coat at least two times per week. This helps to get rid of any tangles that might occur and prevent mats and hair breakage. 

Conclusion

The Afador is a special hybrid dog breed with two great parents. As a combination of an Afghan hound and the Labrador Retriever, this pooch has quite the personality as a result. They can be lazy and relax as well as hyped up and full to the brim with excitable energy. This dog breed is not for someone who has never owned a dog before, as they can be a bit of a handful at times. But at the end of the day, they are a dog that any family would be lucky to have in their home. 

Do Afador hounds shed?

These hounds do shed but are considered to be a “low-shedding” breed due to their lack of an undercoat. Their particular fur coat resembles human hair more than it does typical dog fur. Meaning, it needs to be groomed on a regular basis to maintain its health, but thankfully does not shed much.

How long do Labradors live?

The typical life expectancy of an Afador hound ranges around 10-12 happy years. Their life span is considered to be shorter than most dogs.

Are Afador hounds aggressive?

Naturally, this breed has a fondness for chasing and catching things, which may come off as a sort of aggression to some, but they are really gentle canines. Their breed is a combination of the Afghan hound and the Labrador retriever, making them a combination of two amazingly gentle family dogs.

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