Afaird (Afghan Hound & Briard Mix) Info, Pictures, Facts & Traits
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| Height: | 22 – 27 inches |
| Weight: | 60 – 70 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 14 years |
| Colors: | Black, Gray, Silver, Beige |
| Suitable for: | Active families, House with a Yard |
| Temperament: | Loyal, playful, affectionate, gentle, intelligent, independent |
The Afaird is a mixture of the Afghan Hound and the Briard breeds. The Afghan Hound is an ancient dog from Afghanistan and is devoted, loving, and intelligent, and the Briard (named after Brie cheese) originated in France and is loyal, energetic, and protective. The Afaird embodies the best of these two breeds and is a unique mix of them both.
The Afaird is a large dog with floppy ears, long muzzle, and a long, curved tail. They have a thick coat of fur that might be soft or wiry and is in shades of gray, black, or beige.
Afaird Puppies
The Afaird is a healthy breed with an average lifespan for a large dog and is very high energy. They are intelligent but stubborn, so expect training to be somewhat tricky. They are wary of strangers and other dogs they haven’t been introduced to. Make sure to put training and socialization on the top of your to-do list for your puppy. This will help them greatly to get along with other pets and humans.
The high energy level these dogs have require plenty of space to run around in. If you have a large backyard or lots of green space nearby and can dedicate at least 3 hours of dog walking per day, Afaird puppy might be a good option for you.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Afaird Dog
1. The Afaird makes a great watchdog.
The Briard is a herding dog, so the Afaird has that “protective of her flock” instinct from her parent. Her loyalty to her family and wariness of strangers makes her the perfect watchdog as she will alert her family to anyone approaching the home.
2. The intelligent and energetic Afaird needs mental stimulation.
They will get bored and become destructive if left alone for too long or aren’t given something to do. Using toys and puzzles can help keep your dog busy and not as likely to get bored.
3. The size and energy of the Afaird means a house with a yard is best.
They could do okay in a large apartment as long as they are taken out and given the opportunity to run, but a house with a yard will suit them best.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Afaird 🧠
The Afaird is an active, robust dog that is gentle with children and quite sweet-natured. They are very courageous and affectionate dogs that will watch over the family and bark out warnings because of their cautious natures.
Both the Briard and the Afghan are very intelligent dogs, so the Afaird is as smart as her parents. They are independent dogs that tend to be highly active when outside but calm and gentle when inside.
Are Afairds Good for Families? 🏡
The Afaird is an excellent family dog as she is very gentle and patient with children and will watch over them. They are also known to be silly and playful as well, as long as there’s supervision, particularly with younger children. All children need to be taught to respect dogs as most dogs do not want to be ridden like a horse or have their ears and tails pulled.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽
As long as the Afaird has been trained and socialized, she will get along with all family pets. The Afghan Hound was used for hunting so the Afaird might take on some of her parent’s hunting instincts, which needs to be taken into consideration if you have smaller pets.
Things to Know When Owning an Afaird:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
How often and how much you feed your Afaird will depend on her size, age, and activity level. You should find a high-quality dry dog food (like this one) and follow the bag’s guidelines that will help you determine the amount. Always talk to your vet if you have any concerns about your Afaird’s health or weight.
Exercise 🐕
Afairds are highly energetic dogs that need a great deal of daily exercise. Therefore, they will need a minimum of two or three walks a day for 45 minutes to one hour each. Make a point of playing with your Afaird as often as you can, and you’ll have a happy and well-adjusted dog on your hands.
Training 🦮
Training the Afaird is a challenge, thanks to a strong stubborn streak. Both the Afghan and the Briard are prone to highly independent natures, so you should expect the same in their offspring. Lots of patient but firm training is in order but be sure to lavish your dog with rewards and praise as the Afaird is also a sensitive dog. Be sure to give your puppy many opportunities to socialize by taking her out every day to dog parks.
Grooming ✂️
Both the Afghan and Briard are high-maintenance concerning grooming, and the Afaird is no different. You’re looking at each grooming session lasting for about one hour and at least two or three times a week. You should only bathe your Afaird no more than once a month with a dog shampoo.
You should clean your Afaird’s ears about once a month, brush her teeth about 2 or 3 times a week, and trim her nails every 3 to 4 weeks.
Health Conditions ❤️
In order to better understand some of the potential health problems for the Afaird, we need to look at the conditions her parents might endure.
Afghan Hound:
- Cataracts
- Tail injury
Briard:
- Degeneration of the image forming part of the eye
- Night blindness
Afghan Hound:
- Hip dysplasia
- Paralysis Due to Spinal Cord Injury
- Bad reaction to barbiturate anesthesia
Briard:
The vet will examine your Afaird, his tail, and run thorough eye exams to rule out the possibility of your dog inheriting the minor conditions.
And while the Afaird will not be as likely to inherit the major conditions, your vet will check your dog’s hips and run tests on her spine as well as run x-rays and blood and urinalysis tests.
Male vs Female
One of the main differences between male and female dogs is in size, with the males generally a little bigger than the females. The male Afaird can be 22 to 27 inches in height and 60 to 70 pounds in weight while the female is usually a few inches smaller and several pounds lighter.
If you elect to have surgery for your dog, this also is another big difference between males and females. Spaying a female dog is a more challenging operation than neutering the male and is consequently more expensive and will take longer for the female to recover from. However, having your dog spayed or neutered can contribute to a longer and healthier life for your dog as it can help to prevent serious health issues.
Lastly, it has been believed that there are temperament differences between males and females. Generally speaking, there are debates about the fact that female dogs tend to be more affectionate and easier to train than males. However, how a dog was socialized and trained as a puppy and how she is treated as an adult will truly determine the personality and behavior of your dog.
Final Thoughts: Afaird
While the Afaird is not the best dog for a novice dog owner, she will make a wonderful dog for the right family. Bred from two purebred dogs that are highly intelligent yet stubborn almost guarantees a dog with a strong personality.
It will be a challenge to find an Afaird puppy, so you could start by speaking to breeders of Afghan Hounds and Briards. Follow up by talking to national and local dog clubs and attend dog shows and speak to as many people as you can. Lastly, posting your interest in locating an Afaird on social media will get your request out to a vast audience.
Is the Afaird worth all this effort? You bet. Smart, fun, and devoted, the Afaird will play with the children and cuddle up to watch TV in the evening and could very well be the best companion you’ll ever have.
Related Reads:
- Rashon (Rat Terrier & Bichon Frise Mix)
- Russian Doodle Terrier (Black Russian Terrier & Poodle Mix)
- Cocker Sheltie (Cocker Spaniel & Shetland Sheepdog Mix)
Featured Image Credit | Left: Afghan Hound (David Raihelgauz, Shutterstock), Right: Briard (kyliskova.cz, Shutterstock)
