The exact time and place of the Afghan Hound's origin is unknown because the breed actually predates written history. Many researchers believe that the Afghan Hound may actually be the most ancient breed of dog and likely arose in the area that is now Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan. These sighthounds were bred to hunt and were seen as a status symbol in the mountains of Asia. They did not become popular in the United States until the 1900's when Zeppo Marx, one of the famous Marx brothers, imported 2 Afghan Hounds from England.