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Afghan Chon Breed Card
Afghan Chon Breed Overview
Group
Mixed Breed Dogs
Height
10-27 inches tall
Breed Recognition
No
Weight
10-75 pounds
Country of Origin
United States
Personality
Energetic, Playful, Family-Oriented
Lifespan
12-15 years
Shedding
Moderate
Afghan Chon History
The Afghanchon is a new hybrid breed of dog. This Afghanchon mix dog is a cross between the Afghan hound and the Bichon Frise, and it originated in the United States. Since it is such a new breed, dog breed info is limited when it comes to the Afghan chon.
The Bichon Frise, half of the equation for making an Afghan Chon, originated in the 14th century in the Mediterranean. From there, two versions exist of how the Bichon was exposed to the rest of the world.
According to one account, French traders brought the dogs from the Mediterranean to the Canary Islands, where it was used in the global trading market. The other says Spanish traders brought them to the islands, whatever the case, the Bichon was introduced to the Americas in 1956 and was officially recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1973.
The Afghan Hound is one of the oldest breeds, with reports of their existence predating written language. They are sight hounds bred for hunting in Afghanistan and were introduced to the Western world in the 1800s. By the early 1900s, the breed had made its mark on the British gentry, and in 1927, the breed was recognized by the AKC.
Cost ✅
COST LEVEL
Low End: $2000
High End: $3000
Afghan Chon Physical Traits
General Appearance💡
The size discrepancy between the two parent breeds gives this mixed-breed dog a wide range of size characteristics.
They range from less than one foot tall to almost two and a half feet at the shoulder and can weigh anywhere in the range of 10 pounds to 75 pounds. Afghan Chons are athletic and slimline, as if built for speed and agility.
The general appearance of an Afghan Chon dog is light-colored and sturdy. The stature gives it a sturdy stance set on strong, medium-length legs. The body is thicker around the chest, which is of a medium girth, and its hind legs will often be set level with its shoulders.
The tail of the Afghan chon is carried over its back and has a medium length and a sturdy base. The paws are large for their size, and their legs are strong and well-muscled but a bit slim. Their face features a longer snout than the Bichon but shorter than the Afghan Hound, and it is topped with ears that fold down and over themselves to fall alongside the dog’s cheeks. The ears hang around their jowls and frame their large, dark brown eyes and small black button nose.
The coat is light-colored and usually in shades of white and cream. It is medium in length and density, as for appearance, it is curly. The coat sheds moderately.
Size & Weight ❤️
Height: 10-27 inches
Weight: 10-75 pounds
Height: 10-27 inches
Weight: 10-75 pounds
Coat & Color
Eye Color
Brown
Coat Color
Black
Coat Length
White, Cream
Coat Texture
Medium
Afghan Chon Temperament and Personality
The Afghan Chon temperament is that of a very family-oriented dog. They are patient and playful with loads of energy, making them great dogs for small children. They love being around their people and going on adventures into the real world.
These dogs do best when they are busy. Giving them intense exercise multiple times a day will give them the best results. They are not aggressive dogs and are not known for excessive barking. This makes them great for social people who bring their dogs with them on outings, as this is a highly social dog that thrives on the energy of being in a pack.
Training will be relatively easy with the Afghan chon. Both breeds this crossbreed is made from are intelligent and driven dogs, although their personalities differ. This helps to make training this Afghan Chon mix challenging, especially if they take after the Afghan Hound. Tons of positive reinforcement and short, succinct training sessions will give you the best results for your efforts.
Kid Friendly?
GOOD WITH KIDS
Bad Idea
Excellent Nanny
Yes, the Afghan Chon is a very kid-friendly dog.
They love being around their people, and young children tend to have the same energy and attention span as dogs, which makes them fantastic companions for this breed. The Afghan Chon is extremely family oriented and is friendly to strangers.
Good with Other Pets?
GOOD WITH PETS
Bad Idea
Friendly Socialite
Yes, the Afghan chon is good with other pets.
Though the Afghan Hound was bred to hunt, the Bichon Frise was bred purely for companionship. This personality trait is largely inherited in the Afghan Chon breed, and this helps to make them great dogs for households with other pets, even small non-dog pets.
Barks a Lot?
BARKING LEVEL
When Neccessary
Noise Maker
Yes, the Afghan Chon is known to bark a lot, but this can be controlled with training.
These are alert dogs who bond deeply with their humans, and although they are not protective, they are excitable. This excitement encourages them to bark and, despite their excitement, makes them a good watchdog.
Can Be Left Alone?
LEFT ALONE
Likes Being Alone
Sepration Anxiety
No, the Afghan Chon is prone to separation anxiety and does not do good when alone.
These dogs are devoted to their family and tend to take it hard when their people aren’t around. This can stress them out and make them anxious. However, the stress can be managed with training and confidence building.
Afghan Chon Training
Training the Afghan Chon can be tricky. Though they are family oriented and love to please their humans, they are often resistant to work. These are, after all, hunting dogs and not working dogs.
Their attention span is short, and they can be quite sensitive, so a soft touch will be necessary to see lasting results. Luckily, patience and lots of dog treats will get you far with this hybrid dog.
Basic obedience training is an obvious must but training the Afghan Chon requires more specific training. Training in quiet commands and consistent kennel training may be required to keep your dog from becoming a disturbance, especially in an apartment setting.
Afghan Chon Needs
The Afghan Chon is an extremely people-oriented dog. This makes them emotionally driven and intelligent, which means they will require mental stimulation and emotional enrichment to be their happiest.
This can come in the form of puzzle toys, dog training, or simple physical exercise, but the emotional and mental needs of the Afghan Chon can largely be met by simply spending quality time with the dog.
This Bichon Frize mix also requires daily exercise. Up to one hour daily should be enough in most cases, but it is not unlikely your dog will require more than that occasionally, especially in the earlier years of their life.
Nutritional Requirements
FOOD MOTIVATED
Picky Eater
Voracious Eater
Since this dog can range in size from 10-75 pounds, it is important to understand some of the nutritional differences between small and large dogs to determine which your dog will need the most.
These are also medium to high-energy dogs who maintain an athletic build throughout their lifetime, which makes getting the right food even more important. Seek out high-quality dog food formulated for your dog’s size and activity level as well as their life stage to get the best results.
Exercise & Activity Levels
ENERGY LEVEL
Couch Potato
Go-All-Day Stamina
Exercising your Afghan Chon will take some time. These are energetic dogs and will need at least an hour of exercise in their younger years. Over time this may dwindle down to one hour a day, but the exercise should be rigorous. A brisk walk will be enough, but multiple brisk walks throughout the day will be better.
Grooming Needs
SHEDDING LEVEL
No Shedding
Shedding Machine
This Afghan Chon mix is considered largely hypoallergenic thanks to its Bichon Frise-type fur. Their fur is not water repellent, so bathing should be done regularly but with large intervals in between baths. Dry shampoos will help greatly with this.
The Afghan Chon’s fur grows continuously, so haircuts will be a must, as well as nail clippings. Their ears should be wiped at regular intervals to prevent ear infections, which the Bichon is known for.
Brushing the Afghan Chon will be a weekly task at a minimum and should be done with a firm bristle brush to work out tangles and matting in the fur.
Afghan Chon Average Lifespan
The average lifespan of the Afghan chon is 12-15 years.
This is an average, with some dogs living longer than that, but overall, this is a healthy breed not prone to injury or illness.
Commom Health Problems
- Hip Dysplasia: Occurring in the growth stages of a dog’s development, hip dysplasia is the degeneration of the hip socket and leads to muscle atrophy, limited mobility, and arthritis.
- Retinal Atrophy: The degeneration of the retina that often leads to blindness. This is common in most small-breed dogs.
- Patellar Luxation: This occurs when the patella (kneecap) moves outside the femoral groove it is supposed to sit in. When the knee is flexed (bent), the kneecap moves to either side of the groove, which causes pain and, over time, can cause limping and arthritis.
- Hypothyroidism: This refers to an under-producing thyroid, and according to the VCA hospitals, “If [the thyroid] is underactive, the metabolism slows down.” This can lead to weight gain, cold intolerance, and dry or dull fur.
- Juvenile Cataracts: An inherited form of cataracts that commonly causes blindness in dogs by clouding the lens of the eye and affecting both eyes symmetrically.
Recommended Health Tests
- Hip evaluation
- Eye examinations
- Endocrine tests
Tips for New Afghan Chon Owners
If you plan on getting an Afghan Chon, consider the following tips:
Tip 1
Find a Reputable Breeder: A good breeder will give complete documentation of the lineage of their dogs. This documentation will also contain genetic information that indicates health issues past generations of the lineage have had and the potential for future health problems.
Tip 2
Get Puppy/Dog Products in Advance: Bringing a new puppy home is a stressful ordeal. Preparing ahead of time by purchasing everything you and your new dog will need prior to bringing your dog home will make the transition much easier and reduce the stress you and your new dog may feel.
Tip 3
Spend Quality Time Together: These dogs are family centered and need to be around their people to be their happiest. Taking them with you when you leave the house provides them with some of the most enriching experiences they can feel. This helps to ensure the mental and emotional well-being of your canine.
Tip 4
Structured Training: Basic obedience training is a must with these dogs, but reiterating the specific training of quiet commands will help make your life and your dog’s life easier.
Afghan Chon Similar Breeds
– Greyhound
– Chihuahua
– Labrador Retriever
– Poodle
Afghan Chon Supplies You Need
When bringing your Afghan Chon home, you should have it ready for their arrival with dog food and food and water bowls. Using the same food your breeder used is best.
Dog toys and treats are a must as well to keep your dog from feeling too stressed in their new home. It is also recommended to have puppy pads and a pet deodorizer on hand as these dogs are known to be difficult to house-train.
Other items you will want to have for your Afghan Chon are an orthopedic dog bed, a dog sweater or coat if you live in a colder climate, and a leash/harness and collar.
The harness is better for walks than a collar because it places less stress on your dog’s throat and can provide a larger reflective surface area which will prove to be handy on walks.
Best Dog Beds for Afghan Chons
Best Dog Food for Afghan Chons
Best Dog Supplements for Afghan Chons
Afghan Chon Fun Facts
Here are some interesting facts about the Afghan Chon:
Fun Fact 1
One of the first people to bring the Afghan Hound to the United States was the American actor Zeppo Marx of the comedy duo the Marx brothers and the inventor of the heart rate monitor.
Fun Fact 2
Legend has it an Afghan Hound was aboard Noah’s Ark in the biblical epic.
Fun Fact 3
The Bichon Frise was traded by Spanish sailors when they brought them to the Canary Islands, a popular trading hub off the northwestern coast of Africa.
Fun Fact 4
The treatment of bichons was so extravagant it inspired the word bichonner, a French verb meaning “to pamper.”
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