The most striking feature of the Afghan hound is its long, silky coat so of course you want to keep it looking its best. Afghan's do not require clipping but that doesn't mean that they are maintenance free, their coats still require a lot of attention.
What You Will Need
Grooming Afghans does not require a lot of special equipment, but you will need to make sure that you have a few items on hand. A raised tub is the ideal place to bathe your dog since he is so large. It will eliminate the mess and make the job much faster. A hand sprayer would also be useful to make rinsing easier. You will need a mild shampoo as well as a cream rinse to condition his coat. Ask your veterinarian to recommend some products that will work well. A blow dryer is very important as his coat will look unruly if allowed to air dry. Try to use the quietest dryer you can find, especially if your pet is jumpy. When it comes to choosing a brush a pin brush, sometimes called a slicker, is your best choice. This brush will penetrate to the bottom layer of the coat preventing mats from forming.
The Basics of Brushing
If you aren't planning to show your dog brushing about three times a week should be sufficient. Make sure that you do a thorough job, not neglecting any areas. The backs of the legs and near the tail are especially important as mats tend to form more easily there. If you do find a mat while grooming your pet try rubbing a little cornstarch into the area then combing gently with a wide tooth comb. Once a mat has developed the pin brush you normally use is not incredibly effective in removal. Making sure that you brush well every time will eliminate this aggravation for you and your dog.
Bath Time
Unless you are showing your dog a bath is only necessary about once every two weeks. Saturate the coat with water then work the shampoo through his coat gently. Don't scrub the coat as this will result in tangles. Once you have soaped him well rinse him off taking care to keep the water out of his eyes. Next apply the cream rinse to his coat and work it through to the bottom layer. This will help prevent mats and make his coat shiny and smooth. Some types of cream rinse will need to be washed off and some types should be left on. Make sure you read the directions or ask your vet to be sure that you do it correctly.
Next you need to dry your pet. Towel him off gently without rubbing or allow him to drip dry for about an hour if you prefer. When his fur is no longer dripping it's time to blow dry. Start at his head and work your way down his body allowing the blow dryer to part his hair as you go. Afghans do require a lot of time for grooming but the result will be a beautiful shiny coat, which is probably one of the reasons you chose your dog in the first place!
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