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The Afollie is an interesting hybrid dog breed that combines the dignified and regal appearance of the Afghan Hound with the energetic and extroverted temperament of the Collie. This hybrid carries an air of nobility and grace while also bringing a child-like love of play and affection to the table. The Afollie certainly is a steadfast and loyal companion, but this breed isn’t right for every family.
Breed Overview
Colors:
Tan, black, white, brown, fawn, brindle, tricolor
Suitable for:
Experienced dog owners, families with children, active couples and families
Temperament:
Affectionate, loyal, sensitive, gentle, ambivert
The Afollie is a designer dog resulting from breeding an Afghan Hound with a Collie. They are very loyal and affectionate toward their humans and can make good watchdogs as they’re quite vigilant and unafraid to alert their owners if intruders are afoot. They may combine the Afghan Hound’s cat-like, aloof, and dignified temperament with the Collie’s lively, gentle, and faithful disposition.
Afollie Characteristics
Afollie Puppies
Finding a breeder specializing in Afollies may be challenging. We were unable to find any in our search, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. There is just more of a focus on “popular” hybrid mixes, such as Goldendoodles. If you have your heart set on this unique designer breed, you’ll have better luck scouring your local humane societies and animal rescues for pups awaiting adoption.
Afollie Origin & History
Since the Afollie is a hybrid dog breed, their exact history and origin are unknown. However, we do have an established origin story for both of the parent breeds.
Afghan Hounds are one of the oldest breeds in existence. They originated in Afghanistan, where nomadic tribes used them to chase prey. They first arrived in England during the 1900s, and by the 1970s, they had become very popular as status dogs. Nowadays, however, it is rare to see Afghan Hounds outside of the show ring.
Collies originated in Scotland during the 1800s. While the exact rootstock is unknown, some believe the breed was derived from the same ancestors as the Border Collie. Queen Victoria fell in love with the gentle and devoted Collie and added her first to her kennel in the mid-1800s. Between her love of the breed catching the eye of other dog fanciers and the rise of the Lassie movies and television shows in the 1950s, Collies cemented their place in the world as a fine family dog and companion.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Afollie 🧠
The Afollie is a loyal and gentle companion with a playful and clownish streak. They bond closely with their families, though depending on which parent breed they favor, they may be aloof or excitable around strangers.
Collies are the quintessential extrovert of the canine world. These gregarious dogs actively seek companionship from their owners, have a genuine love of children, and are fantastic adventurers.
Afghan Hounds, on the other hand, are more independent and dignified. They’re gentle and silly but can also be very introverted and shy, especially when socialization wasn’t adequate in their early years.
These intelligent dogs can learn quickly but may become bored easily. They need engaging and varied training sessions to capture their attention and challenge them. The exact intelligence level of the Afollie can vary greatly. Afghan Hounds top the list as one of the “dumbest” dog breeds, at least according to Stanley Coren, an expert in dog intelligence. Collies, on the other hand, crack the top twenty most intelligent dog breeds.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
The Afollie can make a great family pet, especially if they take after their Collie side in temperament.
Collies are known for their gentle and devoted companionship and their playful side. They’re incredibly affectionate with humans, especially children. Their high energy level makes them ideal playmates, though they also know how to kick back and relax with the family indoors.
Afghan Hounds are very clownish and playful; however, their independent and aloof nature can make playtime frustrating for younger kids who want nothing more than to play with their dogs. These pups tend to be one-family dogs and can be very reserved and aloof toward strangers and guests.
Afollies can be adequate watch dogs, but they’re not great at providing protection. They will happily alert you to anything out of the ordinary, but their alert nature does give them a tendency to be exuberant barkers. However, this can be addressed through training.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Afollies can get along well with other animals, even cats. The highly social nature they may have inherited from their Collie side allows them to be great companions with other dogs. However, Afghan Hounds are generally just “fine” with other pets. You can increase the likelihood of a harmonious transition into a multi-pet or multi-species home by raising the two animals together. Proper socialization and training will also be critical to this transition.
It is important to remember, however, that an Afollies’ Afghan Hound side may give them a high prey drive. This may make living with smaller animals and pocket pets extremely challenging, as your pup may be prone to giving chase and even attacking them. Supervision will be necessary.
Things to Know When Owning an Afollie
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Since the Afollie is a high-energy and athletic dog, they’ll need a high-quality diet with superb nutrition to meet their needs. The diet you choose should be appropriate for your pup’s life stage (e.g., puppy, adult, or senior). Your vet may also recommend a diet formulated for large breeds or highly active dogs. They may also suggest food containing omega fatty acids to keep your pup’s coat shiny and healthy.
Since Afollies can be prone to bloat, it’s best to feed two feedings daily as opposed to one to reduce their risk of developing this potentially life-threatening condition.
Exercise 🐕
The Afollie is an athletic and active dog. If they are more Afghan than Collie, they may prefer spending time inside with their family than going outside on adventures, but they’ll still be naturally active and require a fair amount of daily exercise.
You should expect to provide, at minimum, 90 minutes of exercise per day, but the more you can offer, the better. These pups may do better in homes with a large, secure backyard where they can burn off excess energy between their walks. But don’t leave them in the yard alone for too long, as they may turn to unwanted behaviors like barking if they become bored.
Get creative with the exercise opportunities you offer your Afollie. They will love playing fetch and may even enjoy dog sports like lure coursing or agility. However, since your pup has sighthound blood in their veins, be careful about allowing them to run around off-leash, as they may have a strong instinct to run off in pursuit of prey.
Training 🎾
The Afollie may be slightly challenging to train, especially if they inherit the Afghan Hound’s stubborn and somewhat aloof nature. However, their high intelligence and eagerness to please can be helpful during training sessions.
If your Afollie takes after their Collie side, they’ll have a genuine love of learning and training. They’ll want to continue training sessions and challenge themselves well into adulthood. If they’re more like their Afghan parent, teaching basic commands will generally be sufficient. However, many Afghan owners find that no amount of training can out-train their dog’s hunting instinct and break off their instinct to engage in high-speed chases.
Afollies can excel in obedience, agility, and herding, which can be a fun way to bond with your pup and encourage mental and physical stimulation.
Grooming ✂️
Your Afollie’s coat will require regular maintenance. At a minimum, you should expect to brush them at least two or three times weekly; however, your pet’s coat length, texture, and exact care requirements will depend entirely on which parent breed they take after.
Collies can either have smooth or rough coats. Smooth-coated pups won’t mat like their rough-coated counterparts, but they’ll still need brushing, especially during the shedding period.
When Afghan Hounds are puppies, their coats are very short and fuzzy and won’t need much maintenance. However, they won’t stay that way forever. These pups will develop long, silky coats that will call for several hours of care weekly to keep them free of tangles and mats. Additionally, they will need regular bathing with dog-friendly shampoo and conditioner to keep their coats healthy and shiny.
Health and Conditions ❤️
While the hybrid Afollie may be healthier than their purebred parents, they can still be at risk of developing the conditions that plague their parent breeds.
Collies and Afghan Hounds can be prone to conditions that frequently affect large breeds, such as bloat and hip dysplasia.
Collies are particularly at risk for collie eye anomaly, an inherited eye disease affecting the deep structures of the eye. They can also develop MDR1 mutation, a genetic condition that impacts how they process drugs. According to the Collie Health Foundation, the breed may also be at risk for degenerative myelopathy, progressive retinal atrophy, and dermatomyositis.
According to the Afghan Hound Club of America, these dogs can be at risk for chylothorax, a disease that occurs when chyle accumulates in the thoracic cavity. They may also develop necrotic myelopathy and may react to barbiturate anesthesia.
Minor Conditions
- Eye conditions
- Dental problems
Serious Conditions
- MDR1 mutation
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Bloat
- Hip dysplasia
Male vs Female
Male and female Afollies differ in size. Males will generally be taller and heavier than their female counterparts. Differences in personality between sexes are primarily anecdotal. For every Afollie owner who says their male is gentle and more affectionate than their female is an owner who says the complete opposite is true of their pups.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Afollie
1. The Afollie is a working dog.
Both foundation breeds for the Afollie hybrid are born and bred working dogs. Afghan Hounds were used to hunt fast prey like rabbits and gazelle, while Collies were developed as herding dogs to work with sheep and cattle.
2. The Afollie is very sensitive.
The Afollie is a sensitive hybrid dog that generally does not do well with an irregular daily routine, a noisy household, and frequent visits from strangers. They thrive on predictability and prefer spending time in the presence of their families.
3. Afollies are not agressive.
The foundation breeders for the Afollie hybrid are generally not considered aggressive. That said, they may have the potential for mouthiness. This means they may tend to nip, chew, or playfully bite. This is something that can be addressed during training to ensure it doesn’t develop into an unwanted and dangerous habit when your Afollie becomes an adult.
Final Thoughts
The Afollie is a unique hybrid with many redeeming characteristics from both foundational breeds. These gorgeous dogs are intelligent, energetic, and generally quite trainable. Their personalities can range from aloof and introverted to extroverted and sweet. These loyal and affectionate pups bond closely with their family members and are suitable for living alongside other pets and children.
The Afollie combines the striking appearance and regality of the Afghan Hound with the intelligence and outgoingness of the Collie. They are great companions for experienced dog owners who prioritize exercise and time outdoors. The Afollie needs an owner with confidence who can step into the alpha role and be the good role model they need to grow into a well-behaved adult.
Afollies do indeed have much to offer their human families. If you’re seeking an active, loyal, and affectionate dog and have the time and space to meet their high energy needs, this may just be the right breed for you.
Featured Image Credit: (L) Irma07, Shutterstock | (R) Photobox.ks, Shutterstock
