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. Learn how to carefully removemats from your Afghan Hound's coat. This allows both hands free for brushing the coat dry. 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. Pick up the feet to be sure the bottoms are totally dry and pay special attention between the toes for mats. At shows, 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.