Midland Afghan Hound Club

Midland Afghan Hound Club Championship Show 20th Oct.2024

I was very honoured and quite excited to judge at this very Special 60th Anniversary Show and especially as I was to judge both sexes. Last time I gave CC`s in my first and favourite breed was in 2014, so I was very interested to see how and if the breed had stayed in as good a state as it was 10 yrs ago.

I was very pleasantly happy with an excellent entry of 114 from 107 dogs. Many stylish and elegant hounds and both line-ups for the CC`s were full of quality exhibits who could have been awarded the top honours easily.

The show had the best atmosphere and reminded me of the shows of past times. Lots of exhibitors and spectators who were very sporting , clapping enthusiastically throughout the day, adding to the fantastic organization by the caring committee who had really pulled out all the stops for their lovely show. Monica Booth, one of the Founder members had treated all the exhibitors and spectators to an amazing buffet which I know was appreciated by all.

Super to see quite a few faces from the past who had made a special effort to come and support this original old Afghan club. The generous prizes and lovely rosettes were also stunning. Many thanks to all.

Dogs

Minor Puppy Dog: 5 { 2 abs }

1st: Reed`s WAY UP PORTIFINO { IMP ITA }

7 mths brindle, very promising baby with a lovely head and dark eye, he is totally balanced overall with excellent front and hind co-ordination, lovely big feet and bone. Short coupled with good depth and level topline, excellent low set ringed tail which he carries correctly on the move. Best Puppy Dog, just my style , I liked him a lot.

2nd: Venter`s PHOENIX RISING A TOUCH OF FREEDOM {IMP DEU} NAF

Also 7mths ,taller, slightly more refined in head and substance to above. Black puppy who is elegant throughout with elegant head and dark eye, he looked great standing with nice outline and topline, not quite the layback and front of winner but has a lot of style and presence. Correct ringed tail with good fallaway and length of stifle with low set, strong hocks.

3rd: Sharp`s AFFYNEETA ABOVE AND BEYOND.

Puppy Dog. 2

1st: Sharp`s AFFNEETA ABOVE AND BEYOND,

Just 6mths white youngster from previous class, although still very immature he won this class with ease. Well balanced head and dark eye, super pigmentation, he is more refined compared to 2nd and I preferred his front, big feet , overall balance and topline. Still needs to settle on the move and get used to his legs but when he did get into his stride he had good side movement and style and has that nice springy gait.

2nd: Hughes` ISTANI BOB DYLAN AT FINKIME,

11½ mths black/silver, at first glance was my winner , he is obviously more mature and bigger overall than the baby above. Head lacked elegance for me ,good length of neck but would prefer more angle of upper arm. Well bodied with good depth , he is longer cast than above and not quite the topline. Good ringed tail and set. Preferred his side movement than watching him coming and going , but still quite a handful, nice to see bare pasterns.

Junior Dog . 4

1st: Gray`s RHAJIKHAN WALKING ON WATER,

Very handsome , upstanding 15mths dark brindle, I immediately liked him when he came into the ring and I was not disappointed. I love his head and dark eye, classic expression, excellent overall conformation and balance , sound throughout with nice big feet. Looked good at all times , keeping his topline well, lovely front and sweeping hindquarters with good length from hip to hocks, great front reach and drive behind from strong ,low set hocks. Easily the best and most settled mover in this class.

2nd: Appleby, Minchin,Edwards & Mulvaney`s RHAJIKHAN ACHERNAR`S RIVER,

15 mths brindle, litter mate to above and is so similar in many ways . Very stylish youngster who looks impressive both standing and moving. He has a very long front reach and drive behind and really needs a bigger ring and better surface to show his best potential. Same large ,well presented coat as his brother, just slightly preferred ribbing and tail carriage of above.

3rd: Phillips and Smith`s XENOS KAIZHAQQARI {IMP ITA },

Yearling Dog . 2

1st: Gray`s RHAJIKHAN WALKING ON WATER, as above.

2nd: Lancashire`s DRISHAUN BABY IN BLACK JW,

Nearly 20 mths black/tan, different style to above, masculine head and dark eye, lovely markings and chiselling, good length of neck into well laid shoulders, good depth and well bodied, correct fallaway, super ringed tail ,set and carriage, nicely co-ordinated hind quarters. Heavy coat which is immaculately presented. Slightly preferred the elegance of winners head and topline when standing but two very promising youngsters.

Maiden Dog. 1

1st: Kirk`s ISTANI OMAR SHERIFF,

11½ mths shaded masked cream, I liked his head and dark eye, excellent pigmentation, good neck into well laid shoulders, good depth and length, well bodied with big feet, prominent hipbones and good fallaway, nice bend of stifle and low set hocks. Still a little apprehensive today but moved well after he had settled, just need to watch his topline when standing!

Novice Dog .1

1st: Kirk`s ISTANI OMAR SHERIFF, as before.

Graduate Dog .8 {3 abs}

First 2 excellent exhibits that were difficult to separate.

1st: Harwood`s ALTSIDE TOO HOT TO HANDLE JW,

Just 2 yrs old shaded masked blue domino. Handsome , well chiselled head with plenty of underjaw, dark eye. Masculine throughout but still elegant with excellent overall conformation, he looked good both standing and moving soundly front and rear with big feet. Lovely topline and saddle and has an excellent spring in his step. Great side movement with nicely ringed tail. Lovely coat and presentation.

2nd: Lee`s ALTSIDE MICAH HOT PROPHET JW,

Just 2yrs shaded masked cream, lovely litter brother to above and when he first came into the ring he was my winner. Slightly smaller overall than above he is a very nice dog to go over, super front and hind co-ordination with great depth and big feet. Proper saddle with correct topline, short coupled , sound front and rear with good reach and drive. Another who was immaculately presented, I just slightly preferred head and tail of his brother but a difficult decision, an excellent pair, who will both go far.

3rd: Jame`s KATANGA CAPTAIN AMERICA.

Post Graduate Dog. 4

Another 2 who were difficult to separate.

1st: Gizewska`s SHAHFOLADI THUNDERBIRD {AI},

2½ yrs black/silver, masculine , well balanced head with dark eye, nice length of neck into well laid shoulders, sound front with big feet, short level topline with good depth, correct fallaway and nicely set ringed tail. Good sweep from hip to low set hocks. Lovely mover and just preferred his side movement with excellent front reach and drive behind.

2nd: Gilchrist & Maclennen`s KHAWARI PURPLE REIGN,

2½ shaded masked cream domino, slightly taller hound and another who at first glance was my winner . Excellent hound who is half brother to my first 2 placings in the previous class. Very similar in style and type he has an elegant, handsome head and is nicely made throughout. Sound front and rear with big feet, kept topline at all times, super coat and saddle that is well presented. Just preferred side movement of winner in the final run but he needs an outside ring to see him at his best.

3rd: Macmillan`s SITANI THE WINTER SOLDIER.

Mid- Limit Dog .1

1st: Roper & Moore`s SITANI THE KINGSMAN AT TEMENSHU,

2½ yrs b/m red, masculine well balanced head with dark eye, lovely beard! Adequate length of neck into well laid shoulders, strong sound front with big feet. Good depth and well ribbed, level topline with saddle. Has good bend of stifle with nice fallaway and good tail carriage. A bit of a roly topline on the move but a little less weight would fix that. Big coat that is well presented.

Limit Dog. 6 { 2abs}

1st: McLay`s CLOUDSIDE SUNKING,

7 yrs mature b/m red, gorgeous head and dark, oriental eye, another lovely beard. Very handsome male in his prime, looked lovely standing with the best overall balance in the class. Lovely front and big feet, short coupled with good spring of rib, level topline and correct fallaway with low set ringed tail, nicely angulated with low set hocks. Super coat and presentation. Sound throughout.

2nd: Lloyd & Webster`s VINDALOO BLOW YOUR MIND TO MONTRABELLA { IMP SWE},

2½ yrs black, slightly smaller and not as mature as above, but a real showman who has a lot to like about him. Lovely head and dark eye, good length of neck, sound front and rear and he moves with great style. A very nice hound and his handler really gets the best out of him, excellent presentation , just preferred topline on the move of above.

3rd: Mitchell & Smithson`s ZANDAHAR XPLOSIVE STORM,

Open Dog . 11 {3 abs}

What a super class with 9 Champions entered, a big honour for me to have such a quality entry, many thanks to all.

1st: Parsell, Beanland & Thornton`s CH. GEZANCOL NEVER SAY NEVER AT HARLEXTON,

Just 5 yrs b/m red, a great pleasure to go over this lovely hound, he has everything for me, I love his head and expression, he oozes quality and type, never stopped showing, he has a super outline , well bodied and so sound front and rear with great front reach and drive behind with lovely low set, strong hocks .Correct fallaway, ringed tail and such proud head and tail carriage. In very hard muscular condition and in grand coat and presentation. Won this lovely class and pleased to award him the CC and BIS and still so young in Afghan years !!

2nd: Thompson`s CH. DRISHAUN THE VAMPIRE LILY VIA GOTHIKA JW,

6¼ yrs b/m red, another very special male who is more mature than above , masculine, well balanced head with great beard. Lovely overall conformation with great depth and spring of ribs slightly longer cast than above with excellent front and hind co-ordination, sound with big feet, super heavy coat which is presented to perfection. Two lovely males who are both excellent examples, I just slightly preferred the head of the winner but so close and had to award him the Res CC.

3rd: Lewis, Bacich & Bacich`s AUS. SUP CH. AVIVA VAMPIRE TETRA { AI }

Veteran Dog .6 {2 abs }

First three quite different in style.

1st: Winter`s GARAMOND CLOUDBERRY FOR TOKANDO,

11½ yrs black/brindle, super old man, I loved his classic head and dark eye. He is well constructed throughout with great overall balance and type. Sound, easy mover, keeping his topline at all times, for me won this class with ease. Not as well muscled as his classmates but he excelled in type and at his age is a credit to his owners.

2nd:Appleby, Minchin & Edward`s IR/INT CH.VALKOR VRITRA,

7½ yrs dark brindle, heavier in style to above, he stands well with good front and hind co-ordination, big feet, well bodied with good depth, longer cast than winner he is a great mover and has a lot of presence, not quite the topline going around the ring. Excellent presentation and handling.

3rd: Latimer`s CH. JEREMIAH DE KOULANGAR AT ZHAROOK JW VW { IMP FRA }

Bitches

Minor Puppy Bitch . 2

1st: Fairburn, Della Rocca & Joy`s WAY UP BOMBAY SAPPHIRE {IMP ITA},

7 mths , lovely brindle who is litter sister to the Best Puppy Dog winner. Very, very similar in style and type to her litter mate, pretty head and dark eye, super front and hind angulation with big feet, well bodied with level topline. Excellent fallaway with correct, low set ringed tail. In the challenge for Best Puppy they were both gorgeous and like peas in a pod but the bitch just won my heart. What a lovely pair, will definitely watch their future with interest.

2nd: Traversari`s ALTSIDE BACK TO BLACK.

Only just 6 mths all black, very sweet baby but very immature compared to above. Feminine throughout with a refined head and dark eye, great monkey whiskers { I love them}. Although not as settled on the move today she has great overall balance and shows promise for the future. Good front and hind co-ordination.

Puppy Bitch. 1 { 1abs}

Junior Bitch 2 { 1 abs }

Only one present but unfortunately she was withdrawn by her owner as she was just so unhappy and refused to stand up. Very sweet pup and a good decision as I am sure she will improve with age. Good luck. Cook`s GRACE KELLY,

Yearling Bitch 5 {1 abs}

1st: Lancashire & O`Donnell`s DRISHAUN DON`T CALL ME BABY JW,

Nearly 20 mths shaded masked red, superb bitch who I absolutely loved, she has a lovely head, dark eye and excellent expression. Absolutely sound throughout and has great breed type, classic lines and substance. A little apprehensive at first but once she got into her stride she was unbeatable in this class. Great coat and presentation, nice saddle. Strongly considered in the challenge but had to give way to the more mature hounds.

2nd: Rhode`s ALAQADAR ARIODANTE OF SHADOWFAX { AI } {IMP AUS}

23 mths b/tan, slightly smaller overall with pretty head and expression. Looked good standing with nice outline and saddle, she is a sound ,happy mover. Preferred the depth and spring of rib of winner and not the maturity and finish today, but she has excellent style, good front and hind co-ordination, correct fallaway, tail and set.

3rd: Lorenzo River`s PRESTIGIOUS HOW WILL I KNOW.

Novice Bitch .1

1st: Shepherd`s JAZZMEENAH SURAYA,

Just 2 yrs b/m red, quite an old fashioned style who is rather lacking in coat at the moment. I would like a little more elegant head but she has a dark eye and a nice expression, adequate length of neck into reasonable layback of shoulder. Sound front with big feet, good depth and length ,a little steep in fallaway but has a good ringed tail and set. Would like a little more hind angulation, she needs to mature and get into coat.

Graduate Bitch . 6

1st: Lawson-Ball`s SITANA MYSTIQUE AT ZARCAR,

2½ shaded masked red, very pretty hound who looked great standing and moving. Good length of neck into excellent shoulders with sound front and big feet. Deep brisket and correct ribbing with short loin and level topline. Good fallaway with low set ringed tail which was correctly carried on the move. Good bend of stifle with low set , strong hocks. Sound , easy mover who kept her topline at all times.

2nd: Blessington`s RHAZMAKH PORTRAIT O`SUMMER,

Just 2 yrs b/m silver, well balanced head with dark eye, nicely constructed throughout, well bodied, she has good style and when eventually settled into her stride she was sound front and rear. Good fallaway and tail set, well presented and handled, just preferred topline and overall balance of winner. Difficult decision between 2nd and 3rd today, both nice bitches and litter sisters.

3rd: Moyes, Lockett-Davies, Shaw & Hunter-Ryan`s RHAZMAKH HEART O`SUMMER BY BRYELIS,

Very pretty b/t litter sister to above , had to give her a mention as it was a close decision between these two nice moving bitches.

Post Graduate Bitch . 6 { 2 abs }

1st: Scott`s ALTSIDE HOT SHOT AT ARUSHKHAN,

Just 2 yrs, gorgeous shaded masked gold. Litter sister to my 1st and 2nd in Graduate Dog and she is a top quality, classy hound, lovely head and dark eye, super expression. She stands absolutely true and proud with great outline, front and hindquarters are co-ordinated and she is a sound, powerful easy mover with big feet. Excellent coat. Won this class with ease even as she entered the ring.

2nd: Beavon`s ALTSIDE HOT GOSSIP,

4 yrs shaded masked blue domino, another very nice hound from this very consistant breeder. Full, older sister to above, slightly different style but has a lot to like about her. Feminine, very pretty head and dark eye, good length of neck into well placed shoulders, slightly longer cast than winner she has a level topline, lovely saddle with good fallaway and low set tail. Good length from hip to low set hocks. She really does have that lovely springy gait that we all look for in this breed. Not the best ringed tail but I really like her style and presence.

3rd: Gilchrist`s & Maclennan`s KHAWARI RASPBERRY BERET,

Mid-Limit Bitch .3

1st: Tanner,Tanner & Link`s RHAJIKHAN ATHENA OF ALEYAZAR,

Nearly 4 yrs dark brindle, refined head with lovely dark eye, love her beard! Good length of neck into correct shoulders, strong, sound front with big feet, good depth of brisket ,well bodied with level topline. Nice fallaway with low set ringed tail which she carries correctly on the move. Lovely sweep from hip to low set hocks which she really drives powerfully from on the move. Lovely coat , she was well presented and excellent handler who kept her over enthusiasm well under control to get the best out of her. Older full sister to my 1st and 2nd in Junior Dog.

2nd: Edward`s RHAJIKHAN AURORA,

Dark brindle litter sister to above, very similar in style and type and I very slightly preferred her head and at first glance was my winner. Looks lovely standing she has a good layback of shoulder but not quite the upperarm and ribbing of winner. Strong, powerful , sound mover with big feet, short coupled with good topline. Nice fallaway with low set ringed tail. Long, well angulated hindquarters. Lovely coat and presentation.

3rd: Humphrey`s AYOUBKHAN PORCELAIN DOVE.

Limit Bitch .10 { 3 abs }

1st: Bastow`s CLOUDSIDE MUINEIRA TO KARANDIKAR {AI}

5 yrs beautiful black, just my style of hound. Feminine head and dark eye, long neck into well laid shoulders and sound front, good forechest with deep brisket and level topline. Lovely fallaway with correctly carried, low set ringed tail. Good hind co-ordination with low set hocks. She has a lovely outline, well presented great coat. Stylish and sound she really flows on the move. Really hard decision in the Challenge but just preferred the style of the Open Bitch on the final run but pleased to award her the Res CC amongst some really hot competition.

2nd: Traversari`s ALTSIDE SILVERINA,

4 yrs oyster brindle, smaller overall than above but beautifully made throughout, pretty feminine head and dark eye, good pigmentation. Excellent overall balance and sound, powerful mover, front and rear. She has great reach in front and drive behind, pleasing outline and level topline, lovely tail and carriage, not as mature as winner or as in full coat but she has great style and presence and in good hard muscular condition.

3rd: Mitchell, Thornton & Smithson`s ABSOLUTE AFGHAN`S INDIA AT KARNAK {IMP NOR }

Open Bitch . 13 {3 abs}

Another super Open class with 7 Champions entered.

1st: Hedge`s UNSTOPPABLE HAPPY GO LUCKY { IMP SWE }

5½ yrs black/brindle, what a super bitch with a very apt name. I have admired her since she was a puppy and thrilled to see her at her best today. Pretty feminine head with lovey dark eyes, she is so well constructed and everything I like to see in an Afghan. She oozes type, quality and style. Great size and substance she is such an enthusiastic, sound mover with a lovely spring and I would not change anything about her. I had no hesitation in awarding her the CC and thrilled to hear that has made her up. Tough decision for BIS but the dog just had the edge going around on the final run. CC and Res BIS.

2nd: Dowd & Malia`s CH. SAXONMILL MIRROR IMAGE,

3¼ yrs black/tan, another top quality bitch who is slightly taller than above, she has a well balanced head and dark eye, good length of neck into well laid shoulders. She has a great front and big feet, well bodied with excellent topline and lovely hindquarters with low set hocks. Good ringed tail, set and carriage. Not the maturity or in as much coat as the rest of the older bitches in the line-up but she really looks the part standing and moving soundly with great style.

I was particularly pleased with my first 4 in this excellent class.

3rd: Gilbert`s CH. ALTSIDE HOT AS HELL AT AFFIETAR.

Veteran Bitch . 4 { 2 abs }

1st: Adam`s CH. ZANDAHAR JUST TIGER LILY JW ShCM VW,

11¾ yrs dark brindle, a real old favourite of mine who is still enjoying the show ring at this great age. Gorgeous head and dark eye, lovely hound to go over and she is still so sound and moving with great enthusiasm. In amazing coat and presentation, looked super standing keeping her topline well. Best Veteran and Special Rosette for the Oldest Veteran In Show.

2nd:Gizwska`s CH. SAXONMILL ZAN ZAN,

 Nearly 8 yrs black/tan, pretty feminine head and dark eye, although younger than above I preferred the overall balance and topline of the winner. Well bodied with nice big feet, correct fallaway with nicely ringed tail which is carried well on the move. Rather a lot of trimming down her neck which is one of my pet hates !!

 Jenny Dove { Judge}