Bath Canine Society

Thank you to Bath committee for my invitation to judge Afghans Hounds at CC level for the first time. It was one of my most enjoyable appointments. I was delighted with my entry and the quality of hounds that I had the privilege of judging. Super, big grass ring and the weather was ideal. It seems a long time ago that I sat my hands on assessment, I very nearly backed out that day but Mark Cocozza, told me, just judge the dogs, nothing more nothing less and that’s what I have always done since. I judge the dogs on how I see them on that day. I was looking for correct construction and a dog fit for function with the desirable breed attributes. I found a couple of hounds were lacking body condition and just too thin, but overall, I was pleased with what I found. My open classes were a joy, and difficult decisions had to be made, some lovely young dogs coming through, which bodes well for the breed. Thank you all for coming and accepting my decisions so gracefully. I loved my day.

DCC Ch Gezancol Never Say Never at Harlextan (J,g,c,b. Parsell, Beanland, Parsell, Thornton.)

RDCC Ch Merrick Prince Charming Cloudside (Imp Fin) (Mr W Moore)

BCC & BOB Ch Saxonmill Mirror Image (Miss C & Miss A Dowd & Malia)

RBCC Ch Saxonmill Majic Mirror (Mrs R Hall)

BP - Cloudside Soul Prince for Jodak (Miss J & Mr M House & Hinchliffe)

BV - Ch/aust Ch Tahkira Affogato (Miss C & Miss E & Mrs B & Mrs L Millward & Millward & Ferguson & Race)

BSB - Pramya Keep Your Eyes On Me (Imp Fin) JW (Mrs S & Mr P Bellringer)

 - Veteran Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

 1ST- Ch/aust Ch Tahkira Affogato (Miss C & Miss E & Mrs B & Mrs L Millward & Millward & Ferguson & Race)

What a lovely start to my judging! This beautifully presented and conditioned male is a very handsome hound, featuring a striking outline, he was a pleasure to judge, my hands flowed over him and found a masculine head with well-shaped dark eyes with keen expression, a long neck, and a perfect firm topline. Sloping croup, visible pin bones and ringed tail. Well angulated rear quarters with lovely short hocks, which he used to move true in all directions with good head carriage. The presentation was first class, and there was a super relationship with the owner, who clearly loves to show him. I was delighted to see he won the veteran group.

2ND – Ch Zandahar Tartan Xplorer JW (Mr M & Mrs L Anderson) Bl mask gold, a dog I have admired from the ringside , such a classic outline. He has a super head which combines masculinity with elegance and good chiselling. Sound construction with a long neck, a well-made front, and a good return of the upper arm, which sets his front legs well under him. Long, sweeping hindquarters, a correct-set tail, raised in action. Large feet. He moved with good front reach; I just felt today he wasn’t using his hocks as strongly as I have watched him in the past. Presented & handled well.

 3RD- Cloudside Sunking (Mrs S & Mr D Mclay)

 Minor Puppy Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 0

Lovely class full of promising puppies, who I am sure could change places on a different day.

1ST- Cloudside Soul Prince for Jodak (Miss J & Mr M House & Hinchliffe) , Bl/ Cream quality puppy who has a lovely outline, loved his head and expression, long neck sitting smoothly into a correct constructed front assembly. Short loin and nicely angulated rear quarters. . Super short hocks, topped off with ring tail. Moved with considerable style and composure for one so young with noticeable ring presence. What a super coat he has coming through. He must have an exciting future delighted to award him BPIB

 2ND – Gezancol Hey Jude with Khatira (Mr S & Mrs E & Miss C Finch & Hopper & Parker), promising puppy, with an abundance of coat, under the monkey whiskers he has a beautiful head and dark oriental-shaped eyes. Strong under jaw. Excellent front with well-laid shoulders. lovely bone and substance throughout. Not as settled on the move as the 1st placed but still correct in his footfall. He has lots of potential and it will be interesting to watch him mature.

3RD - Cloudside Prince of Thieves at Johda (Mrs S & Mr P Bellringer)

Puppy Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1ST- Drishaun Consider This Baby (Mrs G Gardner), quality brindle baby, who is beautifully constructed and has a classic outline stacked. Lovely head with kind expression, chiselling under his eyes, good length of neck and correct body proportions, sloping croup , pin bones visible and ringed tail , very well-schooled and moved steady and true as his construction indicated he would. Correct amount of condition and muscle for his age. Handled and presented very well.

2ND- Chinzaes Tartan Higlander (Mrs S & Mr D Mclay) , Bl / Silver puppy, under all his puppy coat he is nicely constructed, well laid shoulders and good length of upper arm and return. Ribs deep and short loin. He was having great fun and with his brother behind him and not an easy task for his handler to control his movement. He is only a puppy and has plenty of time to learn to settle and his movement will become more settled.

3RD- Chinzaes Tartan Express (Mrs S & Mr D Mclay)

  Junior Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST - Chinzaes Tartan Rebel (Mr M & Mrs L Anderson), Bl / Silver puppy, he catches your eye in the stack with lots of breed qualities, masculine head with long fore face and strong under jaw, he has the best of fronts, sound construction, deep through ribs and good rear angulations. He has super short hocks and the largest of feet. On the move he showed excellent front reach just at the moment, I feel he needs to strength through his pasterns and hocks which will give him more control of his rear movement

 Afghan Hound - Yearling Dog

Entries: 3 Absentees: 1

1ST - Istani Bob Dylan at Finkime JW (Ms T J Hughes) , this young male has lots of promise , he is aloof in his expression and he is slightly vary at the moment but his handler works well with him to bring out many of his qualities , long neck , strong topline , hipbone’s prominent and sloping croup , long ringed tail , bare pasterns and large feet . He has a lovely spring to his movement but needs to regain his confidence to show off his abilities. He is raw but has time on his side.

2ND - Darling Boy Paul Ogrady (Ms R Cook), self-masked cream , still very raw and I would like to see more body condition on this young male, he has a masculine head , dark eye with long foreface. Shorter in neck, level topline. He moved steady round the ring.

 Novice Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st - Drishaun Consider This Baby (Mrs G Gardner)

 Repeat of Puppy

2nd Cloud side Prince of Thieves at Johda (Mrs S & Mr P Bellringer), This is another promising puppy, he was much more confident in this class, he has a lovely head and dark expressive eyes, with good length to foreface. Long neck sitting cleanly into topline, at that leggy stage at the moment and a little looser in front but I am sure he will trouble the rest when it all comes together,

  Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 8 Absentees: 1

1ST Shahfoladi Thunderbird (ai) (Ms M Gizewska) Lovely Bl/ silver male who was fabulously presented, with coat of silky texture. His head is elegant and refined with keen expression from dark well shaped eyes. As standard requires, he has a long neck with good shoulder placement. Deep through ribs and a short strong loin. Well angled rear that is correctly muscled, long from stifle to hock and strong short hocks. His coat and saddle have a wonderful sheen. On the move he was true and had good footfall. He is maturing into a lovely hound and should have a bright future. He was moved at the correct pace and it showed off his movement at its best.

2nd Drishaun Rock Me Baby Gothika (Mr R C & Mrs J A Thompson), Bl/ masked gold , A very balanced and handsome male , lovely outline when stood , masculine head with dark eye and super expression, long neck and well laid shoulders good return of upper arm and front legs sit well under him , plenty of heart room and sweeping hind quarters , he moved well , showing good reach and drive. Different in style to the 1st but another hound I was impressed with. He is only young and had lots of potential. His coat is of lovely texture, and he was presented beautifully.

 3rd Sitana The Winter Soldier (Mrs L Macmillan)

 Limit Dog

Entries: 8 Absentees: 1

1st . Saxonmill Majic Moment at Khatira (Miss C. M. Parker), an upstanding Black/tan male, who has so many of the attributes I was looking for: masculine, elegant head, dark, well-shaped eyes and a powerful underjaw. Correct length of neck which sits cleanly into well-laid shoulders. Short back and well-angulated rear quarters. He has super short hocks. I was delighted in the class; he stood and moved extremely well to win this strong limit class with his sound movement, good front reach and drive with a lovely, light, springy footfall. In the challenge, he made his handler work hard, sadly he would not cooperate and he let himself down, as he would not hold his topline on the stack. He has so much potential, and I am confident it will all come together in time. He deserves to be titled. Presented in a good coat of silky texture and handled well.

2ND Drishaun Baby's in Black JW (Mrs A M, Mr M & Miss C Lancashire & O'Donnell), an elegant Black/tan young male, presented in a superb coat and saddle; his black coat had a mirror sheen, and his musculature was one of the best of the day. This kennel who exhibit numerous dogs, must be congratulated, as they are all presented in wonderful order. This male was a delight to go over; my hands flowed. He excels in front construction, super fore chest and has a strong, firm topline, prominent pin bones and sweeping rear quarters with corresponding short hocks. Ringed tail raised in action. Head long and lean with dark well shaped eyes. He moves out confidently, demonstrating excellent front reach and powerful drive from his strong rear quarters. Very close up to first, whose overall balance won him the class; I am sure this male's title won’t be far off.

3RD - Sitana Moon Knight at Zalmeerah JW (Ms M & Mr W French)

Open Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 0

What a honour to judge this superb class. All worthy Champions.

1ST- Ch Gezancol Never Say Never at Harlextan (J,g,c,b. Parsell, Beanland, Parsell, Thornton.) Bl/Masked Gold, Such a balanced well-made dog. He presents a wonderful outline on the stack, substance and elegance in one. Masculine head with an aloof expression, punishing underjaw, long neck and well-placed shoulders, deep through rib cage giving plenty of heart room. Short broad loin, sloping croup, pin bones visible and ringed tail which was raised on the move, strong, short hocks and big feet. On the move he maintains his topline and shape and powers round the ring, his footfall is very precise. Presented in full coat and good muscular condition. Handled very well. He demands attention and today I couldn’t deny him the class and was delighted to award him the CC in a lovely line up of hounds.

2ND- Ch Merrick Prince Charming Cloudside (Imp Fin) (Mr W Moore). I was pleasantly surprised and delighted by the young cream male on the day. This is a dog who you need to put your hands on to appreciate his overall qualities. Strong and full of substance but still retaining his elegance, he looks through you with his dark, well-shaped eyes and long foreface with a punishing underjaw. He has excellent pigmentation. His front construction was superb, with well-developed ribs, elbows close to the body, a firm, strong topline, and a short, broad loin. Prominent pin bones Sweeping rear hindquarters and short in hock. His stylish movement was what I was looking for – it was smooth and springy, with a tremendous front reach. lovely head carriage. Yes, he is not fully mature yet and needs to finish, but I liked very much what I found, and he fully deserved the RCC in good company.

3RD Ch Syrdarya Darjeeling Chai of Simkhan (Mrs E & Miss I James), He is a super dog ,so full of breed type, It was a privilege to go over such a well-constructed dog.

Special Beginners

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1ST - Pramya Keep Your Eyes On Me (Imp Fin) JW (Mrs S & Mr P Bellringer), Bl/masked gold, she has a feminine head, dark eyes and a kind expression; she has a good lay of shoulder and a straight front, she is a little longer in body than my preference, has good rear angulation and short hocks. She moves very well, super reach in front and showing rear extension; I was delighted to see her awarded Sp Beginners group 3.

2nd – Shimalma Chambord (Miss A Watson) liked this 4-year-old cream male; he was very well made all through, with a masculine, kind head, a good fore chest and deep ribs. He moved steadily but kept his topline. He just needed to be a little more forward and confident in his movement.

3rd Darling Boy Paul Ogrady (Ms R Cook)

Veteran Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1ST Ch Saxonmill Zan Zan (Ms M Gizewska), such a worthy champion, has lost none of her breed type, such a feminine head with a dark eye and aloof expression and a pleasing length of neck into a well-made front. She is deep through the rib cage and has well angulated rear quarters with short hocks. Moved true but steady, holding her outline on the move, just dropping her topline slightly on the stack. Shown in excellent coat.

2ND Cloudside Sunset (Mrs M & Mrs P Fairburn & Roberts), another favourite brindle girl, she is an honest, well-constructed hound with a very nice head, long foreface and good underjaw; she is lovely to go over. Although she appeared slightly round in the croup today, she moved correctly and presented herself well. Shown in a lovely coat.

3RD Int/lux Ch Amal Salang Hey, I'm The Star at Zushkhan VW (Imp Rus) (Ms C & Mrs V Gunn & Cannon).

Minor Puppy Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1st Cloudside Whispering Angel (Mr W Moore), Black/Brindle, What a promising puppy. Underneath the abundance of puppy coat is a lovely head of excellent proportions. She has a super expression. Lengthy neck. Excellent front and deep through the chest, short in the loin, correct fall away and good in rear angulations, she won this class with her overall confident movement; she is a super puppy, and will watch her mature with interest.

2ND Sitana The Eternal at Lakarnadream (Mrs J M Dare), cream puppy; she has a lovely shape and outline, I liked her for type and thought she had a very feminine expression and dark eye. Balanced in front and rear angulation, and she has super short hocks and used them correctly on the move. She was steady with good footfall, just not the reach in front of the winner at the moment.

3rd Gezancol Finix Love Me Do (Mr C & Mrs G & Miss A & Mrs F Hughes & Hughes & Forrester & Nisbet

 Puppy Bitch

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1St Drishaun Consider It Done (Mrs A M, Mr M & Miss C Lancashire & O'Donnell), Black/cream, such a feminine puppy, she has the prettiest of expressions. Under all the coat, she is a well-made puppy; her long neck sits cleanly into her topline, short croup and visible pin bones, nicely angulated rear quarters. She was steady and true, showing good front reach. Another shown with just the correct amount of condition for her age.

2ND Gezancol Finix Love Me Do (Mr C & Mrs G & Miss A & Mrs F Hughes & Hughes & Forrester & Nisbet), what a poppet! She is a typical puppy Afghan with an abundance of coat and monkey whiskers. You really have to get your hands on her. She has a pretty head and expression, and there is a neck under the fluff, deep through her chest. She is a confident little mover who needs time to grow and develop.

Junior Bitch

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1St Way Up Bombay Sapphire (Imp Ita) (Mrs M & Mrs A & Mrs S Fairburn & Della Rocca & Joy)

Brindle bitch; I liked her very much for type and substance and not lacking elegance. Her head appealed to me; I liked her eye shape and expression. She also has a rather large coat at the moment, and it tends to hide her lovely outline. When she saddles up, she will look more refined. She boasts a deep chest, a back that is well-ribbed, and sweeping hindquarters with short hocks, making her a very promising young lady. She moved with good reach in front and carried her tail well.

2nd Pretty Infinity A Touch of Freedom at Pashtari (Imp Deu) (Mr. J. & Mrs. M. Bloor), a black feminine bitch, she is a lovely type of Afghan; and is very balanced throughout, with an attractive head with the darkest of eyes, good ribs, and a short loin with prominent pin bones. She just didn’t seem as settled and stood she was losing her lovely outline but she did move well, showing stylish movement. She was handled sympathetically and presented in a well-textured coat.

Yearling Bitch

Entries: 0 Absentees: 0

Novice Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 2

1ST Way Up Bombay Sapphire (Imp Ita) (Mrs M & Mrs A & Mrs S Fairburn & Della Rocca & Joy)

Repeat of junior

2ND - Drishaun Consider It Done (Mrs A M, Mr M & Miss C Lancashire & O'Donnell)

Repeat Of Puppy

Postgraduate Bitch

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1ST Sitana Moon Star at Zharook JW (Mr R. E. & Mrs P. A. & Mr P. & Mrs T. Latimer & Latimer & Gorman & Gorman), self-masked red, who has a classic outline stood and an attractive head with a keen but rather naughty expression at times, a strong underjaw, and a lengthy neck into a strong front. She was deep through the ribs and had a firm topline; maybe she could lose a little weight around her waist, but she moved well, showing a powerful forward reach, and used her rear quarters very well. She was shown in a lovely coat of the correct texture.

2ND Prestigious How Will I Know (Mrs A Lorenzo Rivers) Brindle bitch, who is slightly longer cast, has a feminine head, a long foreface and a strong underjaw; her front and rear angulations were balanced, and this helped her move well; she had an easy, smooth stride, showing good reach in front. On the move she held her topline well.

3rd Pramya Keep Your Eyes On Me (Imp Fin) JW (Mrs S & Mr P Bellringer)

Limit, Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1ST Karagez Kartina Maslom at Zushkhan (Imp Rkf) (Ms C & Mrs V Gunn & Cannon) Black/tan Stylish bitch, I liked her outline in profile; she has balanced head proportions, a dark eye with a keen expression, and a pleasing underjaw. Lengthy neck sitting well into the topline, long sloping shoulders and well-ribbed back, sweeping rear quarters, and short hocks, which she used well, she moved with style and kept her topline on the move, ultimately this won her the class, beating another lovely bitch whom I have done well for before.

2nd Shimalma Campari Goes to Ifmaraf (Mr I & Mrs M Fisher) Blacked masked cream, a lovely bitch whom I have done well for before and one I still admire, stood she has a classic outline with good overall construction, which led to sound movement. I just felt today she wasn’t moving with as much enthusiasm, and ultimately this lost her the class. She has a lovely coat and was shown in great condition.

3RD Yansukhim's Candy Floss (Mrs S & Mr D Green & Powell)D Pramya Keep Your Eyes On Me (Imp Fin) JW (Mrs S & Mr P Bellringer)

Open Bitch

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1ST Ch Saxonmill Mirror Image (Miss C & Miss A Dowd & Malia), a beautiful hound, for me, she is simply stunning; everything I dream of owning, her outline is correct on the stack and she maintains her outline on the move at all times, gorgeous head, she looks at and through you with that aloofness only an Afghan can have. Long neck flowing into well-placed shoulders, upper arm long and sloping, bringing her front well under her, elbows close to ribs, strong firm topline, short loin, prominent hip bones and correct fall way, sweeping well angulated rear quarters, short hocks, and she stands over her large feet that are firmly placed on the ground. This topped with a lovely ringed tail which is raised in action, her movement is a joy; she is effortless and so correct in footfall. When needed, she steps up a gear without any hesitation. She is presented in the best of muscular condition, and her silky black coat and saddle are the icing on the cake; her handler just lets her show herself to her best advantage with the minimum fuss. I was delighted to be able to judge her and her litter sister who was handled by their very clever breeder. Her overall outline won the class today , earning her the CC and ultimately Best of Breed.

2ND Ch Saxonmill Majic Mirror (Mrs R Hall), who is the litter sister of the first-place winner, and deciding between them was the most difficult decision of the day; this girl truly demands your attention. She has a divine and beautiful head, dark eyes showing a proud, aloof expression, lovely chiselling and a punishing under jaw, her front construction cannot be faulted, I loved her femininity and substance. Her topline is strong and firm, with a short muscular broad loin, well-angulated rear quarters with great length from hip to hock and short, strong hocks . Presented in a beautiful full silky coat and correct saddle , I appreciated her body condition she certainly fits the adage 'fit for function' so well. Her movement is stylish ,true and correct, with a proud head carriage . It was down to the finer details to separate these girls, which is why they change places regularly. I can only imagine how proud her owner must be, consistently breeding this quality of hound. When called back in for the RCC, she moved up a gear, and it was with no hesitation I awarded her the RCC. Thank you for bringing her.

3RD Ch Drishaun Faith Is Like A Lily for Javidan JW (Miss L & Ms C O’Donnell), she is still a very much a favourite of mine, Shown in super condition and still very much a diva,

Res Cloudside Muineira to Karandikar (ai) (Mr G & Mrs W Bastow)

Tania Gardner ( Danwish)