Afghan Chon
Afghan Chon, also known as Afghanchi or Afghan Hound-Chin hybrid, is a stunningly beautiful breed with a sighthound's athleticism combined with a smushed-faced dog's features.
The breed was initially created in the United States by breeding an Afghan Hound with a Japanese Chin to produce a dog that is both elegant and adorable.

Afghan Chon Breed overview
The Afghan Chon breed is a large and majestic dog, with a long and thick coat that requires extensive grooming and maintenance. They are independent and strong-willed, making them challenging to train and suitable for experienced dog owners. They have a moderate-to-high energy level, which requires regular exercise and playtime. They may also be prone to certain health conditions, so regular check-ups with a veterinarian and proper diet and exercise are essential. While they have a moderate temperament towards children, they can be reserved around strangers and other dogs. With proper socialization and training, they can make loyal and loving family pets.
What To Expect When Caring For a Afghan Chon
Grooming
Due to their long and silky coat, Afghan Chon requires regular grooming to prevent mats and tangles. Their coat needs brushing at least twice a week and requires occasional bathing. Trimming their hair around the face and ears will keep them clean and attractive.
Cleaning their ears regularly will also help prevent wax buildup and infections. Their nails should be trimmed regularly to avoid overgrowth.
Nutrition
Afghan Chon's dietary needs will vary depending on their age, size, and activity level. A high-quality diet that meets their nutritional requirements is essential to keep the dog healthy.
Their diet should consist of a balanced mix of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Treats should be given in moderation to avoid weight gain.
Health
Afghan Chon is generally healthy, but like all breeds, they are prone to certain health conditions. Some of these conditions include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye problems, and dental issues. Breeders should conduct health checks on parent dogs to detect and prevent passing on any of these issues to their offspring.
Regular vet check-ups, a healthy diet, and regular exercise can help keep an Afghan Chon in top condition.
Exercise
Despite their small size, Afghan Chons need regular exercise to stay healthy and fit. Daily walks or playtime in a secure fenced yard will provide them with adequate physical activity. They also enjoy participating in dog sports like agility and obedience, but their activity should always be supervised to prevent injuries.
Training
Afghan Chon is an intelligent breed that can be trained easily. They respond well to positive reinforcement, consistent training, and praise. Early socialization is essential to prevent shyness and fear later in life.
Training an Afghan Chon to be an obedient and well-mannered companion is not a challenge as long as the trainer is patient, kind, and consistent.
Open your heart and home to a furry friend eagerly waiting to become your loyal life companion. By choosing to adopt, you are giving a deserving dog a second chance at happiness and supporting the fight against pet overpopulation.
Afghan Chon Traits & Characteristics
Afghan Chon's breed standard is still under development since the breed is not recognized by major kennel clubs. However, breeders aim to produce dogs that have a balanced and refined head, almond-shaped eyes, and a long neck. An Afghan Chon's height can range from 9 to 21 inches, and they can weigh between 7 and 60 lbs.
The breed is classified as a toy or small breed and is known to have a graceful appearance and royal-like features. They have a broad and deep chest, a level back, and a long, feathered tail.
Affection
The degree to which a breed shows love and affection towards its human family members.
Afghan Chon breed is known to show average affection towards their human family members, whereas some individuals may show a higher level of attachment. They prefer to be around people but are not overly dependent and can spend time alone without getting anxious or destructive
Children
How well a breed interacts with children, including tolerance for play and energy level.
Afghan Chon breed can be challenging to raise around children, especially younger ones. Although they are not aggressive towards kids, their large size and high energy level make them prone to accidents, so adult supervision is required. Expose the dog to kids early on to reduce the risk of behavioral problems in the future
Dogs
The breed's friendliness and sociability towards other dogs.
Afghan Chon breed tends to be reserved around strange dogs and may show aggression if they perceive them as a threat. Early socialization and obedience training can help reduce this tendency, but the breed is not recommended for households with multiple pets or dogs.
Strangers
The breed's reaction to unfamiliar people, including whether they tend to be wary or friendly.
Afghan Chon breed tends to be reserved and aloof around strangers, and may require some time to warm up to them. Proper socialization and positive reinforcement can help reduce this tendency, but they will always be more comfortable around familiar faces.
Playfulness
The breed's activity level and tendency to engage in play and games.
Afghan Chon breed tends to be moderately playful, and they enjoy being around their human family members. They have good energy levels but can also be calm and composed when at home, making them suitable for families with active and passive lifestyles.
Alertness
The breed's level of awareness and vigilance, which can affect their ability to perform certain tasks or jobs
Afghan Chon breed is alert and vigilant, making them suitable as watchdogs. They are quick to react if they sense something unusual or a potential threat. Early socialization can help reduce any tendency to overreact, but their alertness will always be a distinctive trait.
Adaptability
The breed's ability to adjust to new environments and situations, including whether they are adaptable or may become stressed.
Afghan Chon breed can adapt to different living environments but may require some time to adjust to changes. They prefer stable routines and may become anxious or stressed if faced with unpredictable situations. Gradual exposure to novel experiences can help them cope better with changes.
Shedding
The amount of hair a breed sheds, which can affect allergies and cleanliness.
Afghan Chon breed sheds moderately, but their long and thick coats require daily brushing to avoid matting and tangling. They also need regular bathing and coat trimming to maintain their hygiene and overall appearance.
Grooming
The amount of maintenance required to keep a breed's coat healthy and clean.
Afghan Chon breed has a very high grooming requirement due to their long and luxurious coat. Daily brushing, regular bathing, and coat trimming are necessary to prevent matting and tangling, as well as maintain the breed's hygiene and appearance.
Drooling
The amount of saliva a breed produces, which can affect cleanliness and potential drool-related issues.
Afghan Chon breed has a dry mouth and does not drool excessively.
Size
The breed's overall size, including their weight and height.
Afghan Chon breed is a large dog, with an average weight of around 70-100 pounds and a height of 24-28 inches. They have a muscular and athletic build, with a long and luxurious coat that adds to their majestic appearance.
Energy
The breed's overall activity level, including their need for exercise and play.
Afghan Chon breed has a moderate energy level and needs regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental health. Daily walks and playtime can suffice, but they also enjoy running and outdoor activities.
Exercise
The breed's need for physical activity and exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Afghan Chon breed needs regular exercise and physical activity to maintain their health and well-being. They enjoy long walks, playing fetch or frisbee, as well as running and outdoor activities. Provide them with daily exercise, and make sure they have access to a safe and secure outdoor space.
Working
The breed's suitability for working and performing certain tasks or jobs.
Afghan Chon breed can be suitable for working and performing certain tasks or jobs, such as search and rescue, tracking, and guarding. However, they may require extensive training and socialization to adapt to these roles, and they also need adequate exercise and mental stimulation to avoid boredom and anxiety.
Hunting
The breed's natural hunting abilities, including their prey drive, scenting abilities, and tracking skills.
Afghan Chon breed has a moderate prey drive and may enjoy hunting and chasing small animals, such as rodents or squirrels. However, they are not specifically bred for hunting and may not excel in this domain. Always supervise them when outdoors to avoid any accidents or encounters with other animals.
Vigor
The breed's physical stamina and endurance, including their ability to maintain high levels of activity and energy.
Afghan Chon breed has a moderate-to-high level of vigor, and they need regular exercise and physical activity to maintain their health and stamina. They are also mentally alert and require adequate mental stimulation to avoid boredom and behavioral problems.
Health
The breed's overall health and potential health issues, including whether they may be prone to certain illnesses or conditions.
Afghan Chon breed is generally healthy and has a lifespan of around 12 years. However, they may be prone to common health issues such as hip dysplasia, ear infections, and eye problems. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian and proper diet and exercise can reduce the risk of developing these conditions.
Obesity
The breed's tendency to gain weight and become overweight or obese, including whether they require extra monitoring and exercise.
Afghan Chon breed is prone to obesity and weight gain, especially if they are not provided with adequate exercise and a balanced diet. Monitor their food and calorie intake, and provide them with daily exercise and playtime to maintain their health and prevent obesity-related conditions.
Cold
The breed's ability to tolerate cold weather conditions, including whether they require extra warmth and protection.
Afghan Chon breed is not very cold-tolerant and may require extra warmth and protection during the colder months. Provide them with a warm and comfortable indoor space, as well as adequate outerwear when they are outside during winter.
Heat
The breed's ability to tolerate hot weather conditions, including whether they require extra cooling and protection.
Afghan Chon breed can tolerate warm weather conditions, but they may require extra cooling and hydration during hot and humid periods. Avoid exposing them to high temperatures for extended periods and always provide them with shade, water, and adequate ventilation.
Apartment
The breed's suitability for new or inexperienced dog owners, including their trainability and temperament.
Afghan Chon breed is not recommended for apartment living due to their large size and energy level. They need plenty of room to stretch and play, as well as regular outdoor activity to maintain their physical and mental health.
Wanderlust
The breed's tendency to wander or roam, including whether they may become lost or require a lot of supervision.
Afghan Chon breed can be prone to wandering, and they may run off if not properly secured or supervised. They enjoy exploring and may get curious about new scents or places. Always keep them on a leash when outside and make sure their living space is secure and safe.
Sensitivity
The breed's sensitivity to criticism or negative reinforcement, including whether they may become stressed or anxious.
Afghan Chon breed can be sensitive to harsh words or punishment and may become stressed or anxious if treated unfairly. Use positive reinforcement-based training and avoid physical punishment or yelling. Establish a bond of trust and respect with the dog to prevent any behavioral problems.
Separation
The breed's tolerance for being left alone, including whether they may become anxious or destructive.
Afghan Chon breed can tolerate short periods of alone time, but they require proper exercise and mental stimulation before and after being left alone. Avoid leaving them unattended for long periods, as they may become anxious, destructive or develop separation anxiety.
Barking
The amount of barking a breed tends to do, including whether they may be vocal or prone to excessive barking.
Afghan Chon breed tends to be vocal, and they may bark to signal their presence or alert their owners. Proper training and socialization can help teach them when it's appropriate to bark and when it's not, as well as reduce the risk of excessive barking.
Mental
The breed's need for mental stimulation and engagement, including whether they are intelligent and require challenging activities.
Afghan Chon breed is intelligent and enjoys mental stimulation and problem-solving activities. Provide them with toys and games that challenge their cognitive abilities and keep them interested and engaged, as well as regular obedience training to prevent behavioral problems from arising.
Novice_owners
Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. They're also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies.
Afghan Chon breed can be challenging for novice dog owners due to their independent and strong-willed nature. They require an experienced and firm leader who can provide them with consistent training and socialization, as well as set clear boundaries and expectations.
Trainability
The ease of training a breed, including whether they are intelligent, obedient, and willing to learn.
Afghan Chon breed can be challenging to train due to their independent and stubborn nature. They are not eager to please and may require a firm and consistent approach to training. Positive reinforcement and rewards based on their interests can help keep their attention and motivation high.
Affection
The degree to which a breed shows love and affection towards its human family members.
Afghan Chon breed is known to show average affection towards their human family members, whereas some individuals may show a higher level of attachment. They prefer to be around people but are not overly dependent and can spend time alone without getting anxious or destructive
Children
How well a breed interacts with children, including tolerance for play and energy level.
Afghan Chon breed can be challenging to raise around children, especially younger ones. Although they are not aggressive towards kids, their large size and high energy level make them prone to accidents, so adult supervision is required. Expose the dog to kids early on to reduce the risk of behavioral problems in the future
Dogs
The breed's friendliness and sociability towards other dogs.
Afghan Chon breed tends to be reserved around strange dogs and may show aggression if they perceive them as a threat. Early socialization and obedience training can help reduce this tendency, but the breed is not recommended for households with multiple pets or dogs.
Strangers
The breed's reaction to unfamiliar people, including whether they tend to be wary or friendly.
Afghan Chon breed tends to be reserved and aloof around strangers, and may require some time to warm up to them. Proper socialization and positive reinforcement can help reduce this tendency, but they will always be more comfortable around familiar faces.
Playfulness
The breed's activity level and tendency to engage in play and games.
Afghan Chon breed tends to be moderately playful, and they enjoy being around their human family members. They have good energy levels but can also be calm and composed when at home, making them suitable for families with active and passive lifestyles.
Alertness
The breed's level of awareness and vigilance, which can affect their ability to perform certain tasks or jobs
Afghan Chon breed is alert and vigilant, making them suitable as watchdogs. They are quick to react if they sense something unusual or a potential threat. Early socialization can help reduce any tendency to overreact, but their alertness will always be a distinctive trait.
Adaptability
The breed's ability to adjust to new environments and situations, including whether they are adaptable or may become stressed.
Afghan Chon breed can adapt to different living environments but may require some time to adjust to changes. They prefer stable routines and may become anxious or stressed if faced with unpredictable situations. Gradual exposure to novel experiences can help them cope better with changes.
Shedding
The amount of hair a breed sheds, which can affect allergies and cleanliness.
Afghan Chon breed sheds moderately, but their long and thick coats require daily brushing to avoid matting and tangling. They also need regular bathing and coat trimming to maintain their hygiene and overall appearance.
Grooming
The amount of maintenance required to keep a breed's coat healthy and clean.
Afghan Chon breed has a very high grooming requirement due to their long and luxurious coat. Daily brushing, regular bathing, and coat trimming are necessary to prevent matting and tangling, as well as maintain the breed's hygiene and appearance.
Drooling
The amount of saliva a breed produces, which can affect cleanliness and potential drool-related issues.
Afghan Chon breed has a dry mouth and does not drool excessively.
Size
The breed's overall size, including their weight and height.
Afghan Chon breed is a large dog, with an average weight of around 70-100 pounds and a height of 24-28 inches. They have a muscular and athletic build, with a long and luxurious coat that adds to their majestic appearance.
Energy
The breed's overall activity level, including their need for exercise and play.
Afghan Chon breed has a moderate energy level and needs regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental health. Daily walks and playtime can suffice, but they also enjoy running and outdoor activities.
Exercise
The breed's need for physical activity and exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Afghan Chon breed needs regular exercise and physical activity to maintain their health and well-being. They enjoy long walks, playing fetch or frisbee, as well as running and outdoor activities. Provide them with daily exercise, and make sure they have access to a safe and secure outdoor space.
Working
The breed's suitability for working and performing certain tasks or jobs.
Afghan Chon breed can be suitable for working and performing certain tasks or jobs, such as search and rescue, tracking, and guarding. However, they may require extensive training and socialization to adapt to these roles, and they also need adequate exercise and mental stimulation to avoid boredom and anxiety.
Hunting
The breed's natural hunting abilities, including their prey drive, scenting abilities, and tracking skills.
Afghan Chon breed has a moderate prey drive and may enjoy hunting and chasing small animals, such as rodents or squirrels. However, they are not specifically bred for hunting and may not excel in this domain. Always supervise them when outdoors to avoid any accidents or encounters with other animals.
Vigor
The breed's physical stamina and endurance, including their ability to maintain high levels of activity and energy.
Afghan Chon breed has a moderate-to-high level of vigor, and they need regular exercise and physical activity to maintain their health and stamina. They are also mentally alert and require adequate mental stimulation to avoid boredom and behavioral problems.
Health
The breed's overall health and potential health issues, including whether they may be prone to certain illnesses or conditions.
Afghan Chon breed is generally healthy and has a lifespan of around 12 years. However, they may be prone to common health issues such as hip dysplasia, ear infections, and eye problems. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian and proper diet and exercise can reduce the risk of developing these conditions.
Obesity
The breed's tendency to gain weight and become overweight or obese, including whether they require extra monitoring and exercise.
Afghan Chon breed is prone to obesity and weight gain, especially if they are not provided with adequate exercise and a balanced diet. Monitor their food and calorie intake, and provide them with daily exercise and playtime to maintain their health and prevent obesity-related conditions.
Cold
The breed's ability to tolerate cold weather conditions, including whether they require extra warmth and protection.
Afghan Chon breed is not very cold-tolerant and may require extra warmth and protection during the colder months. Provide them with a warm and comfortable indoor space, as well as adequate outerwear when they are outside during winter.
Heat
The breed's ability to tolerate hot weather conditions, including whether they require extra cooling and protection.
Afghan Chon breed can tolerate warm weather conditions, but they may require extra cooling and hydration during hot and humid periods. Avoid exposing them to high temperatures for extended periods and always provide them with shade, water, and adequate ventilation.
Apartment
The breed's suitability for new or inexperienced dog owners, including their trainability and temperament.
Afghan Chon breed is not recommended for apartment living due to their large size and energy level. They need plenty of room to stretch and play, as well as regular outdoor activity to maintain their physical and mental health.
Wanderlust
The breed's tendency to wander or roam, including whether they may become lost or require a lot of supervision.
Afghan Chon breed can be prone to wandering, and they may run off if not properly secured or supervised. They enjoy exploring and may get curious about new scents or places. Always keep them on a leash when outside and make sure their living space is secure and safe.
Sensitivity
The breed's sensitivity to criticism or negative reinforcement, including whether they may become stressed or anxious.
Afghan Chon breed can be sensitive to harsh words or punishment and may become stressed or anxious if treated unfairly. Use positive reinforcement-based training and avoid physical punishment or yelling. Establish a bond of trust and respect with the dog to prevent any behavioral problems.
Separation
The breed's tolerance for being left alone, including whether they may become anxious or destructive.
Afghan Chon breed can tolerate short periods of alone time, but they require proper exercise and mental stimulation before and after being left alone. Avoid leaving them unattended for long periods, as they may become anxious, destructive or develop separation anxiety.
Barking
The amount of barking a breed tends to do, including whether they may be vocal or prone to excessive barking.
Afghan Chon breed tends to be vocal, and they may bark to signal their presence or alert their owners. Proper training and socialization can help teach them when it's appropriate to bark and when it's not, as well as reduce the risk of excessive barking.
Mental
The breed's need for mental stimulation and engagement, including whether they are intelligent and require challenging activities.
Afghan Chon breed is intelligent and enjoys mental stimulation and problem-solving activities. Provide them with toys and games that challenge their cognitive abilities and keep them interested and engaged, as well as regular obedience training to prevent behavioral problems from arising.
Novice_owners
Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. They're also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies.
Afghan Chon breed can be challenging for novice dog owners due to their independent and strong-willed nature. They require an experienced and firm leader who can provide them with consistent training and socialization, as well as set clear boundaries and expectations.
Trainability
The ease of training a breed, including whether they are intelligent, obedient, and willing to learn.
Afghan Chon breed can be challenging to train due to their independent and stubborn nature. They are not eager to please and may require a firm and consistent approach to training. Positive reinforcement and rewards based on their interests can help keep their attention and motivation high.
Similar breeds
History of the Afghan Chon
Afghan Chon was created in the United States in the 20th century by breeding an Afghan Hound with a Japanese Chin. The purpose of the breeding was to produce a dog that had the athleticism of a sighthound and the adorable features of a smushed-face dog. The breed quickly gained popularity among small-dog enthusiasts, but it is still relatively rare today.
Afghan Chon Puppies
Afghan Chon puppies are playful, curious, and energetic. They require adequate socialization from an early age to avoid developing shyness or anxiety. Afghan Chon puppies are smart and easy to train, and they respond well to positive reinforcement.
The breed's puppies should be fed a high-quality diet that meets their nutritional requirements. Their dietary needs will differ depending on their age, size, and activity level.