General Appearance Gives the
impression of strength and dignity, combining speed and power. Head held
proudly.
Characteristics Eastern or Oriental expression is typical of breed. The
Afghan looks at and through one.
Temperament Dignified and aloof, with a certain keen fierceness.
Head and Skull Skull long, not too narrow, with prominent occiput. Foreface
long with punishing jaws and slight stop. Skull well balanced and mounted by
a long 'top-knot'. Nose preferably black, liver permissible in light-coloured
dogs.
Eyes Dark for preference, but golden colour not debarred. Nearly triangular,
slanting slightly upwards from inner corner to outer corner.
Ears Set low and well back, carried close to head. Covered with long silky
hair.
Mouth Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e.
upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Level bite tolerated.
Neck Long, strong, with proud carriage of head.
Forequarters Shoulders long and sloping, well set back, well muscled and
strong without being loaded. Forelegs straight and well boned, straight with
shoulder; elbows close to ribcage, turning neither in nor out.
Body Back level, moderate length, well muscled, back falling slightly away
to stern. Loin straight, broad and rather short. Hipbones rather prominent
and wide apart. A fair spring of ribs and good depth of chest.
Hindquarters Powerful, well bent and well turned stifles. Great length
between hip and hock, with comparatively short distance between hock and
foot. Dewclaws may be removed.
Feet Forefeet strong and very large both in length and breadth, and covered
with long, thick hair; toes arched. Pasterns long and springy, pads well
down on ground. Hind feet long, but not quite as broad as forefeet; covered
with long thick hair.
Tail Not too short. Set on low with ring at end. Raised when in action.
Sparsely feathered.
Gait/Movement Smooth and springy with a style of high order.
Coat Long and very fine texture on ribs, fore and hindquarters and flanks.
In mature dogs from shoulder backwards and along the saddle, hair short and
close. Hair long from forehead backwards, with a distinct silky 'top-knot'.
On foreface hair short. Ears and legs well coated. Pasterns can be bare.
Coat must develop naturally.
Colour All colours acceptable.
Size Ideal height: dogs: 68-74 cms (27-29 ins); bitches: 63-69 cms (25-27
ins).
Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault
and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in
exact proportion to its degree.
Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully
descended into the scrotum