How much exercise does an Afghan Hound need?
Daily exercise minutes, the activities an Afghan Hound enjoys and signs of too much or too little.
An adult Afghan needs about an hour of activity a day, including at least a few chances each week to sprint flat out in a securely fenced space. A galloping Afghan can reach roughly 60 km/h (about 40 mph), which says a lot about how quickly it can disappear if it spots a hare. Lure coursing, a sport in which dogs chase a mechanical lure, is a safe and satisfying outlet for the chase instinct.
Off-lead walks in open country are risky, as recall is rarely reliable once the dog has locked onto moving prey. Fences should be at least 1.8 m (6 ft) high, because some Afghans jump well. An under-exercised dog may become restless or destructive, while one pushed too hard in hot weather pants heavily and slows down; long coats trap heat, so walk early on summer days.
Afghan Hound exercise in numbers
Activity ranges are editorial planning estimates. The five-minutes-per-month puppy rule lacks scientific evidence. Adapt activity to the individual and seek advice for pain or exercise difficulty. PDSA puppy exercise guidance.
Editorial activity estimate
90 to 120 min
Puppy activity
Individual plan
adapt to age, health and development
Senior activity
Individual plan
adapt to comfort and ability
Size
large
20 to 30 kg
Energy level
Playfulness
Handles heat
Handles cold