There’s more than one way to groom an Afghan Hound. Look around online and it won’t take you very long to find people saying, “NEVER do this” or “ALWAYS do that.” The fact of the matter is the method that is best for you when it comes to grooming your Afghan Hound will be a) the method that helps ensure you will do it on long term basis and b) dependent on what your goals are with your Afghan Hound. For example, if you want to maintain a show-ready coat, then NEVER brush the coat when it’s dry. And if you want to maintain a shorter pet-quality trim for easy maintenance, feel free to brush a dry coat.

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Below I’m going to explain how I go about doing a couple of different grooming methods for my dogs, based on what the individual dog needs. But first, let’s go over most of the products I trust, highly recommend, and use on my own personal dogs. Each one of these products will be linked using Amazon affiliate links to where you can conveniently purchase them if you need to. I will try to stay on top of keeping the links updated and working. 

 

VFK 47' Inch Stainless Steel Foldable Grooming Table

You don’t have to use THIS table, but you want a table large enough to comfortably fit your dog at its full size. I wouldn’t go any smaller than a 42-inch length. Some tables have one adjustable arm, some have two, and some have an overhead bar. For especially squirmy dogs, the overhead bar may be handier than a single arm.

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Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush

Not all slicker brushes are the same. In the world of brushes in general, you usually get what you pay for. A cheap slicker brush usually has flat tips on the tiny stiff-wire bristles that can increase the likelihood of irritating or even cutting the skin. Higher-end slicker brushes typically feature pins that are cut with a less harsh edge, ergonomic grips, and more flexible pin pads to allow increased independent movement of the pins which aid the pins in gliding gently through the coat as to not break the hair. It’s also perfect for fluffing out the coat on the legs, providing a beautiful and full appearance. I’ve used lots of brands and my favorite slicker, without a doubt, is the CC Big G (Big G is the size and series).

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Chris Christensen 505 8.5 in. Fine Butter Comb

I use this as my finishing comb, after using the coarse butter comb, and I often utilize it when I find a tough matt that I need to pick through. It is wonderful for detail combing, and if you can pass this comb effortlessly through your Afghan Hound’s coat with zero snagging, you know you’ve just done a wonderful job grooming him.

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Chris Christensen 9in Coarse Butter Comb

You can opt for the combination comb, which is here, but I prefer have two individual combs. The Coarse Butter Comb has more space between each pin, and I will usually use it prior to using the fine butter comb. I also prefer to use it as my go-to comb between grooming sessions if I need to comb out a spot in the coat.

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Chris Christensen 20 mm Oval Brush, Wood Pin Series

I absolutely love this brush. This isn’t a brush I would use as a primary brush, but it is fantastic for distributing oils (natural or formulated) throughout the coat. The wood pins hold onto oils and pull them through the hair, distributing them better than metal-pinned brushes and with much more efficiency than when distributing formulated oils or serums with your hands.

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Kenchii Grooming Metal Pin Brush, Large

This is my go-to pin brush. This amazing brush features polished round pins that reduce brush burn and massage your pet’s coat to more easily remove tangles. It is FAR superior to most other standard pin brushes I have used, and its at a very reasonable price point.

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FLAMIA & JABZ Metal Stripping Stone with Wooden Grip (2 Piece Set, Coarse & Fine)

Stripping tools are useful if you want to have that neat saddle that stretches down your Afghan Hound’s back in maturity. Once an Afghan Hound starts to mature, they typically drop the long hairs from their saddle, leaving behind only the short coarse coat. If this is to be maintained and kept tidy, you will occasionally need to strip out any longer silky or cottony hairs that may pop up in the saddle. This can be done with your fingers, but it can be easier to maintain the saddle with the use of stripping tools. I prefer stripping stones over stripping knives, but experiment to find what works best for you! I recommend consulting with a professional groomer if you intend on trying knives so that you do not cause an injury to the dog. If you are close to me, I’d be happy to help you learn how to use a stripping knife in person. Or you could just use the stone lol.

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Kelco 50:1 Dr Hypo Shampoo Gallon

There are several shampoos that I like, but this is the one I always end up going back to as my day-to-day all-purpose shampoo. Don’t waste time and money on small bottles of shampoo and conditioner; BUY BULK. You’re going to need it. This particular shampoo is tough enough to do a good job of loosening and removing excess oil and dirt from the coat while being gentle enough to keep the skin from becoming irritated or too dry.

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Kelco 64:1 Ultra Silk Conditioner Gallon

The perfect companion to the Kelco Shampoo featured above, this conditioner leaves the coat and skin feeling and looking fantastic. There really is no need for further products after using this conditioner if you are looking for an expedited grooming method for companion dogs. This does the trick. And again, buy the large concentrate bottles.

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Bar5F 1 Gallon (128 oz) Pump Dispensers Pumping Caps

Obviously if you purchase the large bottles of concentrates shampoos and conditioners, you’ll need dispenser pumps to get them out of their bottles and into the mixing bottles (featured next on the list). Any dispensing pump for gallon-sized jugs will do, but I find that these are long lasting ones and its very rare that I need to replace one.

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Top Performance Mixing Bottles, 32 Oz

You will need these if you are mixing shampoos and conditioners from bulk concentrated jugs. The marked measuring lines insure proper ratio of product to water. Just put in the needed amount of product to the suggested line, fill with water up to the suggested water line, shake, and you’re good to go!

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Crown Royale Magic Touch Grooming Spray Concentrate, Formula One

There are multiple formulas of Magic Touch. Formula One is specifically balanced for fine-textured coats, providing a silky texture. Not all Afghan Hounds are the same. Some have lightweight fine coats, and those perform best when using specifically formulated products. The Crown Royale Magic Touch concentrates can be diluted into the spray bottle of your choice (I recommend Continuous Spray Bottles - Ultra Fine Mist) and sprayed over the coat during the drying process while you brush the coat. This not only further conditions the hair, but it prevents breakage of the hair by moisturizing the strands to promote elasticity. It also helps the coat dry faster, is a great detangling aid when you need to pick out any knots, and it smells fantastic.

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Crown Royale Magic Touch Grooming Spray, Formula Three

Formula Three of Magic Touch is designed for full-bodied coats, enhancing their natural sheen and fullness. Like Formula One, it is a great conditioning spray, coat moisturizer, detangling aid, drying aid, and lush fragrance.

 

PET SILK Liquid Silk Serum

This product comes in a small 2oz bottle if you want to try it out, but I highly recommend getting the larger bottles! Whenever I run out of this product, its obvious. Liquid Silk Serum is a beautifully aromatic (somewhat floral) oil-like serum that I lightly distribute throughout the coat with the help of the wood pin brush mentioned further up this list. It helps not only contribute to a long lasting silky finish to the coat, but it – in my experience – does a phenomenal job at reducing the frequency of tangles and matts in the coat and hydrates the strands to prevent breakage when brushing between baths. It can also be liberally applied to knots to help easily pick them out, then simply rinse that small area to remove excess serum and dry the patch of hair. This product contains large amounts of silk amino acids, vitamin E, and panthenol to moisturize, soften, and add shine to pet coats. *This product also contains cyclomethicone and dimethiconol. Both are silicones. Cyclomethicone is an ingredient that adds shine and smoothness to the coat and helps with detangling. Dimethiconol is primarily a static inhibitor but also contributes to the silky feel of the coat. Some people prefer to avoid silicones in their leave-in products because silicones can build up in the coat over time and start becoming counterproductive by actually contributing to matting and causing the coat to become heavier than it should be. These issues can be easily addressed, however, by periodically using a product that is just three items down from this one, so keep reading!

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PET SILK Rainforest Conditioner

This conditioner penetrates deeply into the coat, easily conditioning and strengthening the hair follicles and providing lasting hydration. I like to periodically use this product rather than the Kelco conditioner listed above. It also has a wonderful fragrance.

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Chris Christensen White on White Whitening Treatment Dog Shampoo

This product is an optic treatment within a shampoo, removing all yellow stains, and will also enhance darker colors by blocking stains that can make the darker coat look more dull or dingy, leaving a luscious sheen. It brightens and whitens the coat while maintaining the coat’s texture. The result is a stain-free, brilliant, dazzling coat that’s soft to the touch. It is a great option for puppies, and a must have for any white or cream dog. I use it on any white or cream places on dogs I show, and on the feet and legs of any white or cream dog that I have as a companion dog.

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Chris Christensen Clean Start Clarifying Dog Shampoo

With an enriched Pro-Vitamin formula that allows deep cleansing without stripping the coat of its essential oils, this clarifying shampoo is – in my opinion – better than most. It removes buildup from various products (such as the serum mentioned above) and leftover residue from the environment to restore natural integrity to the coat. Clean Start prevents off-casts and problems that impede the coat's inherent shine, health, and vitality. It is important to not use this product too often, because even though it is formulated to not strip natural oils from the coat it absolutely will do so if used too frequently. I use this product once every 5-8 weeks, and I gauge when it is necessary to do so by simply feeling the dog’s coat. After a while of using these listed products, you’ll get to the point where you can easily tell when it’s time to use a clarifier.

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Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda (in shaker bottle)

I don’t use this often. I like to keep a shaker bottle of this with me whenever I’m on the road for sporting events or otherwise taking a dog along with me on a trip that may involve them getting hot and running. If my dog has been active (ran lure coursing, for example) I like to sprinkle this product along the saddle and then gently rub the coat a little bit so it works down to the skin. This helps to not only slightly cool the dog, but it also helps absorb some of the dog smell that can sometimes get on them when they’re very active on a hot day, making the ride home a bit less uncomfortable for my sense of smell lol. It also very easily rinses out of the coat and has a clarifying effect that helps remove environmental or product buildup. Is it a required product? Not really. But have I found benefit in using it? Yes. *Overuse will dry the dog’s skin, which is one of the reasons I reserve this product for sporting event weekends.

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Shernbao High Velocity Professional Force Dryer 6.0HP (DHD-2400F)

Compared to handheld hair dryers, this force dryer reduces drying time by 50-70%, which is especially great when grooming large Afghan Hounds. The dual motor is rugged and is designed for large dogs with an adjustable speed dial from 4921FPM - 68000FPM, making it great for controlling noise levels for sound-sensitive dogs. It includes a flexible hose that can extend up to 8 feet, 3 different nozzles, and 2 air filters. It also comes with a 12month warranty and Shernbao is very easy to work with if you experience an issue, even after the warranty.

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Hands Free Grooming Dryer by PAWSROOM

I use this as my travel dryer, and it is especially handy when I need to free up both hands when working on a coat. It features two hoses; one that is flexible and loose, and one that is rigid and posable. It is smaller than my Shernbao, which makes it easier to travel with. It is also quieter, making it perfect if I need to use it inside of a hotel room while on the road.

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LOPSIC Dog Nail Trimmers and Grinder Kit for Large Dogs

This nail grinder has 2 LED Lights to help you maintain a clear view of the nail you are filing down, two speeds, 3 grinding wheels, and is none of the quietest grinders I’ve ever used. It comes with a really good pair of nail trimmers, a charging capable, and a travel bag.

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Miracle Care Kwik Stop Styptic Powder for Dogs

This is simply the best and most widely veterinarian-trusted brand of styptic powder on the market. It not only stops the bleeding if a nail breaks or is clipped too short, but it contains Benzocaine for pain relief.

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Zymox Advanced Enzymatic Ear Wipes

These wipes are so great because they contain LP3 enzymes; lysozyme, lactoferrin, and lactoperoxidase. These enzymes work together to create a natural antimicrobial defense against harmful microorganisms inside the ear, helping to prevent ear infections. But they also contain aloe, which helps keep a moisture balance in the ear canal. Wet ears are bad, but ears that are too dry aren’t much better. These are also great at removing visible dirt and debris and although they are fragrance free they can help prevent unpleasant-yet-common ear odors.

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Simply Soft Premium Cotton Balls

I know what you might be thinking; “all cotton balls are the same.” And if you are thinking that you’d be incorrect lol. Simply Soft Premium is made with 100% pure, natural cotton that is unbleached, additive free, and is ultra soft as to not irritate the skin. I use these when bathing by inserting one into each ear canal to prevent water from getting into the ears, because water in the ear can cause infections. It takes a bit of getting used to for some dogs, but most of mine are way better for baths with them in. Not only does it keep water out, it also lessens noise, which can be helpful for dogs who have bath anxiety.

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The Traditional Show-Ready Groom (bath, dry, oil):

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• Maintenance grooming is the key to this beautiful show-ready coat.

• Always bathe and groom your dog before it is matted. For most show coats this means bathing and grooming two (2) times per week.

• Never brush a dry or dirty coat. This will damage the hair. A spray should be used to moisten the coat before brushing.

• Brush from the skin out, using your blow dryer to part the hair.

• Use your fingers to find mats in accessible areas like armpits or behind the ears, then patiently pick at them, employing detangler spray or serum, or even a small amount of conditioner if needed.

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Bathing

A raised tub with a hand sprayer as well as shampoo machines and pump shampooer are great tools to get shampoo and rinse distributed evenly into the coat and skin. If applying shampoo by hand, it should be worked through the coat with the growth of the hair and never rubbed or scrubbed in. Rinse well until the water runs clean and apply a cream rinse. Some Afghan Hound owners rinse the cream rinse from the dog's coat, other owners leave the cream rinse in the coat. Any drying with towels, or moist magnets should also be done with the hair not rubbed. If the dog does get matted, it is better to work carefully on the mats after the dog has been bathed and heavily conditioned. After such a de-matting, the dog should be bathed and groomed out in the next two days to get out any loose hair and to recondition the damaged coat.

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Drying

You may wish to let your Afghan Hound drip on towels for about an hour before blowing him out with a hair dryer unless the dog has a curly coat and then he should be blown dry from very wet. Owners usually begin by drying the head and by blowing the topknot forward for maximum fullness. Then dry the show side concentrating on the curly areas first, usually the neck, chest, back of the front legs, etc. as the dog is drying, brush the coat in the direction you would like it to fall. "Training" the hair in this way does help if it is done on a regular basis.

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At shows or between grooms, always moisten the coat with grooming spray before brushing. Ears should be either wrapped or snooded while exercising on show days. Ears can be wrapped in bakery paper. Fold the ear hair inside of the paper and then fold upward to form a bundle. Secure with a hair band. Always check to see that you have not gotten the ear leather into the wrap by inserting a comb all the way through the hair at the top of the wrap. Ear leather that is caught in wraps can be badly damaged.

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Side coat on the boys can also be wrapped in a similar fashion or it can be clipped up with hair clips. Clips work best if they are placed close to the skin and close together but they must be removed before putting the dog away. Avoid using clips that have been chewed or broken, they catch on the coat and will pull it out. You can alternatively use bands for both the side coat and the hair that hangs down beyond the ear leather (NEVER allow ear leather to be taken up inside a hair band). If you opt for bands, I highly recommend this kit. I love it!

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Putting an Afghan Hound in Oil

• Alpha Keri Oil (Heavy) For Cottony Coats

• Nuetrogena Body Oil (Light) For Silky Coats

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After bathing and rinsing, dilute 1/2 to 3/4 cup oil and the same amount of conditioner in one gallon of water. Shake well and work into the dog's coat. This same mixture can be used with a pump also, which works the best to get the oil completely into the coat. To use the pump fill your tub with a gallon of water and add the same mixture of oil and conditioner. The amount of oil you need to use depends on the amount of coat that your dog has. Use a good body or bath oil. Oils work differently on all dogs, some dogs do better in a lighter oil (body oil) while others are better in a heavier oil. It is not recommended using baby oil as it seems to build up on the coat and to make the skin flake.

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The Companion (non-show) Groom:

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There are a few different ways to go about tackling a simplified groom for a companion Afghan Hound. Some people opt to ignore the above advise a dry brush the coat, thereby breaking the coat and making it shorter. Many people opt to trim the coat to a desired length that may be easier for them to manage. Whichever groom you pick, you'll know you have the right one if it helps you stay on top of the coat.

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My preferred method for a companion groom if I want to preserve a coat that looks somewhat traditional is to simply pick through a sprayed coat once a week to remove knots, then bathe once a month. You don't have to pay as close attention as you would a show coat, but the amount of effort you do put into the coat will be proportional to the outcome; greater effort, greater coat. 

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At a minimum, if you don't want to trim a coat short:

• Brush once or twice a week

• Use silicone-free grooming sprays (see list above) to lessen the frequency of matting

• Bathe (wash and condition) every other week

• Trim and/or grind nails at every bath

• Clean ears at every bath

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Nail Care

Nail care is an important part of both Health Care and Grooming Care. Don't forget to trim the dewclaws!

Nail clippers for dogs can be purchased at any pet supply store. When clipping, be sure to be careful of the quick which has a very active blood supply. On white nails, you can see the quick when viewed sideways, but on black nails, it will be impossible. Another option can be a rotary grinder with a sanding drum. If the afghan is in long coat, this can be difficult as the grinder will catch and wrap hair! To alleviate this problem, a good use of old socks is to cut a small hole at the bottom and put it on the dog's leg. If you're having trouble getting it on, put it on your arm first, roll it down and roll it up the dog's leg. Then, you can poke one nail out at a time for safe grinding.

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