It never occurred to me that some people don’t know what a Pooghan is until I heard someone call this dog a “shaggy Poodle.” It’s a correct description, but not accurate. So what is a Pooghan?
The Pooghan is a cross between a Poodle and an Afghan Hound. Pooghans are also called “Affydoodles” or “Affypoos.” They are a “shaggy-haired” dog breed with a long, fine glossy coat. They are ideal companions for families and first-time dog owners. Moreover, with some training, Pooghans can be good guard dogs.
If you’re thinking about adopting a Pooghan, you are on your way to having a friendly companion. But like any other dog breed, you have to learn about their diets, mannerisms, special needs, and other ways to take care of your new furry friend. Luckily, we’ll cover all that information in this article. But before we get to that, let’s look at some basic physical characteristics of Pooghans.
How Big Do Afghan Hound Poodle Mixes Get?
When adopting a Pooghan, there is a variety to choose from. You can choose from mini Pooghans and standard Pooghans that grow to be large dogs. However, most Pooghans have attentive, piercing eyes and a medium-sized curved tail.
Weight
Mini Pooghans weigh about 30 to 45 lbs. These small dogs make perfect companions for young children and toddlers.
On the other hand, you could get a standard-size Pooghan. Standard Pooghans weigh between 50 and 65 lbs. They can become excellent guard dogs with a bit of training.
Height
As for height, Standard Pooghans grow from 22 to 28 inches tall. Their height trait comes directly from both their parents. Adult Afghan Hounds grow up to 25 to 27 inches, whereas adult Standard Poodles grow to 18 to 24 inches tall.
Coat Texture And Length
The best thing about Pooghans is their shaggy dog-like appearance. This is thanks to the combination of a long fine coat from the Afghan Hound and the dense, curly coat of a Poodle. Together, they create the soft, glossy coat of a Pooghan.
Pooghan coats can be curly to wavy and can grow very long. Fur grows all over Pooghans’ faces, paws, legs, and bellies. It even grows thickly around the eyes.
Coat Colors And Patterns
Pooghans have various coat colors and patterns. It is common to see Pooghans with hazel-nut brown or all-black coats. Alternatively, some have a mix of colors and patterns.
How Long Do Afghan Hound Poodle Mixes Live?
The life expectancy of Pooghans is between 10 and 15 years.
Pooghans are active dogs. Though they are a mix of two athletic breeds, they’re still prone to various health issues common to their parent breeds.
Obesity
Pooghan puppies are prone to obesity, which isn’t good because they’re also highly prone to joint issues. An excellent way to avoid this is to feed your Pooghan puppy top-quality puppy kibble. Ensure that the food is appropriate for their age and size.
Joint And Vision Issues
Unfortunately, Pooghans can inherit joint and vision issues from Afghan Hounds and Poodles. Afghan Hounds develop eye problems, some of which cause blindness. For example, Pooghans may develop glaucoma, characterized by redness, tearing, and eye pain. Like Poodles, Pooghans are also susceptible to cataracts brought about by age.
Pooghans can also suffer from joint issues similar to Afghan Hounds. One such issue is hip dysplasia, which often leads to arthritis. Hip dysplasia is also common in Poodles, elevating the chances of your Pooghan developing the issue.
Bloating
Bloating is common in dogs with deep and narrow chests. Therefore, the Afghan Hound is more susceptible to bloating than other breeds. Pooghans can, unfortunately, inherit this condition. If left untreated, bloating is sometimes fatal. Watch for signs of distress or stomach upset in your furry friend and provide immediate medical attention.
How To Take Care Of Your Pooghan?
Pooghans are pleasant companions. Therefore, you will want them beside you for a long time. You must focus on your companion’s diet and exercise requirements to guarantee a long and healthy life.
High-Quality Diet
The Pooghan is an active dog. Therefore, they need regular sustenance. Stick to high-quality kibble when feeding Pooghan puppies. But be careful not to overfeed your Pooghan puppy; free-feeding is not an option for the Pooghan at any age.
Pooghans are susceptible to obesity, bloating, and joint issues. Overfeeding is dangerous for the dog’s health. Stick to control feeding. Two to three small meals per day should do just fine. Set a definite number of cups of food per session, per the advice of the food package.
As they grow older, strive for a high-quality diet for your Pooghan. Pet Plate is a great place to find superior dog food infused with multivitamins.
Multivitamins
Pooghans also benefit from multivitamins and other micronutrient supplements. Vitamin supplements help improve health issues from immunity and digestion to joint functionality and healing. They should therefore be a permanent fixture in your dog’s meals.
Exercise Routine
As mentioned before, Pooghans are highly active dogs. Therefore, they will need at least 45 minutes of exercise daily. Additionally, regular movement ensures that these dogs do not suffer from obesity. The ideal exercise routine for Pooghans includes long walks and the chance to run around as much as possible.
Exercise Pooghans an hour before or after feeding. Like Afghan Hounds, Pooghans love to run and catch frisbees or balls. Therefore, off-leash exercises are best for your Pooghan.
Dental Water Additives
In addition to taking care of diet and exercise needs, use dental water additives to improve your Pooghan’s overall oral health. Such additives help reduce bacteria and prevent plaque build-up. Simply add a few drops into your dog’s water bowl, and you’re set for the day.
Temperaments Of Afghan Hound Poodle Mixes
Pooghans are charming, playful, and friendly dogs. They’re ideal for families with young children, especially toddlers.
Additionally, they are perfect companions for first-time dog owners. With a little training, Pooghans are great security dogs. The top three characteristics you will love about your Pooghan include:
Friendliness
Afghan Hounds are known for their independence. However, Pooghans are the opposite, showing friendliness and generally social characteristics. They get along well with other animals in social settings.
When you take your Pooghan to the park, you will notice how well they mingle with other dogs. Additionally, they are friendly to humans. Pooghans are often open to petting, even from strangers.
Playfulness
Another thing you will love about your Pooghan is how playful they are, especially as puppies. Pooghans are naturally active and spend hours running around, playing with balls, chew toys, and frisbees. If you have young children or toddlers, a Pooghan is their perfect companion. Pooghans and toddlers are a match made in heaven.
Gentleness
And finally, you don’t have to worry about any aggressiveness or hostility during Pooghan-human interactions. Pooghans are naturally gentle and charming. They love to be part of family activities. They remain well-behaved and are always gentle when interacting with children and toddlers.
They are also gentle with their young and other animals. Pooghans also have an alert and protective side. It manifests when they reproduce or bond with animals and humans. This defensive attribute helps them become excellent yet non-aggressive guard dogs.
Grooming Tips For Afghan Hound Poodle Mixes
Pooghans have long shiny coats that can be curly to wavy. Pooghans are hypoallergenic dogs similar to Poodles but with a shaggy appearance. They barely shed! Some don’t shed at all.
Therefore, you don’t have to worry about hair on your couch or other parts of the house. However, this doesn’t mean that you can skip grooming. Pooghans need regular grooming.
Washing And Brushing
To prevent coat matting, Pooghans need regular brushing. Brush your Pooghan’s coat three to four times a week. Brushing keeps their coat glossy and tangle-free. Use the FURminator Undercoat Tool to remove loose hair without cutting into the skin or damaging Pooghan’s topcoat.
Also, wash your Pooghan regularly with a gentle shampoo. Paws & Pals 6-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo works great for Pooghans. Its unique formula helps retain a glossy matte-free coat. It also has nourishing properties and will not sting your pet’s eyes. Best of all, it smells great!
Regular Visits To The Groomer
Your Pooghan needs regular visits to a professional groomer. Trips to the groomer help maintain coat growth. You can keep it long or short, depending on your preference. A groomer helps to maintain growth around the eyes to improve vision. Groomers also help maintain hygiene, including cleaning the ears, paws, and teeth.
Related Questions
How Much Does An Afghan Hound Poodle Mix Cost? A Pooghan costs anywhere between $1,200 and $2,000. The price depends on the age and size of the Pooghan. Consider various breeders when accounting for price variations. Most breeders ask for a non-refundable deposit before adoption, so be prepared.
Do Afghan Hounds Get Along With Poodles? Afghan Hounds get along well with trained Poodles. Both species have aristocratic backgrounds making them compatible. While the Afghan Hound has a calm and natural likeability, the poodle is eccentric with explosive traits. Though they don’t seem like compatible friends, these two dogs are great together.
Can A Pooghan Swim? Pooghans can swim well, and their swimming ability can be considered better than most dog breeds. They love to swim, just like their parents, Afghan Hounds, and Poodles. Poodles are natural swimmers, and they love the water. Afghan Hounds are surprisingly great swimmers too. When summer rolls in and your Pooghan gets close to the pool, guide your canine buddy in and watch the cutest doggy paddle.
