Hi I'm new to this forum but am an experienced dog owner, having come from a family who bred working terriers and I then went on to own boxers from my teens to date when the last one died recently. I currently have a lovely 5yr old dalmation and I would also love to own an afghan hound, (as a pet only)... BUT I have two children one age almost 3yrs and the other 4yrs. I also have a cat and a couple of rabbits.
I have read a lot around the afghan breed and have an idea what I would be taking on, but a number of people have tried to put me off with tales of aggressiveness towards young children and small animals.
I have found a breeder who tells me that providing the afghan is raised with cats/dogs/young children, then there will not be a problem and she thinks we would make a good home. Recently a contact who used to breed affies in the 80's told me that I would be "inviting a killer" into my house by taking on an afghan and it's really un-nerved me as obviously my children's welfare is paramount over my own desire to own an afghan.
Does anyone have any advice here? My husband thinks we should go for a whippet instead and wait until the kids are older before thinking of an afghan.
Our dalmation is well behaved, no aggressiveness at all and has a daily walk of 1 to 2 hours. She isn't trustworthy around small animals or livestock and has selective recall hearing so I'm used to the idea of a sighthound being the same.
I have read a lot around the afghan breed and have an idea what I would be taking on, but a number of people have tried to put me off with tales of aggressiveness towards young children and small animals.
I have found a breeder who tells me that providing the afghan is raised with cats/dogs/young children, then there will not be a problem and she thinks we would make a good home. Recently a contact who used to breed affies in the 80's told me that I would be "inviting a killer" into my house by taking on an afghan and it's really un-nerved me as obviously my children's welfare is paramount over my own desire to own an afghan.
Does anyone have any advice here? My husband thinks we should go for a whippet instead and wait until the kids are older before thinking of an afghan.
Our dalmation is well behaved, no aggressiveness at all and has a daily walk of 1 to 2 hours. She isn't trustworthy around small animals or livestock and has selective recall hearing so I'm used to the idea of a sighthound being the same.