AFGHAN HOUND — AGE 



which can be most satisfactorily administered in cases of 

 constipation. 



Afghan Hound. — This hound, which has been known 

 as the Persian greyhound both in this country and on 

 the Continent for many years, is a curious mixture of 

 elegance, strength, and untidyness of appearance. The 

 last-mentioned feature is due to the fact that although 

 practically a smooth-coated variety, the Afghan hound 

 usually carries a good deal of long hair of a silken 

 texture upon his ears, tail, and legs, whilst the longer 

 growth occasionally appears upon the belly as well. This 

 gives him a very unkempt appearance, and suggests the 

 idea that the long coat upon his head, neck, and body 

 has come off — but this is not the case ; and it may be 

 added that occasionally perfectly smooth-coated specimens 

 are met with, but these are not valued as much as the 

 others. The general shape of the breed resembles that 

 of a large but delicately formed greyhound, to which 

 family it undoubtedly belongs, but the long coat above 

 referred to makes the parts on which it grows appear 

 somewhat clumsy. The usual colours are fawn, black, 

 and white ; the height varying from 24 to 29 inches, and 

 the weight from 60 to 70 lbs. 



Age. — The age to which a dog lives depends a good 

 deal upon the constitution of the individual animal, and 

 the manner in which it has been brought up. They are 

 not long-lived creatures, however, and generally begin to 

 show signs of declining vigour at about six or seven 

 years old, after which old age usually overtakes them 

 rapidly, though some robust animals hang on in com- 

 parative health for several years ; but these often grow 

 very fat, their sight almost invariably becomes feeble, 

 whilst they lose their teeth, and their breathing and 

 digestion is impaired. The extreme limit of canine 

 longevity is impossible to state, but a dog of twelve or 



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