My first assignment in the UK couldn’t have been more fitting in every way. I had an excellent tour guide in Michael Lancashire who from the time he greeted me at customs till the end of the show saw to my every need. Nearly 100 entries of my lifelong breed… A picturesque setting on the Lancashire’s’ Drishaun property and a bright, sunny day with the requisite cool breeze to properly judge this magnificent breed. I had the most wonderful stewards to keep me moving: Liz Vowles & Peter Wright were my ring stewards and Ky (Virgo) Osbourne was my unofficial videographer and keeper of the I-pad with my priceless images! They all deserve an award for the task they may or may not have volunteered for.

The massive ring was perfect for all the bitches to “show me what they got” and I’m sure anyone in attendance could understand the importance of a certain carriage and movement I feel is characteristic of the breed. My hearty exhibitor’s performed well and were quick to indulge me for/of my request to see their entry at a collected trot when gaiting and an unassisted free stack when requested. I was very impressed with the natural presentation of the breed and the UK might be the last holdout to resist the current FAD of excessive trimming and sculpting of the Afghan Hound which violates the Standard in most every printed Standard in/of the world. I have been ringside for many years at some of England’s major events and have seen various levels of quality over the years. My entry was varied enough to reflect the current status of the breed as the scope and range of type was pleasing and I think reflective of the last decade of imports that have added some much needed vitality to your stock without losing the classic line(s) of the British Afghan Hound. I was more impressed than I might have expected to be…

…In the final Ticket Award Class…I stood back and was extremely pleased with what I had in front of me to select from. Every class winner had quality and on any given day the awards may have been different. To say the final nod came down to “splitting hairs” sums it up best!

And my winners were:

Veteran Bitch: 5 (2 abs)

1. Ch/IR. CH Alouan Hot N Spicy At Orashan JW: A very elegant B/M Red with nicely chiseled head, strong/long neck blended into a proper short hard back. A square outline, set under well in front and proper bend behind with short hocks and a pleasing saddle that came low into her body coat…a bit more ring to the tail would complete the picture as she had an easy lofty gait on the move.

2. CH. Birkhall Sophia: A Blk/Tan with an exquisite coat…maybe too much of it if the truth be told. Pleasing head, eye and expression. Good neck to shoulder that was well under her…her backline might have been firmer and more angle of the croup would have been preferred. She had a lovely ring tail which she kept to herself most of the time. The footfall was in place but the rear action lacked some “power “which as a veteran allows for some leeway.

3. Freecloud Limonta: Black mask silver – Shown in lovely condition with a nice silky coat and mature saddle. Good head properties and well angled front and rear. More leg and shorter coupling would balance her outline.

Minor Puppy Bitch: 8 (none absent) – an overall strong class of promising young stock.

1. Alouann Wishes N Dreams: White: A well sized girl for this age with depth and angles. A long lean head, almond eye. Good reach of neck, well-set front, and solid back for the age, nice long ringed tail. Her long legs gave her a good stride on the move.

2. Alouann Glitz N glamour: Brindle. A close decision here as this bitch had better size and a nice square shape with crisp details. Elegant head with dark eyes well shaped and a nice “roman” appearance. She was of the “age of forgiveness” for fullness and a bit more range of motion when gaiting than the winner….but that can/may change with maturity.

3. Alouann Diamonds N Pearls with Purple Queen: Brindle. Very close to the make and shape of the second (All three littermates!) a bit more exuberance made it a challenge on the stack, but the hand found nice angles, short hocks, and her head was beautiful.

Puppy Bitch: 5 (none absent)

1. Alouann Red Hot N Sassy At Tico: Brindle and another litter mate to previous class winners. This beautiful bitch had type, balance, movement in spades. I could catch her at a moment when she might have been too relaxed but everything pulled up when on the move. Very typical of the development at this age. What will never change is her squareness, the chiseled head, the darkest eyes, the croup, the tail and short hocks…My eventual Best Puppy: also note: every puppy I judged had such wonderful temperament.

2. # 2 from Minor Puppy.

3. Sumahari Raven For Sazau. Black. Such a well-made firm puppy. Big puppy coat masked a nice head under all the fuzz and a body with good angulation. It took a few rounds to level off on the move, and then her reach and drive became evident.

Junior Bitch: 17 ( 2 abs): A large and very competitive class. Both my CC & RCC came from this class.

1. Syrdsrya Malted Milk At Wilbus JW: B/M Silver. It’s easy when you have a single standout in any class…but to have to stand out among a good many excellent competitors is no easy task. What “stood out” most to me was the fact this bitch and her handler did nothing at all to stand out!…they just had a great time between the two of them and now it’s known that did not go unnoticed. Key to me in the breed is the ability to maintain a proper outline both standing and moving. This bitch never failed to hold a beautiful shape on both counts. And I did try to find a moment when things might have revealed a weak moment…never happened!…that my friend is the mark of a great one! She had a beautiful head with dark eyes and I loved it when I found under the natural frill of hair on her muzzle there was an under jaw. Her neck was arched and flowed smoothly into shoulders that were set under and supported by large feet. Her backline never faltered, her rear had angulation without having to be pulled out far. Her croup was a bit hidden under hair that was not prematurely removed. If I could change one thing on her it would be a bit lower tail set…but the tail itself was long, ringed and always at full attention when on the move. I was most impressed by her consistent action that was supported by perfect smooth and springy reach and drive coupled with the highest degree of soundness and an attitude that defied anyone to ignore her. (CC Winner)

2. Davashey And Proud Of It JW: Red brindle. An upstanding hound with great bursts of power. A wonderful square outline with strong neck and a hard back with a very strong loin. Her depth of body blended with a good tuckup…her croup and tail: text book! Short hocks and a good turn of stifle gave her a powerful drive. Had the front assembly been a tiny bit more in sync I might not have had some concern on the movement not being in total balance. This bitch pushed every button on the ‘Strength and Power” scale for me. An Afghan Hound must combine their beauty with a degree of athleticism and she most certainly did/does.( Res. CC Winner)

3. Scaramis Oops I Did It Again At Tolah: Red Brindle. This houndy bitch had many of the same elements that attracted my attention as my second place bitch. The small differences were in coat (a beautiful sleek patterned bitch) and degree of ranginess. Another easy mover with great power and the requisite reach and drive.

This class had noteworthy placements all the way down past 5th.

Yearling Bitch: 9 (1 abs) This class may have been my most diverse with a wider spectrum in type.

1. Khorinya’s Niccolo: B/M Red. A youthful bitch with good elements of type. Long lean head, dark eye pleasing. My hands could/did find a well-constructed body that at times managed to sync up to the desired degree of coordination on the move. She had large feet, well set front and muscular loin. A long tail but a firmer ring would have completed the picture.

2. Calahorra From The Vienne Woods: Blk/Tan. I liked this bitch for her good square proportions. She had a pleasing head in every regard. The neck to shoulder missed some smoothness as she was a lean bitch and might have benefited from more muscle mass. The topline and rear assemble very correct and well detailed. Ringed tail and short hocks. Easy mover with great style. More power might have added to her gait for me.

3. Alaqadar La Centerfold Of Shadowfax JW: Sliver brindle. A bitch presented in beautiful condition both in coat and muscle. I was impressed by her strong movement but her size overpowered my penchant for femininity (in this class). The little extra length she carried may have added to the big stride but the other’s standing before her in the end were given preference for being more typically feminine to me.

Novice Bitch: 5

1. Zharook Dream A Little Dream At Clenagh: Brindle. This was a additional entry which I had the pleasure to judge in the very competitive Junior Class. Her good form and construction brought her to the head in this class. She had a stronger, rather than refined head with good planes and under jaw…neck, shoulder and body in place….well bend behind w/short hock and easy movement. A large amount of coat of good texture present.

2. Jazzmeenah Majyk Memoreez: Blk/Wht grizzle. A strikingly marked bitch with a youthful appearance. Basic good construction but more refinement in some of the head properties desired. Good fit of neck to shoulder and a nice ringed tail completed the picture. Some issues on the move due to resistance to the lead maybe…but overall excellent character.

3. Pahlevi Dynasty: Blk/Tan. Another well-conditioned bitch with proper elements of type. Well angulated fore and aft but a bit more leg would add to a desired square outline.

Graduate Bitch: 4 (1 abs)

1. AltsideMaking Whoopee: B/M Red. A very assertive bitch with a great big stride. Size was evident but her head was very pleasing as was the patterned coat, large feet, square outline, excellent croup and tail. Not sure if it was the age or the day…but her exuberance compromised her lateral action and while I understand “with Reach you get Risk” I was distracted by the range of motion which was most evident on the up and back. This bitch will have her day I’m sure.

2. Khatira Briseis At Mickcals: B/M Red. Another well-made patterned bitch with good type. Head, neck, shoulder all in place. Nice square outline but carrying a bit more weight which covered her hipbones.

3. Sitana Joshila JW: B/M Silver. Close in every respect to the second for type. More length of body made the decision of placements.

Post Graduate Bitch: 9 (2 abs)

1. Jazzmeenah Artemis With Charjabhan: B/M Silver. OK…so...if ever I was able to pick the one I’d take home…”This would be my Bitch”…but then I have to underscore that as a judge I have a responsibility to the Standard to select the dog(s) that conform closest overall…But this beautiful creature had every element of the breed for glamour and elegance. I could look at her all day…I loved her proportions of leg to body. The head, eye, perfection…a strong arched neck into well set shoulders with a tidy rear, short hocks and ringed tail…where she came up short was on the move…I saw fleeting moments of ease and elevation, but it wasn’t consistent enough for me to get her to the top (she was one of the final four for the ticket). I wish I was an easier judge to be swayed by her beauty alone….give me a few more years…that might change!

2. Sumahari Flowering Peach Goto Ifmaraf JW: Dark Slate/Blue/Black. I found this bitch very well made under a large coat that has yet to drop all the puppy texture. Head was decidedly female and/but more underjaw would not have compromised that…excellent neck, shoulder, topline, croup & tail…her footfall was strong and direct…the decision in the class fell to a moment of reticence when it mattered most. The breed need not gush over me...but I expect them to stand their ground with confidence unless focused on something more urgent.

3. Miamarna Look To Your Dreams: Brindle. At first glance “Horningsea” popped into my head…this bitch had the look of “Tiger’s Eye” in a female version. Classic head with dark points and a long muzzle sporting a lovely roman appearance to it. The neck, shoulder and rear all worked well to support good movement. A stronger backline would have pleased me more.

Mid Limit Bitch: 9 (all present)

1. Karandikar My Serenade: Blk/Tan. From tip of nose to tip of tail this bitch had some very beautiful details. Head: Long and elegant, neck long and strong, Big feet , big silky coat and well angled croup with a long ringed tail…all this gave her a good open gait that won her the class in the end.

2. Khamis Silk Road: Silver brindle. Very well off for type and balance of outline. A beautiful correct silky coat texture. Head planes ever so slightly divergent for me and I point away from that more so than most I’m afraid.

3. Cloudside Empress Octavia: Red brindle. Well-made overall. I would have squared her up a bit and taken off a pound or two…still showed good movement but more refinement would blend well with the good construction.

Limit Bitch: 13(all present) Another very competitive class.

1. Altside Majestic Nina To Sade: Steel Blue. I surprised myself with the results of this class. It’s great to have such depth and in the end I allowed movement and performance to define the final decision between good examples of the breed. This bitch was beautifully made in all respects. Every prerequisite in place. Long yet lady like head, good fit neck to shoulder, croup, tail, and feet all there…what won her the class in the end was her strong movement. She had a big stride that was matched by a big heart and her determination literally won it for her. To those who might not judge…these are special, exciting moments if you allow them in. I do and make no excuse for “Judging in the moment”…it’s the only way one can…good dogs deserve to be rewarded for those special moments as well.

2. Scented Britta Steffan Khorinya’s: Pure White. Another one on the “I’ll take you list”…she had an air about her that defined the standard for “dignity”. Dogs like this are hard to critique because most everything is there…the painful point came when an Afghan Hound has too rise to the occasion of competition as well as being a great specimen to breed down from.

3. Shimalma Mandarin Magic: Deep Red. Such an interesting bitch that caught my eye at the start. Under a mantle of beautiful coat was a good form in front and rear properties. I had some issue with the head planes but her movement carried her in this good class.

Open Bitch: 11 (2 abs)

1. Ch. Cloudside Flashdance: B/M Red. If I’m not mistaken this bitch was a late arrival to my ring and I missed any first impression. I guess the way she was made didn’t need a preview! She had such nice angles to the front, the neck, the rear…she was athletic and that made for a very “fit” frame….her movement was easy, open and free. Add a wonderful attitude with a tail on up…and that made her first in a good class.

2. Ch. Saxonmill Midnight Majic JW: Blk/Tan. More beautifulness in this mature bitch. Very elegant standing and moving. Her chiseled head was long and parallel. Her neck long and fit into her front well…short where she should be and a well angled croup that carried a distracting tail…it was a tight ring but the tail lacked firm definition or a fringe…just something that drew my eye to it...and sometimes the first thing your eye is drawn to might not be the thing you want to see first….her footfall was fine and presented well.

3. Azmari Black Onyx At Temenshu: Blk/Tan. Very close in type, conformation and movement to the second place. So well made for construction and many would favorably consider her sound qualities as a plus for breeding. I liked her even temperament and big movement.

Well…there you have it! I trust this will help explain my placements. I found the huge entry to be on par with any assignment I have ever judged. I place this experience in the top five for me…but I did notice one thing lacking in the entry….Where were all the typy black bitches??? Is it possible the exhibitors in the UK didn’t know I won an awful lot with one...or two or three???? I don’t think I had more than 5 out of 96 entered…just an observation. I had a great time!

Judge: Mr. Michael Canalizo

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