I would like to thank the Yorkshire Afghan Hound Society for asking me to  judge dogs at their 27th Championship Show. The spectacular venue on the grounds of Carlton Towers was matched by the most glorious weather making it one of the most beautiful dog shows I have  ever attended. But it was the warmth of the committee, Mike and Avril Lancashire, Hazel Arrish, and last but certainly not least Sue and Mick Virgo and her entire family that made the experience a highlight not just of my dog showing years, but of  my entire life. Thank you all very much.    The  entry of Afghan Hounds was  quite varied as is true anywhere in the world. In my judging, I tried to find the hounds that held their own, both standing and moving. A great Afghan Hound must look, move and act its part.     Veteran Dogs: 1) Ch. Shadowfax Stepnoi Veter.  Cream. Square, proper size hound. Elegant yet masculine. Ground covering gait. w/ correct carriage. Silky coat. Could be a bit stronger going  away.) Bellapais Kimani Hrhashid. Sable dog. Balanced, square.  Ground covering gait. Heavier in backskull than I prefer. Bushy tail.  Minor Puppy Dogs: 1) Saxonmill Midnight Cowboy.  Black Mask Sable. Square masculine pup. Strong  but pleasing head. Would prefer a darker eye .    Ring tail. Good bone. This puppy was a standout with his positive mental attitude and  ease of movement. 2) Ritzina Firestorm. Cream. Beautiful to go over: great flow of neck/shoulder/back. Needs better carriage, but probably inexperience. Need more refinement and exotic look in head.  PUPPY DOGS 1). Rydbergs Beyond All Limits For Tolah. Blk mask red. Tall dog of classic type. Lovely head. High stationed . Well angulated. Goes high  behind, but that may be growth spurts. 2) Finix Treg.Blk/Tan. Huge movement. Propelled by strong driving rear. Prefer more refinement in head and shorter in loin.  JUNIOR DOGS. 1) Istani Father McKenzie. Self masked brindle. Not a pretty dog but an exotic hound.Typical, but rare, "monkey gait": springy and come off his feet. Would  prefer more refinement in head  and set under in front. A very interesting dog.  2) Istani Major Tom.Highly marked blk/tan. Also has springy monkey gait. More refined in head. Not as good in shoulder fit and coming at you. Also of  good quality. YEARLING DOGS 1). Cubana Regulus. Shaded  masked gold. Houndy masculine dog. Proper size and bone.  Good temperament.  Good underjaw but would like more refinement in backskull and darker eye.     A bit long cast, and can go high behind. Lovely hip bones/croup and ring tail. Great going away and from the side. Another interesting young hound. 2) Altside Back to Black JW.  Black.  Dramatic tall dog. Gorgeous head and eye. Long neck. Proper silky coat texture. Good from the side. Can do peculiar things to his topline and tail. NOVICE DOGS. 1) Gezancol Pierre at Julam. Blk/Tan. Masculine. Pleasing head and eye. Good amount of body. Very good tail. Good from the side when under control, as he had a tendency to pace. Needs finish to coat condition. 2) Cubana What Dreams May Come to Gothika. Blk mask gold. Proper proportions. Good topline. Good neck/shoulder layback. Need to  improve on the come and go.  GRADUATE DOGS. 1) Afterglow Jefferson at Jazzmeenah.     Blk mask red. Beautifully balanced both standing and in motion. Refined and elegant.  I would like just a bit  more of him all over. 2) Afterglow Jumping Rainbows of Sofico. Blk mask red. A bit more assertive and masculine dog, but of similar type. Beautiful head and eye. Would like him shorter coupled . Tail  becomes sloppy and loose in moving. POST GRADUATE DOGS. 1) Javidan Dirty Little Secret. Bluing black dog. Beautiful type. elegant yet masculine. Gorgeous headpiece and eye. Proper body proportions. Right size. Good coat texture. Covered ground beautifully. He is his own worst enemy with his "touch me not"  attitude which he will have to overcome. 2) Jahadi Exus. Highly marked blk/silver. Proper proportions in body. He impressed with  his excellent movement from the side. Piercing expression. Could use more refinement in head. MID LIMIT DOGS 1).  Agha Djaris World Is Not Enough. Brindle. Proper size and balance.Beautiful eye and expression. Needs more underjaw. Light on his feet.  Good carriage holding his shape. Well coated w/ good texture.  Excellent rear action. Not as smooth in neck/shoulder/back transition as he could be. Good presence. 2) Afterglow Germanicus. Blk/Silver. Properly  size and balance.  Masculine without being overdone.  Lovely tail. Could be a bit more refined in head. Excellent movement on the go around.  LIMIT DOG 1) Shadowfax Ciao Sabbioso JW. Cream. High stationed. Lovely balance. Hard back. Good breed details of hip bones/croup. Elegant yet masculine.  Has an air about him. Light on his feet, holding his outline at all times. Looks as if he could go all day. Excellent head. Pigment acceptable for his color. Tail a bit bushy. 2) Cloudside Wardstrike. Cream/White. Exotic and houndy. Forceful male but not overdone. Beautiful breed details of hip bones/croup and tail.  Covers  lots of ground on the move. Needs  better carriage of head/neck and tail: he tends to look up at his handler rather than out in front which changes his outlook. A pair of excellent hounds. OPEN DOGS. 1) Ch. Saxonmill Rum Tum Rio JW. Blk/brindle. Powerful hound of great presence. More mountain than desert. Forceful head, but within proper parameters. Piercing eye. Great underjaw. Excellent neck and shoulders. Ring tail. Covers lots of ground with his strong stride. Can buckle a bit in the middle. 2) Chil. Ch. Rashid Ebn Hugo Von Haussman. Blk/Tan. Similar in make and shape. Equal powerful mover from the side.Became stronger as the class progressed. Not as pleasing in head or eye/expression