RICHMOND AFGHAN HOUND CLUB SPECIALITY OCTOBER 26TH 2019

Many thanks to the Committee of the club for inviting me to judge at this big occasion especially as the show was incorporated with the American Afghan Specialty.

Carla, Erica and Ramon were there to welcome my husband Ian and myself to the host hotel, Founders Inn, Virginia Beach where I was invited to have a viewing of the huge ballroom where the judging would take place. Vendors' tables were being prepared and all the spectators' chairs were arranged around this great expanse of carpet which would be my ring at 8am the next morning.

Then we met with Lonnie and Pat Schwab who head the Richmond club team. I hope those in the team who were unwell have recovered.

The real joy of judging is getting up close and personal with my favorite breed which is different to making ringside assessments. It has always been my policy to keep my mouth shut while standing ringside. Some people say things which can be misconstrued by people in earshot. This can result in impressions being made of that person's preferences of color, breeding etc. This can affect their entries if asked to judge dogs fairly. I was so delighted with the size of my entry and I hope that was because I could not have any pre conceived ideas of the dogs' breeding. A lot of time and money is spent preparing an Afghan for a show and travelling to the venue so everyone deserves to have their beloved animal examined with due care and attention. New comers, especially at a club show must be encouraged so it is an enjoyable occasion. Very young puppies can be overwhelmed in a huge indoor arena such as the one we could all experience at Virginia Beach. They need a few extra moments to get used to this atmosphere.

My steward, Linda Deutsch did a brilliant job making me mindful of the time scale and also of the different award system in the USA to that at our UK shows.

Regarding the dogs, I was pleased to note there were less exhibits with really thin bodies. Once a dog is narrow all through, the movement becomes close from behind and the forelegs knock at the elbows. A hunting dog needs some substance from good muscle tone. A well exercised, well muscled dog is usually a happy dog, eager to please and cooperative in the ring environment. Handling skills in the US have always been very good, as I've observed over time. There were less dogs being tightly restrained on their show leads which was a relief to see. I only found one unsound mouth and that was rye. Teeth must retain a good size, small teeth come along with snipey fore faces. There were plenty of good underjaws amongst my exhibits. Ear sets are a little high and the pinnas not very substantial compared to dogs I've judged before. There were few dogs with back skulls that flared out and eye color was good with hardly any eyes with hawes which I hate as the oriental expression is lost. Eye shape, which should be triangular to almond shaped was almost the norm amongst the puppies and my main winners.

Getting on to front assemblies, I think we have a universal battle getting it perfect. Once a dog has this property of good return of upper arm to well laid back shoulder and the sloped springy pasterns it is so obvious to the judge. It then has to coordinate with length of hip to hock and enough bend of stifle to produce the push from low hocks and the bodies length to allow space for foot fall to be exact. Watch the dog rise, stretch forward and progress in action. Compare this motion with a dog lacking in those requirements and at once you have a winning dog before you.

It is easier to appreciate this in a less coated Afghan, so that is why I like to search through foot hair upwards to feel the pasterns.

It is still a mystery why we do not all have the same breed standard as a guide and we make some things more important than others. The tail is the most obvious issue. I tried not to get too 'tail conscious', but I am sure that it is the tail set and carriage that is more important than its ring. There were several dogs who had tails carried over the pin bones which is not good. Some tails were whip-like or crooked. Curved tails of adequate length and where the croup was at the correct angle I allowed, even in my top winners. My very top winner had a ringed tail. One could say that a ring tail makes no difference to the dog's function, but it is a peculiarity of an Afghan that makes it special. To have an otherwise beautiful functional Afghan that has lost part of a tail through an accident is another sad exception that I forgave as you will have seen.

Temperaments in the dogs were almost 100%. One bitch (I suspect) didn't like the patterned carpet, which was a pity, but a couple who were a little hand shy came together once away from the evil judge and running round the spacious ring. The breed is meant to be aloof and more interested in chasing.

Coat presentation is so good, the hair texture is so silky and hangs just so. Having the facilities almost ringside to have your dogs straight in to face the judge is a fantastic experience we in the UK don't get. Being able to enjoy the same bathing and drying space as the Specialty is great for a club event too. I realise how much work must have gone into making the combined shows and other entertaining events so enjoyable and I have so appreciated being a part of it all.

So here is my brief critique of the main class winners but with every bit of thanks to all the gracious exhibitors.

Puppy 6 months and under 9 months, Dogs (2)

1) AZARI RUZKA CHASING THE DEVIL'S TAIL
Bred by Irazbal, Hitchborn & Smith By GCH Cynergy's The Magic Of It All At Ruzka ex CH. Azari Ruzka Twilight Eclipse Owner Omar Toirac & Karen Irazabal

Substantial cream domino aged 6 months. Balanced outline. Pleasing head, good length of fore face, in balance to back skull. Not snipey. Good pigmentation. As I found in all this litter, he had excellent depth of chest, nicely ribbed with firm loin. Steady, light gait but with a tendency to weave with his hind feet which is not uncommon in babies.

2) DUET INISFREE BETTER BELIEVE IT
Bred by Owners By GCHP Agha Djari's Fifth Dimension Of Sura ex GCH Inisfree Duet Sirae's Silhouette Owner Louise Paulson & Lorene French, Anna C. Tyler& Alyssa Johnson

Attractive dark brindle of 7 months. Pleasing in profile, but not the depth of chest of (1) at this stage. Very leggy and loose limbed. Well set ringed tail. I am happy with a puppy that is allowed to be happy in the ring. This lad could turn out to be very nice, just give him time.

Puppy 9 months and under 12 months, Dogs (2) 1 Absent

1) ECCO DRAGONFLY ARIES CIEL ROUGE LA NULT
Bred by P.Schafmayer, L.Brown & C. Anderson-Smith By GCHG Aries Chanson D'Amour ex? Owner A. Dupont & W. Gosselin11 & P. Schafmayer, L. Brown

Leggy dark brindle sporting a gleaming saddle. Mature long, lean, bearded head for 11 months. Liked his expression. Reachy neck to good shoulder. Needs more upper arm to improve his reach. Tail carriage is too high which distracts from his other qualities. Great length from hip to hock making for a nice striding dog.

12 to 18 month, Dogs (6)

1) JABIR FORTY-FORTY BLUEPRINT
Bred by Christina Farrar & Gaspare Cassarino By CH Coup D'Etat Fast And Furious ex GCH Regimes Don't Be Jealous Of My Boogie Jabir Owner Christina Farrar

Only just over 1 year old, but looked older. I was immediately struck by the head carriage of this blue brindle. Beautiful eye shape in his refined well chiseled skull. Totally balanced profile with good front and rear angulation showing off sound side gait. He has adequate depth and spring to his ribs and well angled croup and ringed tail. Elbows firm on moving.

2) AGHA DJARI'S RICMAR RADIANCE
Bred by Stefan Bojeck and Nico Kerstgen By Agha Djari's Karkati's Comeback ex Agha Djari's Leontyne Owner Rick Martin

Very impressive black and silver, slightly older than winner. He is a natural showman, presented to perfection. Masculine without coarseness, well proportioned in profile. Maintained a pleasing profile on the move with correct tail carriage. No deviation going away and coming towards me. It was a close call between these two dogs.

Bred - by - Exhibitor, Dogs (4) 1 Absent

1) JOLIE BORROW OR ROB
Bred by Jason W. Taylor, Jennifer Taylor & Sylvia Krupp By GCH Elmo's Martian Chronicals ex GCH Jolie Palindrome Owner Jennifer Taylor & Pegi Berryhill

AND

2) JOLIE LIVE NOT ON EVIL
Bred by Jason W. Taylor, Jennifer Taylor & Jordan Glodich As 1) Owner as Breeder

These 20 month old cream litter mates stood out in this class. Being of moderate size and without exaggeration, houndy and workmanlike. Good in skull shape, enough underjaw and stop. Good pigmentation. Correct fill in to front with good heart room, well proportioned rib cage to length of loin. Adequate croup and acceptable tail and carriage.
1) has outstanding front construction of shoulders to upper arm, the best pasterns of the day thus producing the reach and spring required in an Afghan. Well done breeders!

American- bred, Dogs (1)

1) CRISTON ATHENA SHEKINAH ALYDAR
Bred by Owners By CH Shekina Stiletto ex CH Criston Athena Amelia Owner Christine E. Pinkston& Maryin Gilley & Leslie Stoffels

Very sound 18 month Black and Tan of powerful structure. I appreciated his perfect underjaw - don't let's lose this feature in a hunting hound. He has a strong neck to OK shoulder and level topline. He is short coupled with a strong loin. He has a well defined croup with pleasing tail carriage. He is very light on his feet.

Open, Dogs (11) 2 Absent

1) KINGSLEAH BLUE ICE BULLET
Breeder Gunillas Holmgren By CH Khaos D'Aram ex Kingsleah Harmonia Owner Yasumi Okada

This 4 year old blue dog was presented and handled to perfection. His silken coat on a frame both in tip top condition. Regal in stature, tall and well balanced. Powerful hind movement that doesn't overstep his front footfall. In the challenge for best of winners he was beaten by the front action of the less mature ' Bred - By' cream.

2) SINGH NAZIRA EVENING IN PARIS
Bred by Tonie M. RIchmond & Judith Barker By CH NFX Night to Remember ex CH. Cynergy's Midnight Maddnezz Owner Breeder

20 month old dark blue, compact and functional, free moving hound with lovely head and tail carriage. Well conditioned with correct ribbing and strong loin.

Winners Dog: JOLIE BORROW OR ROB

Reserve Winners Dog: KINGSLEAH BLUE ICE BULLET

Puppy 6 months and under 9 months, Bitches (3) 1 Absent

1) RUZKA AZARI THE ENCHANTED ONE
Bred by K. Irazabel & D. Hitchborn & K. Smith By GCH Cynergy's The Magic Of It All At Ruzka ex CH Azari Ruzka Twilight Eclipse Owner Mayling Lopez Silvero & Darla Hichborn

6 month old cream domino. Strong boned, well bodied baby that impressed me. Her skull structure allows for the oriental expression, with eyes dark and triangular, with a good muzzle and early signs of desired chiselling. She is confident, moving at one with her handler. Under her puppy fluff she has a well set shoulder with corresponding upper arm. Elbows are set nicely aside her deep chest. Good length of rib cage and square loin. Ringtail set and carried well. Hind angulation balanced to front. Once moving she holds her topline well.

2) RUZKA AZARI LADY OF HENDRICKS ISLE
Bred by J. Butler & R. Wagner & M. Szczurek By GCH Cynergy's The Magic Of It All At Ruzka ex GCH Google Me Of Meadow Valley Owner M. Messner & M. Leibovitz & D. Hichborn

Slightly taller and rangier that her half sister. Beautifully headed and with most of the qualities of 1) She appears reachier in neck but has slightly less upper arm - hence less reach. Correct ring tail carried well on the move. Nice hind angulation producing desired drive.

Puppy 9 months and under 12 months, Bitches (1)

1) JOLIE VESPERS
Bred by Jason W. Taylor & Jennifer Taylor By CH Sharja Sunset ex CH Kasban Vengeance Jolie Owner Breeder

Nice sized 10 month black with good length of leg and pleasing profile. Another with good length of fore face. Fair shoulder and front assembly. Very good topline and croup but slightly whippy tail. Enough depth of chest. Great length from hip to hock. A happy mover.

12 to 18 months, Bitches (7) 1 Absent

1) AQUA'S DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART
Bred by Sharon Ferraro By Start Cutting Trax Of Jhanzi ex GCHG Pahlavi Iyz My Tumi Owner Gerald M. Bazar & Tracee Elwess

Black masked red who is very mature for barely 1 year old. Impressed very much when stacked, her proportions were just right for me. Most expressive head, totally feminine yet with the build and strength to do a day's work. Sensibly angulated and performed as I expected.

2) AQUA'S LEAP OF FAITH
As above Owner Breeder

Black litter mate to 1). She also has a stunning profile. Skull correctly proportioned with correct stop and ear set. Good neck leads to well laid shoulder. Level back line and perfect angle of croup and almost ringed tail. Forefeet stand nicely beneath her elbows. Good bend of stifle and producing pleasing length of stride. Well done breeder.

Bred - by- Exhibitor, Bitches (7) 1 Absent

1) PHILMAR SPICEHILL LUCY IN THE SKY
Bred by Owners By GCHB Kamy Heir To Poseidon Of Spicehil ex GCH Elmo's Madonna Owner Lynn Dufresne & Teri Tevlin

All black 2½ year old. Tall bitch but still feminine and well balanced all through. Good shoulder, good back line with square loin, good croup and loosely ringed tail. Her chest has depth but would like more fore chest to tighten her front movement as she comes towards me.

2) VALHALLA'S MERENGUE OF LAGNAPPE
Bred by Dr. Libby Nesvold& Anna Stromberg By CH Anwar von Haussman ex CH Criston Chantilly Owner Dedra & Gregory Jones & Anna Stromberg

22 month black and cream with classic outline from head to foot. I like the balance of fore face and back skull in particular the prominent occiput and good underjaw. Strong neck to good back line and rib cage. Correct croup. Good bend of stifle and adequate front angulation. Once she settled into a proper rhythm her front and hind action corresponded well.

American - Bred, Bitches (2) 1 Absent

1) SHEKINAH ATHENA AMIRA CRISTON
Bred by M. Gillely & C. Pinkston & L. Stoffels By CH Shekina Stilleto ex CH Criston Athena Amelia Owner L. Stoffels & M. Gillely & C. Pinkston

18 month, smart, powerful black masked red. Her head structure matches so well with her body construction. Nice to see the low set ears which have good leathers. Long neck and well lad shoulders, firm topline and well defined croup. Her tail is long but I wish it had a ring to complete the picture. As she matures I hope she will just develop more fullness between the forelegs to tighten her movement approaching me. Going away is perfect covering lots of ground.

Open, Bitches (10) 2 Absent

1) WINDIGO WHEN STARS ALIGN
Bred by Deborah Peters & Linda Sue Zwirz By GCH Beaujon's Breaking News ex CH Windigo On The Wings Of Love Owner Deborah Peters

Beautiful 2½ year old white bitch. Wonderful pigmentation to emphasise the structure and expression on this hound's head. Excellent angulation to front and rear. Good fore chest and ribbing. Correct croup to well set tail. Best movement in the class, with good lift and reach.

2) KASBAN WHIMSICAL DREAM AT SORUBI
Bred by Laura Port Maudlin By GCHS Agha Djari's Fifth Dimension Of Sura ex Kasban Twilight Dream Owner K. Smith & D. Hitchborn & L. Maudlin

Rising 3 year old blue brindle. Houndy type with attractive head, well shaped dark eyes and chiseling. Adequate strength of underjaw. Good shoulder, good rib/ loin ratio then correct croup with good ring tail. Good hind movement but a little loose at front.

Winners Bitch: SHEKINAH ATHENA AMIRA CRISTON

Reserve Winners Bitch: RUZKA AZARI THE ENCHANTED ONE

Best of Breed Competition (37) 7 Absent

Best Of Breed GCH HIGH KALIBER'S JUST DO IT
Bred by Owners By GCH Mahali Arriva Sandpiper ex GCH Greatest Love Of All A Touch Of Freedom Owner Neva & Jay Johnson

This 3 year old black and silver bitch had to be good to beat all these champions and the additional class winners. I think she would look good on UK soil. She is powerful but feminine. Regal head and expression with black almond eyes, chiselling, strong underjaw and enhanced by a beard. Beautifully angled front and rear, huge feet with long sloping pasterns producing lift, drive and progression with ease and no flash and dash. One of 3 litter sisters in this class, each of them in great bloom. This winner just filled my eye today.

Best Of Opposite Sex GCHS PAHLAVI ITZ NOT MY FIRST RODEO
Bred by Owner By CH Pahlavi Puttin On The Ritz ex CH Pahlavi On Broadway

Glorious 8 year old black masked red in grand form. Perfect stature for the 'king of dogs'. He's unexaggerated, perfectly coordinated to produce reach, spring and drive. Carries perfect body weight, with strong bone and in hard condition. He has a wonderful expression- the distant gaze of a sight hound. It was an honour to judge him- thank you.

Select Dog GCH AGHA DJARI'S FIFTH DIMENSION OF SURA
Bred by S. Bojeck By CH Suras Hollywood Nights JC ex CH Agha Djari's Burlesque Owner Suzanne Neill & Jamie Souza Bartlett& Christine O'Connor

A great 7 year old blue brindle showman. Tall rangy male with tremendous enthusiasm in his movement. Long lean headed with typical expression, alert all the time. Lifts feet high from the rear and reaches well forward. Lovely tail carriage on firm topline at all times. Talented handler makes it all look so easy, but it's team work and bonding that gets a dog to this level.

Select Bitch CH PAHLAVI MARILYN MERLOT
Bred by Wagner & Klosson By CH Pahlavi Rhythm Of The Night ex CH Pahlavi Ain't Just Whistlin' Dixie Owner Dr. Patrick Turman & Jeff Bracken & Karen Wagner

Black masked gold 6 year old bitch. Slightly more refined in skull than my BOB but with equally good expression. I loved her stature and outstanding hind extension. She also possesses that perfect ring tail. Glorious coat texture, lengthy but not at all distracting. Beneath is the depth of body I wanted with length of ribbing and square loin. Delighted to see she carries the same kennel name as my BOS. Just my cup of tea.

Best Bred -By - Exhibitor: JOLIE BORROW OR ROB

Awards Of Merit: GCH GRAZIOSO JP VICTORY MOVER
GCH HIGH KALIBER'S LUNAR EPIC
GCH MAHALI ARRIVA STEPPIN OUT
GCH KAMY HEIR TO POSEIDON OF SPICEHILL
GCH CYNERGY'S THE MAGIC OF IT ALL AT RUZKA

Stud Dog Class (2)

1) GCH CYNERGY'S THE MAGIC OF IT ALL AT RUZKA
Bred by J. Butler, R. Wagner& M. Scoured By GCH Ruzka Azari Victory Is One ex GCH Google Me Of Meadow Valley Owner Darla Hichborn & Kathy Smith

Very useful sire of some quality pups on parade with him. Comes into his own when moving. His ranginess appeals to me. Aloof oyster brindle that is so sound in construction. Afghan throughout, tall, masculine and functional. I respected how he conforms to the breed standard.

2) MANDINAH KALABALIKEN I BENDER

Brood Bitch Class(1)

CH WINDIGO ON THE WINGS OF LOVE
Bred by Deborah Peters By CH Summerstorm's Beneath My Wings JC ex CH Elmo's Egyptian Star JC Owner Breeder

10 year old black and silver with 2 offspring. Very feminine bitch. Substantial body in good condition. Still in good coat.

The Afghan Hound Association UK presented BOB and Best Puppy rosettes. Best puppy went to the Reserve Winners BItch.