East Of England Agricultural Society

Thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge, my excellent stewards who kept the ring running smoothly and to all the exhibitors who gave me the honour to judge their hounds.

It has been a few years since my last appointment and interesting to see how the breed has changed in that time, not only in numbers. One thing I was pleased to see is that condition has improved with better muscle tone on more exhibits than last time but I am still concerned about where we as a breed are going.

In my mind an Afghan is about balance and this is what I was looking for. Once exaggerations are allowed in, then we can be on a slippery slope.

I had two excellent open classes which were nice to judge and a few promising youngsters. Both my DCC and RDCC were veterans which just goes to show that our breed are late maturers and that we are lucky to have a breed where we can enjoy showing them throughout theirs lives.

Minor Puppy Dog (1)

1. MS R MULLEN - EL ROALITO KEEP SMILING (IMP DEU), black and silver 6 month puppy, still needs time to settle but has good proportions to head and dark eye, scissor bite, moderate length of neck, balanced front and rear angulation, level topline, good fallaway, ring tail, sound on the move but wasn’t too sure and had tail down. I awarded him BPD as I preferred his size and proportions to the older male puppy.

Puppy Dog (2,1)

1. MR M & MRS N EARNSHAW - SHADOWFAX RAKES PROGRESS AT MOONSHADOW – black brindle tall male, hopefully he has done all his growing. Masculine head with dark eye, scissor bite, good length of neck into shoulder, moderate angulation front and rear, deep chest, level topline, in good hard condition, correct fallaway and finished with ring tail, sound mover.

Junior Dog (8,1)

1. MRS A M, MR M, & MISS C LANCASHIRE & O'DONNELL - DRISHAUN FAIR AS A LILY JW – beautiful 12 month old cream male, your hands just flowed over him, correct proportions to head with dark eye and underjaw, dark pigment, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, good return of upper arm, balanced angulation front and rear, good depth of chest, level topline, prominent hipbones, correct fallaway, ring tail, sound on the move, covering the ground, in hard condition. This boy is certainly one to watch for the future, had him in consideration for RCC.

2. MR S & MRS E FINCH & HOPPER - ZANDAHAR XTRAORDINARY ME AT ZINZANI JW – Black and tan male, would prefer more length to muzzle, dark eye, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, balanced angulation front and rear, good depth of chest, level topline, ring tail, covered the ground with springy movement, well coated.

3. MRS A M, MR M, & MISS C LANCASHIRE & O'DONNELL - DRISHAUN STAR AMONG LILIES

Yearling Dog (5)

1. MRS A M, MR M, & MISS C LANCASHIRE & O'DONNELL - DRISHAUN FAIR AS A LILY JW

2. MRS A M, MR M, & MISS C LANCASHIRE & O'DONNELL - DRISHAUN STAR AMONG LILIES – Red brindle male, litter brother to winner, masculine head with dark eye, scissor bite, good length of neck, moderate angulations front and rear, deep chest, level topline with prominent hipbones, ring tail, sound on the move.

3. MRS A M, MR M, & MISS C LANCASHIRE & O'DONNELL - DRISHAUN PICTURES OF LILY

Graduate Dog (2)

1. MRS E & MISS I JAMES - SITANA AAG TOOFAN – black mask gold, masculine head and dark eye, prefer better pigment on nose, moderate length of neck into shoulder, balanced angulation front and rear, deep chest, forelegs straight, short loin, level topline, correct fallaway, ring tail, in good condition, won the class on his ground covering sound movement.

2. MR M I & MRS V A WHITE - SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND AT RUANNAS (IMP NOR) (AI) – cream male, completely different type to 1st, finer all through. Good proportions to head, scissor bite, would prefer a darker eye, low set ears, moderate length to neck, balanced angulations, good depth to chest, level topline, prominent hipbones, good fallaway, in hard condition, covered the ground on the move.

Post Graduate Dog (5,1)

1. MRS D ABREY - KARAGEZ TAME THE WORLD (IMP RUS) – black and silver brindle male, nice head, would prefer a darker eye, scissor bite, low set ears, moderate length of neck, balanced angulation front and rear, deep chest, level topline, good fallaway, ring tail, won the class on his sound balanced movement with springy action.

2. MRS T, MR P, MR R & MRS P GORMAN & LATIMER - AFFIETAR GLEN SHIEL AT ZHAROOK – black mask gold male, was abit unsure today. Masculine head with correct proportions, dark eye, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, good angulation front and rear, level topline with natural saddle, prominent hipbones, good fall away, ring tail, sound mover.

3. MISS P METCALFE - JO-KIN'S PINEAPPLES HAVE PEELINGS TOO (IMP FIN)

Mid Limit Dog (1)

1. MRS L NEWTON - SHIMALMA RUM RUNNER, red brindle masculine male, nice shape where your hands flowed, head of correct proportions with nice dark eyes, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, upper arm long and sloping, good balanced angulation front and rear, level topline, prominent hipbones, good fallaway, sound on the move covering the ground but he was abit unsettled and wasn’t using his tail to his advantage.

Limit Dog (3,1)

1. MRS N, MR S & MRS J SWAN & SCOTT - ARUSHKHAN DANCIN IN MY HEART AT AMBESHAN JW – nice masculine black mask gold male, correct head proportions with underjaw, dark eye, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, good depth of chest, level topline, short loin, prominent hipbones, good fallaway, ring tail, sound on the move, covering the ground with style of high order.

2. MR C S & MRS S S WINTERS - PASHTARI LORD TENNYSON TOKANDO JW – Black and tan masculine male, nice head and dark eye, low set ears, moderate length of neck into shoulder, balanced angulations front and rear, deep chest, level topline with short loin, good fallaway, ring tail, sound mover covering the ground.

Open (10,2)

1. MRS A & MRS E MATHERS & SEMPLE - IR CH CLOUDSIDE SUNDANCE WITH METEWAND – self mask gold masculine male who headed this quality class, 8.5 years old, your hands just flowed on this boy, not exaggerated and completely functional. Presented me with a nice balanced shape on both the stack and on the move. Beautiful head with correct proportions and underjaw, lovely chiselling to foreface and dark pigment, nice dark eye, scissor bite, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, good return of upper arm, good balanced angulation both front and rear, good depth to chest, Level topline into well set ring tail, prominent hipbones, sound mover, covering the ground with a springy action. Pleased to award this male the DCC.

2. MR R & MRS P LATIMER - ZHAROOK I HAD A DREAM – Beautiful black brindle 7 year old male who was RCC last time I judged and didn’t disappoint again today. Again your hands just flow on this boy, beautiful masculine head and expression with chiselling to foreface, scissor bite, good underjaw, triangular eye, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, good return of upper arm, good balanced angulation fore and aft which we demonstrated on the move, good depth of chest, Level topline, correct fallaway into low set ring tail. Excellent length hip to hock, just balanced all through. This male has a smooth springy gait covering the ground. I was pleased to award him the RCC.

3. MR W I MOORE - CH CLOUDSIDE FLASH STRIKE JW

Veteran Dog (1)

1. MR J, MRS V & MISS M CANNON - MULTI CH CALAMUS MEDIATOR (IMP) SHCM – 7 year old black and silver male, nice head and expression with dark eye, goof length of neck into well laid shoulder, good balanced angulation fore and aft, deep chest, level topline, good fallaway into ring tail, presented in good condition, sound mover who covered the ground.

Special Beginners Dog (0)

Minor Puppy Bitch (1)

1. J & T NOBLE & GARDNER - AQUA'S THE BITCHISBACK (IMP USA) – very promising 8 month old feminine black mask gold bitch. Have admired her ringside. Nice head with correct proportions, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, good balanced angulation front and rear, good depth of chest, level topline with correct fallaway, well set tail with ring at the end, a little showgirl with sound movement covering the ground, will certainly watch her career with interest, pleased to award her BPB and BPIB. She ended the day as Puppy Group 3 which is a great win for a young Afghan.

Puppy Bitch (3)

1. J & T NOBLE & GARDNER - AQUA'S THE BITCHISBACK (IMP USA)

2. MRS F & MISS A B NISBET & FORRESTER - PRAMYA HOT BUT NOT BLONDE AT FINIX (IMP FIN) – another promising youngster, both 1st and 2nd will change places through their careers am sure, black and silver feminine bitch, beautiful head and expression with dark eye, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, good return of upper arm, good balanced angulation both front and rear, deep chest, level topline, prominent hip bones, good fallaway with ring tail, this girl has so much scope of the move, there is so much more to come from her with maturity.

3. 1702 DR K & MRS M MACKENZIE - VILLISILKIN ALICIA OF EILTHIR (IMP FIN)

Junior Bitch (4)

1. MRS F & MISS A B NISBET & FORRESTER - ZANDAHAR XCLUSIVELY FOR FINIX – black and silver bitch who has really come on in the last few months, Beautiful head, eye and expression, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulders. Good angulation front and rear. Level topline, correct fallaway into low set ring tail. In hard condition, excellent length hip to hock, just balanced all through. Little did I know when I was judging this class that this young showgirl would ultimately end up as my RBCC but she demanded my attention in the challenge and won on her movement showing spring, extension and drive.

2. MISS L & MS C O'DONNELL - DRISHAUN FAITH IS LIKE A LILY FOR JAVIDAN - feminine brindle bitch, different type to first but very promising just like the winner. This houndy girl has a lovely head and expression, good length of neck into shoulder, good angulation to front and rear, good depth of chest, level topline, natural saddle, correct fallaway and tailset, in hard condition, sound on the move covering the ground with a style of high order.

3. MRS A M, MR M, & MISS C LANCASHIRE & O'DONNELL - DRISHAUN DON'T GILD THE LILY JW

Yearling Bitch (5,1)

1. MRS A M, MR M, & MISS C LANCASHIRE & O'DONNELL - DRISHAUN SAY SHE AIN'T GAZON (AI) – beautiful domino bitch, was really taken by this girl, I just loved her head, expression, dark pigment and dark eye, could look at her head all day. She has good length of neck into well laid shoulder, balanced angulation fore and aft, good depth of chest, level topline, correct fallaway and tailset, would just prefer a tighter ring to finish off the picture, moved soundly covering the ground.

2. MRS A, MISS C LEIPER & LEIPER - JONECA DYNAMITE – Feminine black mask gold bitch, good head proportions, scissor bite, good length of neck into shoulder, balanced angulation, good depth of chest, level topline, correct fallaway, sound on the move covering the ground.

3. MR J & MRS E VOWLES - NEYTIRI DE KOULANGAR WITH AZMARI JW (IMP FRA)

Graduate Bitch (2,1)

1. MRS F & MISS A B NISBET & FORRESTER - ZANDAHAR XCLUSIVELY FOR FINIX

Post Graduate Bitch (2,1)

1. MRS E & MISS I JAMES - GILARI VERMILLION VENUS JW – shaded masked gold bitch with correct head proportions, nice dark eye, scissor bite, good length of neck into shoulder, balanced angulation fore and aft, good depth of chest, level topline, correct fallaway and tail set, moved soundly covering the ground.

Mid Limit Bitch (3,1)

1. MRS L NEWTON - SHIMALMA MIDNIGHT LIAISON – silver brindle bitch, lovely head and expression, nice dark eye, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, nice return to upper arm, deep chest, good balanced angulation, level topline with prominent hipbones, good fallaway and correct tail set, sound mover covering the ground with ease.

2. MS M GIZEWSKA - SAXONMILL ZAN ZAN – feminine black and tan bitch, beautiful head with correct proportions, nice dark eye, scissor bite, good underjaw, low set ears, good length to neck into well laid shoulder, good depth of chest, level topline, just prefer abit lower tail set, sound mover covering the ground.

Limit Bitch

1. MRS R HALL - SAXONMILL MIRROR MIRROR – feminine black and tan bitch, lovely head of correct proportions with dark eye, scissor bite, good underjaw, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, balanced angulations front and rear with good length hip to hock, good depth of chest, level topline, short loin, prominent hipbones with correct fall away, correct tail set with ring tail. Sound on the move with a smooth springy action.

2. MR P M & MS N D ALLEN & MEDLAM - DAVASHEY FLORA BURN OF SAZAU JW – Black and silver bitch, your hands flow over this bitch, nice head and dark eye, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, balanced angulation fore and aft, good depth of chest, level topline, would prefer a stepper fallaway and tailset, moved soundly covering the ground just not giving her all on the day.

3. MRS B J & MISS T LAWSON-BALL & WARDELL - ANDIZHAN CHARISMA WITH ZARCAR JW

Open Bitch (6)

1. MISS M & MRS J HITCH & BARLEY - CH ZHIVIAS SUNRISE SURPRISE OF ZENDUSHKAS – headed this lovely class of bitches, black mask red bitch, feminine all through, her shape just flowed. Beautiful head, eye and expression, chiselling to foreface, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulders. Upper arm long and sloping, Good angulation front and rear, good depth of chest, Level topline, correct fallaway into low set ring tail. Excellent length hip to hock, again this bitch is just balanced all through. This girl is a showgirl with a smooth springy gait using all that was given to her. Pleased to award her the BCC and BOB. She was later shortlisted in the hound group.

2. MISS C & MISS A DOWD & MALIA - CH SAXONMILL LOVESTRUCK LUNA – beautiful red brindle bitch where your hands flow over her, she got better and better the more the class moved. She is so feminine with a correctly proportioned head, nice dark eye, chiselling to foreface, good length of neck into well laid shoulders, good return of upper arm, good depth of chest, level topline with short loin, correct fallaway and tailset with ring tail. She is a sound mover, covering the ground with ease.

3. MS C & MRS V GUNN & CANNON - LUX CH AMAL SALANG HEY I'M THE STAR AT ZUSHKHAN (IMP)