The Afghan Hound is tall, standing 24 to 29 inches (61
to 74 cm) in height and weighing 45 to 60 pounds (20 to 27 kg). The coat
may be any colour, but white markings, particularly on the head, are
discouraged; many individuals have a black facial mask. Some specimens
have facial hair that looks like a Manchu moustache that are called
"mandarins." Some Afghan Hounds are almost white, but particolour hounds
(white with islands of red or black) are not acceptable and may indicate
impure breeding. The long, fine-textured coat requires considerable care
and grooming. The long topknot and the shorter-haired saddle on the back
in the mature dog are distinctive features of the Afghan Hound coat. The
high hipbones and unique small ring on the end of the tail are also
characteristics of the breed
