en look of the<br >Afghan Hound Standards<br > Called the "dog of Noah s Ark" by tribesmen hunters of Afghanistan，<br >the Afghan Hound is probably the most ancient of breeds. With his proud<br >carriage， regal action and flowing coat and topknot， he is also one of the<br >most unusual dogs in appearance， sure to attract attention wherever he goes.<br > Although the Afghan is a newcomer to America， having been here only<br >about thirty years， his colorful history goes back an estimated 8，000 years.<br >The actual age of the breed is a disputed point， but all acknowledge it to be<br >the oldest of known breeds. Long-haired dogs of the greyhound type were<br >pictured and described in Egypt of 4000 B.C. The royal rulers took great<br >pride in their hunting dogs and would keep only the best. So it came about<br >that Afghans earned royal favor ~nd were kept in packs for hunting. They<br >were often the pampered pets of royal princesses and became known as the<br >dogs of royalty; they are still called that today.<br > Afghans were jealously guarded and great care was taken in the breed-<br >ing and pedigree records， At times one royal household might present a gift<br >of a fine hound to another as a token of friendship. This may have been the<br >way in which， during succeeding centuries， they arrived in Afghanistan， the<br >rugged， mountainous country which gives the breed its name.<br > The Afghan has been put to a wide variety of uses down through the<br >centuries， always living close to men. His reputation as a hunter is unexcelled<br >in his native land where he has been used against a variety of wild game，<br >including antelope and gazelle and even the dangerous snow leopard. Hunt-<br >ing in packs， Afghans work in pairs to bring down their prey， although<br >noted hunters are credited with kills singlehanded. The Afghan possesses<br >great speed and stamina and can travel over rocky， rugged ground with ease，<br >due to his unique structure. The Afghan s wide， high hip bones are found<br >in no other breed， and this prominence gives puppies particularly a gaunt<br >look. The huge paws， well protected by heavy hair between the pads， give<br >an Afghan good footing on rough terrain.<br > The Afghan s long legs and deep chest also come from ancestors selected<br >for their ability to twist and turn and leap over obstacles in pursuit of game.<br >The powerful jaw and well-muscled frame were needed for a dog to pull<br >down such prey as the fierce wildcats.<br > The Afghan has many capabilities. In his native country， his herding<br >instinct has been put to use on flocks of sheep and goats. There has also<br ><br >