Question:

I would just love to have to have an Afghan, but I know there is special grooming needed for longhaired dogs. Maybe I should know what I’m getting into before I buy one. What can you tell me?

Alice

ANSWER:

Wow, Alice, are you ever a sucker for punishment! Afghans are beautiful but they are a lot of work to keep in coat and looking their best.

A few things you would need to buy – a snood, a pumice stone, coat conditioner, scissors, thinning shears…get the picture yet?

If you really want an Afghan and the work that goes into keeping the coat in fair condition does not scare you right off the bat, then by all means, get one. My best advice is to contact some Afghan breeders and ask to visit their kennel. Spend some time with the dogs themselves as well as some time watching the breeder groom their dogs. The breeders of individual breeds are the best people to ask about such things as grooming tips and will be able to give you far more information and preferably, hands on training that I am not able to give online. Most breeders are happy to share their knowledge with potential puppy homes and welcome people that are interested in their breed.

Keep in mind that for any breed of dog that has a unique coat type or grooming needs that just because they are groomed a certain way for the show ring does not mean that they need to have the same look as a pet. Most people that own Poodles, Old English Sheepdogs, Shih Tzu, Cocker Spaniels ect keep their dogs in a much shorter pet cut that is easier to maintain so never say no to a breed for that reason alone.