Afghan Hound has low obesity risk, but needs exercise and food monitoring for optimal health.

Belgian Sheepdog has average obesity risk, needs balanced diet, daily walks, and weight monitoring.

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Afghan Hounds are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Unfortunately, the Belgian Sheepdog is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Aloof
Dignified
Independent
Clownish
Happy

Active
Confident
Hard
Working
Stubborn
Intelligent
Alert
Friendly
Protective
Watchful

Avoid Afghan Hounds as watchdogs - they're not effective.

Choose a Belgian Sheepdog if you want a top-notch watchdog. This breed takes guarding seriously, and may not require much training, though obedience or guard dog training can improve their skills.

saluki (persian greyhound)

Shepherd Dog

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club

ancient times

1800s

Sporting (AKC:1926)
Sighthound & Pariah (UKC)

Herding (AKC:1912 & UKC)

Brown

Brown

Black

Black

Black
Red
Cream
Blue
Silver
White

Black
Fawn
Sable

Afghan Hounds are known for their coat length.

Belgian Sheepdogs have longer coats compared to most dogs.

Demodectic Mange
Cataracts
Hip Dysplasia
Thyroid
Corneal Opacities

Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Hip Dysplasia
Hypothyroidism
Cancer

Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Retinal Dysplasia
Glaucoma

Cataracts
Epilepsy

Eye
Hip X-Rays
Heart

Blood Test
Hip X-Rays
Thyroid Tests
MRI
Eye Examination

Afghan Hound has average social needs and is less independent than other breeds.

Belgian Sheepdog has above average social needs and thrives with interaction with humans and other dogs.

Afghan Hounds require significant physical activity and suit those with an active lifestyle.

Belgian Sheepdogs need high physical activity and are ideal for active individuals, but not suitable for sedentary lifestyles or small apartments.

Afghan Hounds are typically quiet and only bark when needed, such as to alert their owner or when in distress.

Belgian Sheepdog dogs bark and howl frequently and are not recommended for quiet homes.

Afghan Hound dogs are not typically good guard dogs due to their lack of protective nature and weak territorial drive.

Belgian Sheepdog dogs are highly protective and make excellent guard dogs due to their strong instinct to defend their territory and owners, and their high level of vigilance.

Walking, Running

Playing Ball, Walk, Run, Keep away, Hike, Swim, Frizbee, Canoeing, Chase, Long walks, Hiking, Eating Snacks

Afghan Hounds are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Belgian Sheepdogs are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Afghan Hound, it's at least 8 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Belgian Sheepdog, it's at least 9 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

In general most Afghan Hounds usually need at least 45 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

In general most Belgian Sheepdogs usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Afghan Hounds have high grooming needs, requiring regular trims and professional grooming assistance to keep their coat healthy.

The Belgian Sheepdog requires an average amount of grooming compared to other breeds.

Ideally, Afghan Hound should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

Belgian Sheepdog should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper

Pin Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper

For an average 44-60 pound (20 - 27 kg) Afghan Hound feed 3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

For an average 55-75 pound (25 - 34 kg) Belgian Sheepdog feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

The average cost of an Afghan Hound is somewhere $3.90 - $4.20 per day.

The average cost of a Belgian Sheepdog is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

The average per month expenses of an Afghan Hound is between $112 - $126. This makes an average of $1344 - $1512 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

The average per month expenses of a Belgian Sheepdog is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Afghan Hound is an independent and stubborn breed with low obedience intelligence, making training a test of patience.

Belgian Sheepdog is a very intelligent and trainable breed.

This breed is sensitive to its environment and best suited for patient and understanding families with a consistent routine.

This breed is sensitive and requires gentle handling and a calm home environment.

Afghan Hounds make excellent apartment dogs, being fairly active indoors and not requiring a yard.

Belgian Sheepdogs can do well in apartments with enough exercise and time outside, but a small yard would be ideal.

Afghan Hounds are somewhat cat friendly and can be trained to get along with cats.

Belgian Sheepdogs are very friendly with cats and make great companions for them.

Afghan Hounds are quick to announce strangers and can be standoffish or suspicious.

Belgian Sheepdogs are averagely friendly around strangers but benefit from early socialisation.

Afghan Hounds have an average level of playfulness, enjoying playtime like most dogs but not excessively so.

Belgian Sheepdogs are very playful, so adopting an older one might be a better option for a more relaxed experience.

Afghan Hounds are usually easy to train but require consistency to fully obey commands.

Belgian Sheepdogs are popular for their ease of training and quick learning ability.