So You Think an Afghan Hound Is for You?

Purported to be the oldest recognized breed of dog, legend also says that the Afghan Hound was the breed Noah took on the Ark. Images of Afghan-type dogs have been found on the walls of ancient caves in the Middle East. However, it wasn’t until the late 19th and early part of the 20th centuries that several of these unusual dogs were imported to England, and it wasn’t until 1931 that Zeppo Marx (of Marx Brothers fame) brought a pair for breeding to the United States. The rest, as they say, is history.

Why would anyone ever want to own an Afghan Hound? If you’re a dog lover and have an eye for beauty and glamour, an Afghan Hound might appeal to you. Aside from the fact that they are drop-dead gorgeous animals, why would a person be tempted to purchase one of these unusual-looking dogs?

Just seeing an Afghan Hound and admiring their exotic looks is one thing, but living with them and caring for them is an entirely different matter.

My initial introduction to the breed was at the New England circuit in Vermont in 1953. When I saw my first real live Afghan Hound, I knew I had to have one. It wasn’t until ten years later that I was able to acquire my first Afghan Hound. It wasn’t until that puppy stole his way into my heart that I became truly aware of the breed’s character.

The Afghan Hound is not an in-your-face breed. The fact that their personalities don’t need constant attention appeals to me. They are by nature independent and somewhat standoffish. The Afghan Hounds I’ve known (and have owned me) have been my friends, and are happy with kind words and a pat on the head. However, they don’t need you to play with them all the time. The Afghan’s aloof personality charms me. That is not to say they don’t like attention—but it has to be on their terms.

Their independent nature has labeled them as “dumb” in some circles. Because they don’t train like a Border Collie, Poodle, German Shepherd, or Golden Retriever, they have often been categorized on the low end of intelligence ratings. Somewhere in their beautiful heads, they think they know better, can do it their own way, and are infinitely smarter than you. In fact, they just might be. They certainly don’t play by the same rules as most people (and dogs) understand them.

Sighthounds need exercise—walking on a leash is good for your dog and for you. Running at full tilt in an enclosed space is also beneficial. Lure coursing is great fun for your dog. I must commend the American Kennel Club for bringing Agility, Rally, and Lure Coursing, in addition to Obedience, to the competitive arena, along with the conformation end of the sport. Nowadays, just observe Afghan Hounds in Agility, Obedience, Rally, and Lure Coursing. They love the work and are remarkable to watch.

Training methods have evolved over the years. If you can fool an Afghan Hound into thinking he or she originated the idea, the battle is mostly won.

Susan Zoppe—now retired from performing—had a circus act with seven Afghan Hounds for nearly 40 years (not all the same dogs, of course). Her Afghans performed flawlessly and with great precision. I have seen them perform with tails wagging, as they go about their business in the ring, happy as can be. Susan trained them with patience and love, and the job they did was unique and amazing.

If you think you might enjoy living with this independent breed, by all means, you should have one. But aside from that unusual temperament, be prepared for the time-consuming grooming side of the Afghan Hound.

That glamorous coat that is an absolute wow factor when you first lay eyes on the breed is a lot of laborious work, with some coat textures more so than others. Be prepared for a bath every week or so. Brushing and blow-drying take a great deal of time. However, if a dog is trained from puppyhood to have its feet handled, to stand or lie on the grooming table for hours on end, there should be no problem. If the dog is allowed to run in your fenced backyard, the long coat can hide a multitude of foreign objects and/or parasites that might climb aboard. The Afghan Hound is definitely not a wash-and-wear dog.

Afghan Hounds can be extremely clever escape artists. Climbing over six-foot fences with ease and going under fences where there doesn’t seem to be any place to slip through are just a couple of challenges you might encounter. Some people I’ve known have even covered their kennel run tops with chain link to prevent untoward flights. Not all Afghan Hounds are escapees, but there are enough to make you think twice.

One of the neatest traits of the Afghan Hound is their persistent sense of humor. They are born clowns and never cease to amaze with their clever, funny antics. On the other hand, some of their ruses are not so funny, particularly if you are the victim. In retrospect, though, you have to laugh at the cleverness of these indomitable hounds. I recall once putting some frozen chicken out to thaw, way back in the corner on the kitchen counter, surely out of reach. Wrong! A short time later, I returned to the kitchen to find one of my darlings, all fours up on the counter, chewing on the frozen package. There goes our dinner, I thought, but waste not, want not. I cooked the bird and gave it to the dogs.

I realize everyone has their favorite breed of dog—the special breed they love to pieces and could never replace. While some people do not have the time or temperament to live and work with an Afghan Hound, if you think you do, you’re in for a most adventurous and pleasant surprise.

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The Afghan Hound is an eye-catching, glamorous member of the Hound Group. Do not let this star-quality fool you! The Afghan Hound is a medium-sized hunting hound, and every component of the Breed Standard describes a hound built for speed, agility, and senses exquisitely honed to catch and kill various game with enthusiasm and efficiency. The Afghan Hound differs greatly from most of the Greyhound-like breeds in outline and proportions. Whereas the Greyhound-type is slightly longer than tall, with the outline a series of sinuous curves, the Afghan Hound is square and angular. The Afghan Hound originated in areas of vast deserts and mountainous terrain. His construction sacrifices some in speed for the ability to stop, turn, and climb, not unlike a Quarter Horse in these characteristics.

You need only talk to any military veteran of service in Afghanistan to hear of the unforgiving variations in weather and terrain in that country. There are desert areas and fierce mountain ranges, torrid heat and biting cold. The early Afghan Hounds were of two types, one primarily situated in the desert areas and those primarily habituated to the mountains. Over time, and relocation to other countries, these types have been interbred for a combination of the best of each type (ideally) so that the results are not recognizable as clearly either side of the road.

The origins of the Afghan Hound, as of many of the ancient sighthound breeds of the Middle East, are a combination of fact, fantasy, and speculation. The diversity is not random but follows geographical considerations. The Afghan Hounds of the lowland region of Southern and Western Afghanistan lean further toward the sparse coat and racier build of the other sighthound types of the region. In contrast, the Afghan Hounds of the more rugged mountainous terrain of the formidable Hindu Kush tend to be a bit shorter, with a stronger, more powerful build and much more heavily coated to withstand the rigors of the weather. No matter the terrain, these dogs traveled with the nomadic tribes of the region, serving in various capacities as hunter, herder, and sometimes, babysitter. For a more comprehensive history of the breed, see The Complete Afghan Hound (Miller & Gilbert) and Connie Miller’s excellent treatise, “The Truth in Gazehounds,” published in the July and August issues of the Gazehound, 1980.

The cornerstone of the Afghan Hound as we know it today started with the Standard written primarily by Mrs. Amps in England, President of the Afghan Hound Association. She was the guiding force as an importer and breeder, with actual working knowledge of these hounds in their native habitat. This Standard, written in 1927, was to supersede the first, written two years earlier, and clearly pointed out the differences between the Afghan Hound and other, related sighthound breeds. In 1947, The Kennel Club in Britain adopted the one Standard that took precedence over the competing Standards of the various local breed clubs. The American Standard was adopted by the Afghan Club of America in 1948 and remains (thank Heaven) unchanged at this time.

The essential qualities that make the Afghan Hound unique are spelled out wonderfully in the “General Appearance” section of the Standard for the breed. These are qualities that set the breed apart from even his closest relatives and are necessary for the selection of a correct Afghan Hound specimen. As a judge, you are charged with finding the hound that most closely epitomizes the qualities listed here without falling prey to the newest trends and handling quirks that we frequently see in the ring today. The General Appearance section that opens the AKC Afghan Hound Breed Standard states:

“The Afghan Hound is an aristocrat, his whole appearance one of dignity and aloofness with no trace of plainness or coarseness. He has a straight front, proudly carried head, eyes gazing into the distance as if in memory of ages past. The striking characteristics of the breed-exotic, or “Eastern” expression, long silky topknot, peculiar coat pattern, very prominent hipbones, large feet, and the impression of a somewhat exaggerated bend in the stifle due to profuse trouserings-stand out clearly, giving the Afghan Hound the appearance of what he is, a king of dogs, that has held true to tradition throughout the ages.”

There you have it… a thumbnail description of a hound different from all the rest by virtue of these highlights. The rest of the Standard fills in the blanks in greater detail. The one necessary point that does not appear in the General Appearance section is the insistence on a square dog. Your first impression on looking at a line of dogs in a class that has come in the ring is to search for a square dog. The Standard insists on it, and you should, too. When you approach a hound to examine it, he should stand his ground and look through you as if you didn’t exist. The Afghan Hound is an aristocrat and the judge is a lesser being… to be tolerated, but not fawned over. Part of this is also that the Afghan Hound is far-sighted, and sees objects better farther away. The Afghan Hound owns the ground he walks on. Self-confidence is paramount. The Temperament section is very sparse: “Aloof and dignified, yet gay. Faults are sharpness or shyness.” Examining the head, the skull is evenly balanced with the foreface, with a slight rise over the nasal bone. There is little or no stop. Eyes are dark and appear triangular, adding to the exotic expression. This look is further enhanced by the chiseling on the muzzle, low set, long ears, and profuse topknot. Bite is either level or scissors. The nose is large and black. It is impossible, without outside help, to have a black nose on a cream dog, but the Standard is unforgiving—wanting a black nose in all colors—something the founding fathers (mothers) failed to consider.

A phrase that causes some confusion is that of calling for “a straight front.” This is a seeming contradiction, as the Standard is very clear that the front construction is anything but “straight.” As the Standard is very clear that the front should be set back on the body, with well-angulated shoulders and an upper arm of equal length and layback, the straight front is the elbow to ground in a straight line from front or side. Indeed, the Standard admonishes, “Shoulders have plenty of angulation so that the legs are well set underneath the dog (emphasis mine).”

The Afghan Hound’s front has to pull him as well as provide stability, and, of course, must be equally balanced with the rear angulation. One of your greatest challenges in judging this breed is to find the point of shoulder behind the sternum and the legs set under the dog. Most exhibits nowadays have the Afghan Hound posting like Saddlebreds on parade. With the front legs ahead of the nose.

We spoke before of the greyhound-like breeds being a series of curves and a longer-cast body. The Afghan Hound is distinctly different. He sacrifices a bit in speed for the ability to stop and turn to follow his quarry up and down mountainous terrain and to make the quick turns that his prey will make to try to elude the hunting hound. The Afghan Hound is SQUARE, the height at the withers equals the length from chest to buttocks. The structural components are a shorter body with a level topline, equal and balanced angulation, low hocks for propelling power, and the unique pelvic construction for maximum propulsion. The croup (pelvis) is long and sloping (at about 30 degrees), with prominent hipbones, and the tail is set low… long and feathered, with a curve or curl at the end. After all, the hunter has to be able to see his dog. Feet are big, with deep, thick pads for shock absorption and the ability to withstand desert heat and mountain cold. The rear is not over-angulated; the Standard’s requirements are for “…the impression of a somewhat exaggerated bend in the stifle due to profuse trouserings.” The great, sweeping rear angulation that overpowers the front is not what is desired. Balance is the key. From the rear, there should be a slight bow from hock to crotch… like a cowboy in chaps.

The Afghan Hound’s coat is his crowning glory… and his deepest shame due to overzealous owners and handlers who feel that they have to improve on nature. My admonishment, like the ad from years ago, is: “Don’t mess with Mother Nature!” The Standard calls for “Hindquarters, flanks, ribs, forequarters, and legs well covered with thick, silky hair, very fine in texture; ears and all four feet well feathered; from in front of the shoulders… along the saddle from the flanks and the ribs upwards, the hair is short and close, forming a smooth back in mature dogs (emphasis mine).” This is a traditional characteristic of the Afghan Hound.

“The Afghan Hound should be shown in its natural state; the coat is not clipped or trimmed (emphasis mine).” “Showing of short hair on cuffs on either front or back legs is permissible.” You will see this especially on bitches after a seasonal coat drop, though it may appear in males as well and is a lovely sight.

Faults: Lack of a short-haired saddle IN MATURE DOGS (caps mine). I have put sections in bold or CAPITAL letters, as you will have in your ring six-month-old puppies with saddles plucked or shaven in, and faces and necks shaved to the skin. When I returned to judging after a 10-year hiatus working for the American Kennel Club, I found many shaved faces and plucked saddles. I spoke of this to my friend and passionate Afghan Hound breeder, Babbie Tongren, who vehemently said, “Throw the bastards out, Midge. They need to learn not to do it.” While I agree in principle, I know of people who have (and have, myself, on occasion) trimmed a dog so that you can’t really tell it has been accomplished. So, in my cowardly way, I suppose I reward good trimming and penalize bad trimming—or blatant trimming. I also hate to penalize a good dog for his owner’s disregard of the Standard’s requirements.

The Afghan Hound gait is very difficult to describe, but once seen, or felt through the lead, is never forgotten and always to be sought. The Standard begins by describing the dog at a gallop, “showing great elasticity and spring in his smooth, powerful stride. When on a loose lead, the Afghan can trot at a fast pace…” (the Standard says CAN —it doesn’t have to go at breakneck speed!); “…stepping along, he has the appearance of placing the hind feet directly in the foot prints of the front feet, both thrown straight ahead. Moving with head and tail high, the whole appearance of the Afghan Hound is one of great style and beauty.” If the dog is gaited too fast, the rear feet will overtake and pass the front feet, which is unacceptable.

NOW… much has been written and told in describing proper Afghan Hound gait. “Fast pace” is a relative concept. The doyennes of the breed, Kay Finch and Sunny Shay, did not gait their dogs at 90 miles an hour. Films and tapes (and observations of Kay with her stately Crown Crest dogs) had a smooth-running walk that had the dogs at a collected “Reconnaissance trot” with head and tail high. Sunny had a run, but she took shorter steps with a higher knee action, not terribly fast, but still not the dead-run seen far too often in the ring today. The judge is in control of the ring; you can control the speed. The Afghan Hound’s natural trot is utilized for searching for prey—or predators—and is accomplished with head and tail held high. In any breed, as speed increases, the center of gravity shifts and the head is extended farther forward… not what is wanted in the show ring for this stately hound. The elasticity and spring the Standard describes at the gallop is also seen at the trot. Spring and elasticity DO NOT equal bounce… the stride is smooth and powerful, covering ground efficiently and easily. I quote from an article from Australia, from 2002:

“Nature has evolved a style of gait called the ‘Reconnaissance trot.’ The head is carried high as the hound rises to the trot. There is the impression of a smooth, springy gait or a floating gait, with effortless reach and drive. What leaves a lasting impression is the cadence of this gait when performed by a well-balanced Afghan. The cadence (or symmetry) is where the trot is of moderate speed and the reach and drive finalize each stride simultaneously and there appears to be a momentary pause before the outreached limbs gather for the next stride. At the fullest extension, the limbs are straight. There is no bend at the elbow. Integral to the ability to gait in this renowned manner are several factors which, if deficient, will greatly impact the dog’s performance: temperament, intelligence, health, fitness, and balance. Together, these factors make for a memorable gaiting Afghan Hound and a joy to behold.” This article was written by Terrence Wilcox, Alaqadar Afghans, with reference to other breeders, some from Afghanistan.

In teaching, you must boil down the key concepts into a few choice words to remember. For the Afghan Hound, I have five key concepts: The correct Afghan Hound MUST be:

• Aristocratic
• Square
• Balanced
• Angular
• Athletic

He must have type and structural, physical, and mental soundness, strength, and conditioning.

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The Afghan Hound. The Dog That Noah Knew. The King of Dogs.

Judging the Afghan Hound

A great Afghan Hound will quickly, yet gradually, fill the voyeur with awe, humbleness and respect because of its unrivaled beauty, its strength, the intrinsic pride and certain vulnerability.

The judge should first look at the dog as one would look at a painting. The Afghan Hound should convey a dignified and distant demeanor. This is a breed like no other. The judge should see a dog framed in a square build, of great elegance, strength and balance. On this initial view of the dog, the judge should easily identify certain distinctive breed characteristics apparent at this time; exotic expression, the crowning glory of a silky topknot, peculiar coat patterning, very prominent hipbones and a first impression of an almost over-angulated rear assembly; an illusion created by the draping of coat. The last named distinguishing characteristic is the unusually large foot of the Afghan Hound which sometimes may be visually hinted at by the hair covering it, but certainly will be found during the manual examination.

A proper and knowledgeable assessment of the Afghan Hound must include a manual examination as with any breed of dog covered in hair. Before we get to this, it needs to be clear that, like most rulers, the Afghan Hound has a lot of rules.

The Afghan Hound has been getting its way for over 4,000 years and so there are some aspects to work around to make this a good experience for everyone involved.

I cannot tell you not to smoke, but if you do, understand that the Afghan Hound has a keen and inherent sense of “Burning Bushes”. Where there is smoke, there is fire. The Afghan Hound knows he is highly flammable. It is recommended that you wash your hands prior to judging the breed to remove any trace of smoke. Please also wash your hands after having judged a breed which produces excessive saliva or the Afghan Hound will quickly show offense to that.

The use of heavy perfume or cologne may send an Afghan Hound spinning. Wearing a hat may cause an interruption in the Afghan Hound’s acceptance of your approach. It is understandable that weather may govern what the judge wears, but please know that the more you look like an alien being from outer space and the less identifiable you are as a human, the more contrary the Afghan Hound will be.

It is also recommended that there is no talking by the judge when going over a dog. The Afghan Hound isn’t interested in being your friend. In fact, oral familiarity may often bring a certain suspicion and adverse reaction from the dog. There is more on this subject but that is a separate article in itself.

The Afghan Hound may be presented with or without the propping of its tail. This comes under the jurisdiction of the exhibitor. This is determined by how the best and steadfast stack will be maintained.

A proper approach to examine the Afghan Hound is important. This will set the mood for a successful examination. The Afghan Hound does not like to be pushed, or rushed into a situation. As best trained as one of these dogs may be, it must be understood the procedure of a stranger touching the creature is a compromise. The exhibitor should always be allowed the time to have the dog stacked and ready for the judges approach. The judge should move with confidence, but with no aggression. Be deliberate and not hesitant. Any reluctance may arouse the dog to think he has the upper hand.

When approaching the Afghan Hound from the front, take note of a dog standing proud on front legs like two columns. Always approach the head with hands from underneath. Never reach toward the eyes as the Afghan Hound is sure to draw away.

I recommend that the judge inspects the mouth himself or herself and not ask the exhibitor to do so. It is important that the handler holds the dog’s head to maintain control during the examination. The Afghan Hound Standard was written in an age of innocence when people didn’t think they needed to tell anyone that hunting dogs had teeth. The preferred bite is a level bite! A scissors bite is certainly acceptable. It is a judge’s choice to look at the rest. If that is the case, the judge should look at both sides as dentition may not be symmetrical. The mouth should be looked at during the head evaluation, as the inspection of the foot is recommended to come last!

When a judge goes over an Afghan Hound the hands should feel the parts that come together to make this unusual hound. A well angulated front assembly, with wonderful sloping shoulders allowing a neck to be on the dog and not in front of the dog, should be noted. Upon closer inspection the judge will understand why the Standard claims a “practically level” top line.

These dogs have low body fat and the bones are closer to the surface and so it is noticed that there are slight deviations across the back; a slight indentation at the thoracic lumbar junction, a muscular rise over the loin area, prominent hipbones leading to a flat descent to where the tail comes out of the body. Even a few points of individual vertebrae may be apparent on a dog in proper weight. Standing back from the dog, looking from across the top to the hipbones should appear level.

When going over the rear assembly, one should find a well angled, well muscled and broad rear. The hocks are low and I implore you to not leave the rear until feeling to see that those hocks are, in fact, perpendicular to the ground. Any affliction of sickle hocks is more easily determined on a stack than moving because of the illusive complications brought about by coat.

The judge’s hands should get in the coat to examine the dog. The hair is silky and this quality may result in some wave to the hair. When short hair is present on the dog, it is of a different texture; that being hard.

The masculinity and femininity of an Afghan Hound must be determined on an individual basis and not by the company it keeps. There is a range in size in this breed. There is a recommended size in this breed. Height is not necessarily a determining factor. Boys must be boys, girls must be girls.

The Afghan Hound’s tail is a very unusual commodity. Most importantly, it comes out low from the body and is carried high in action. Ideally, it ends in a ringed tip or it may just curve. It is always a long rather sparsely coated tail (certainly in comparison to the overall coat) and never curls so much that it touches the back, or falls to one side or the other. There is no point of reference other than one’s eye to measure the tail. The judge should never try to undo the shape of a tail. There is no reason to touch the tail except to see where it comes out from the body if the tail is down.

Once the examination is complete, it is time to check the foot. The largeness of the foot is much more notable on the front feet and it is there that inspection is done. The Afghan Hound is very protective of its feet and so if this is not done well it may end in a wrestling match. The best way to do this must be instructed in person.

The Afghan Hound should be the same dog moving as it is standing. The Standard mentions many times about the straight legs, feet facing forward, emphasizing a sound moving animal. It takes practice to get past being mesmerized by the coat and focusing on watching the legs and feet is imperative.

From the side, the Afghan Hound should carry itself with great pride and exhibit an impressively balanced gait, showing strength and athletic ease. When you see it you will know it. It is incomparable.

The Afghan Hound is incomparable.

Judging the Afghan Hound – Showsight Magazine March 2020 Issue

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Interview with Eddie & Dr. Selma Kominek of Kominek Afghan Hounds

We are Eddie & Dr. Selma Kominek of Kominek Afghan Hounds. We strive to breed and prove functional Afghan Hounds by competing in Conformation, Lure Coursing, Straight Racing, and Open Field Coursing/Hunting with our stock. We live on 102 acres in Eastern Tennessee and hold Lure Coursing, Racing, and Specialty Conformation events on our property throughout the entire year. We are both Lure Coursing Judges in AKC/ASFA and are working towards our Conformation judging licenses.

We strive to breed and prove functional Afghan Hounds by competing in Conformation, Lure Coursing, Straight Racing, and Open Field Coursing/Hunting with our stock.

How were you introduced to the Afghan Hound?

My wife had wanted an Afghan Hound since she was in grade school, and I know because I’ve seen the doodles of them in her sixth grade notebook. She finally convinced me to get our first in 2000, insisting she would do all the grooming and showing. Being new to the world of purebreds, of course, our first was bought from a newspaper and didn’t do well showing. Over the years, we became acquainted with the fancy and were able to acquire stock better-suited to showing, and then, coursing.

As Selma transitioned to her neurosurgical career, I’ve since taken up the mantle of groomer and handler, but we both enjoy all the sports our dogs participate in, primarily Conformation and Lure Coursing, but we try to take them out West once a year to open field course jackrabbits. Our fourth Afghan Hound and first Dual Champion, “Soleil,” is the foundation of our breeding program, now on our third generation, and is still with us at 13.

When did your Afghan Hounds begin Lure Coursing?

Eddie & Dr. Selma Kominek: Our first experience lure coursing was a Junior Courser (JC) Test at a large show cluster in Perry, Georgia, in 2005, put on by the Pharaoh Hound Club of America. It was a novel experience for us, and it hit us that THIS was THE sighthound sport. Both of our Afghan Hounds that weekend, “Joey” and “Phoebe,” immediately “got it,” and Phoebe earned her JC title. We’d known about companion events and had dabbled in Obedience and Rally with our guys, and while we had fun, nothing seemed to make them as happy as chasing plastic bunnies.

Our next Afghan Hound, “Reza,” would be our first Field Champion, and campaigning her around the Southeast to many American Kennel Club (AKC) & American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) lure coursing field trials introduced us to the community. We found such camaraderie among the people involved in sighthound lure coursing field trials that it became our preferred pastime. I began learning several working positions on the field such as hunt master, lure operator, field trial secretary, etc. I chaired our first field trial with the Tara Afghan Hound Club in Perry in 2007.

Every Afghan Hound we’ve had since the beginning has had a lure coursing career, some more prolific than others. A Kominek Afghan Hound has won Best in Event at the AHCA National Specialty Lure Coursing trials since 2014.

What exactly is Lure Coursing? How did the sport get its start?

Eddie & Dr. Selma Kominek: Lure coursing can be thought of as a simulation of open field coursing. Open field coursing of live, wild game has been a popular pastime in the American West since the time of General Custer and his pack of staghounds. Organized open field coursing was growing in popularity among many sighthound owners in the 1960s and ‘70s, and several of those hunters were looking for a way to condition hounds in the off-season with the use of an artificial lure, dragged along the ground and pulled by a hand-powered contraption made from an old bicycle.

Lyle Gillette and others began the American Sighthound Field Association in the early ‘70s to bring lure coursing to the rest of the United States as a way for sighthound owners to evaluate the running capabilities of their sighthounds and with the intent that the sport be adopted by the American Kennel Club, eventually.

Lure coursing trials borrowed much of the running format and evaluation rules from open field coursing. Courses can be anywhere from 600-1200 yards in length, and are set out on a field using nylon string going around several pulleys and driven by an electric or gas-powered machine with three plastic bag “bunnies” tied to the string. Sighthounds run in courses of trios or braces, wearing blankets colored either yellow, pink or blue, and are evaluated against each other categorically on aspects such as speed, agility, endurance, follow, and enthusiasm.

Afghan Hounds were the most popular breed at the sport’s inception; on a two-day weekend, Saturday would be devoted to Afghan Hounds and Sunday was “everything else.” Times have changed, and while Whippets are the most popular breed, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Ibizan Hounds are both a close second.

Is there any preparation required for Lure Coursing? Conditioning? Training?

Eddie & Dr. Selma Kominek: We begin exposing our puppies to a “flirt pole” (fancy term for a horse lunge whip with a fur or bag tied on the end) at about 5 weeks of age and use that to evaluate them for homes. At 8 weeks, we’re not looking for the fastest, but can differentiate puppies on their interest, determination, tenacity, resilience, competitiveness, and coordination, and it gives us an idea which ones should go to homes that would like to pursue a performance career. Thus far, we’ve been pretty accurate in our predictions.

We expose puppies to a “real lure” once they’re bigger than the lure itself, so at about 10-12 weeks, and we do “puppy bumps” where the lure only moves a few feet, and the puppies can pounce and attack it. At about 6 months, we can start doing 50 yard down-and-back straights. At 9 months, we’ll put them through their first easy turn on a down-and-back, doing about 100-150 yards, and by the time they’re 11-12 months they can run full courses provided they’re not too complicated.

We usually council our owners to wait until 14-plus months for bitches and 18-plus months for dogs, when their growth plates close, before they begin a lure coursing career with their hounds. Most sighthounds don’t fully develop and run hard until they’re 2 years old, reaching their peak performance from 2.5 years to 5 years old.

As far as conditioning: don’t run a fat dog, as it’s dangerous for their joints and increases their chances of falling. Free-running is the best conditioning you can provide a sighthound, as they’re moving themselves at full gallop speed and learning how to use their unencumbered and unrestrained body. We’ve rollerbladed the dogs in the past for exercise, and while it helps for cardio, you cannot build a proper loin and coursing condition this way. We now let our dogs have free access to two-plus shaded acres, and they self-exercise the entire day. Our pack doesn’t have an exotic diet; we feed Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend Adult Chicken and Rice.

Free-running is the best conditioning you can provide a sighthound, as they’re moving themselves at full gallop speed and learning how to use their unencumbered and unrestrained body.

Do Afghan Hounds Lure Course differently than other Hound breeds?

Eddie & Dr. Selma Kominek: Each breed runs a little bit differently; as a lure operator, you learn this fact early. The ASFA Judge’s Handbook does a great job describing each breed’s original purpose and aspects of their running style that differentiates them. Afghan Hounds are not the fastest breed in sighthound lure coursing: they’re usually about as fast as a good Ibizan Hound or fast Rhodesian Ridgeback, but slower than Greyhounds, Whippets, Borzoi, and Salukis.

Afghan Hounds should excel in agility, with fast braking and quick acceleration due to their large, padded feet, their high, wide-set hips, and their compact, square structure—as long as they are of a standard size; bitches being 24-26 inches and males 26-28 inches. They are a very intelligent yet self-serving breed, and this can eventually lead to “cheating,” where the dog begins cutting corners and guessing where the lure is going to go. If your dog is running well, it’s best to knock out any large competition wins and titles early before they decide to play the game by their own rules.

What are the benefits of Lure Coursing? The risks?

Eddie & Dr. Selma Kominek: For us, the biggest benefit to competitive lure coursing is as an evaluative tool for breeding. I like to be able to compare my dogs’ capabilities in head-to-head competition against each other as well to other owners’ and breeders’ dogs. Every run in lure coursing will vary slightly, course to course. The speed of the lure can be adjusted to the speed of the dog, and it is very difficult to judge two dogs’ speed in different courses; therefore, it is much more useful to me to evaluate the dogs running side-by-side.

FastCAT can be a useful tool, but it is too short, in my opinion, for sighthound evaluation. LGRA, even at 200 yards, is a bit on the short side. I don’t see lure coursing as a conditioning tool; sighthounds should be conditioned for lure coursing trials, which are evaluation and exhibition events. (You don’t enter a marathon for training; you train for a marathon and enter to compete and win.)

As far as risks, there are risks anytime our hounds run loose with other dogs. We’ve had more injuries in the backyard than on the lure coursing field. Sometimes there are minor line burns where the dogs might pick up the string with their leg for a second.

Rare are the injurious accidents, which can result from the line wrapping a leg, a dog falling at full speed, or a mid-field collision, and all of these can be mitigated with a competent field crew that includes hunt masters ready with a knife to cut the line and seasoned lure operators showing corners and avoiding potential collisions. By having so much control over things such as field selection, course design, and working personnel, lure coursing can be measurably safer than open field coursing with unknown terrain, barbed wire fences, and unbound fields.

For us, the biggest benefit to competitive lure coursing is as an evaluative tool for breeding. I like to be able to compare my dogs’ capabilities in head-to-head competition against each other as well to other owners’ and breeders’ dogs.

Can Afghan Hounds compete in both Conformation and Lure Coursing?

Eddie & Dr. Selma Kominek: Absolutely! We strive to put Dual Champion titles on our dogs. “DC” is a title awarded by the AKC to dogs which have completed their Conformation Champion (CH) and Field Champion (FC) titles. We begin a dog’s show career earlier because they are allowed to compete at 6 months. No coursing sports allow dogs under 12 months, so we wait until maturity to begin working on their lure coursing titles.

In Lure Coursing, does each breed compete individually? How are titles earned?

Eddie & Dr. Selma Kominek: Events such as Junior Courser (JC) tests, Coursing Ability Tests (CAT), FastCAT, ASFA Lure Coursing Instinct (LCI) stakes and AKC/ASFA Singles stakes will have a sightound (or non-sighthound depending on the event) running singularly. Competitive lure coursing at AKC and ASFA Field Trials will have 2-3 dogs running in the same course, head-to-head. Both venues will require a certification run with another hound to ensure the dog runs intently and cleanly, without interfering, before they can enter a trial. Hounds will run twice, once in Prelims and then in Finals, and their scores from each course are added together; the highest hound in each stake takes first place.

Both organizations have three stakes:

• Open
• Field Champion
• Veteran

The first place from each stake will run off for Best of Breed. Points are earned for placements and depend on the number of dogs in each stake. In AKC, majors are earned for a first placement and vary by breed for the number of dogs required. Field Champion titles (FC for AKC, FCh for ASFA) are earned in the Open stake against other non-champions. The AKC point requirements for a FC are similar to Conformation, with 15 points and 2 majors. ASFA has a different point schedule, and awards requiring 100 points and certain placements over competition. Once in the Field Champion (ASFA) or Specials (AKC) stakes, sighthounds can further compete for Lure Courser of Merit (LCM, ASFA) or Lure Coursing Excellent (LCX, AKC) iterative titles. ASFA also has a Veteran line of titles which can be earned from the Veterans stake.

Would you recommend Lure Coursing to breeders and owners of Afghan Hounds?

Eddie & Dr. Selma Kominek: Absolutely. As breeders, our favorite homes are those that will keep a dog in a healthy, running condition and get them out to performance events. It’s an easier learning curve for new Afghan Hound owners than Conformation or Companion events, and a weekend out lure coursing gets you a couple days outside, hanging out with like-minded sighthound owners who are letting their dogs do what they were instinctually bred to do.

Where can Afghan Hound owners go to compete in Lure Coursing events?

Eddie & Dr. Selma Kominek: Our property in Limestone, Tennessee! We host several AKC and ASFA lure coursing trial weekends every year as well as many LGRA race meets.

• We’re members of the Gazehound Association of the Smoky Mountains and our events are up at: https://gasm.club
• AKC Lure Coursing events can be found using the AKC Event Search & Results page at: https://webapps.akc.org/event-search/
• ASFA has their trial schedule listed here: https://www.asfa.org/event/index.htm

Some areas of the country might prefer one venue over another, but others will be a mix of the two venues. Hope to see you out on the field!

Are you looking for an Afghan Hound puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home an Afghan Hound dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

Afghan Hound Dog Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the versatile Afghan Hound dog breed with articles and information in our Afghan Hound Dog Breed Magazine.

The post An Interview With Eddie & Dr. Selma Kominek of Kominek Afghan Hounds appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Interview with a purebred Afghan Hound breeder Sandra Frei of Stormhill Afghans, by Allan Reznik.

Where did you grow up?

Sandra Frei: I am originally from Southern California. I grew up in la Canada-Flintridge.

Do you come from a doggy family? If not, how did the interest in breeding and showing purebred dogs begin.

Sandra Frei: Yes, my mother (Virginia R. Withington) got her first Afghan Hound when I was around four years old. His name was Koh-I-Baba UD. He didn’t turn out to be a show dog, so she decided to turn to training him in Obedience. He became the first Afghan in the history of the breed to earn a Utility degree (UD), which at that time was the highest degree you could achieve in Obedience. Her first Conformation dog, and the dog she began her Stormhill breeding program with, was Ch. Stormhill Silver Dream, a son of Ch. Taejon of Crown Crest. “Taejon” was a very influential stud dog in his time, and was bred and owned by Kay Finch of Crown Crest Kennels.

Who were your mentors in the sport? Please elaborate on their influence.

Sandra Frei: My mother was my primary and most important mentor. She was friends with all the great breeders of the past who helped shape the breed into what it is today. These important breeders included Kay Finch of Crown Crest Afghans, Sunny Shay of Grandeur, Bob and Babbie Tongren of ben ghaZi, Reigh and Dewey Abram of Dureigh, Lois Boardman of Akaba, Ned and Sue Kauffman of Holly Hill, Pat Stephenson of Tajmir, Jim and Mary Nesbitt of Mecca, and Wally Pede of Scheherezade.

Of course, over the years I learned a lot by training the dogs and going to handling classes, observing other great handlers in our breed as well as professional handlers, talking to people I knew in the breed, going to club meetings and seminars, etc. Back when I first started showing, which was in the early 1970s, Afghans were at the height of their popularity. There were a number of successful breeders competing at that time. Entries at specialties, all-breed shows, and even matches were huge. We learned a lot from each other. Back then, there was more discussion about dogs and pedigrees. Also back then, there was a lot more socializing among exhibitors, both at the shows and afterwards, than there is now.

I participated in Junior Handling when I was a kid. Back then it was usually judged by a professional handler and held over the lunch hour. It only cost a dollar to enter and you could show any dog that you chose or your parents chose for you on the day. It was lots of fun. There was no pressure on the kids to win, so it was quite relaxed compared to today.

The Stormhill Afghans are widely known, highly successful and well respected. What breeding philosophies do you adhere to?

Sandra Frei: Like my mother, I have always adhered to trying to breed to the standard. I have carried this philosophy over to my judging. Temperament is of utmost importance to me. We work hard on socializing our puppies from a young age. We put them on a very fine martingale leash at eight weeks of age and teach them how to walk on a leash by following their mother on a short walk. It takes around two to three days to leash-train them using this method.

How many Afghans do you currently house? Tell us about your facilities and how the dogs are maintained.

Sandra Frei: Currently, we have five Afghan Hounds, ranging in age from one year to nine years. We have “SJ” and his sister, “Milky Way,” who just turned a year; “Zolton,” who is five; and “Cooper” and his sister “Rylie” who are nine. At night, they sleep in the kennel, but in the morning they come in the house to chew on their bones. We try to take several of them on walks in the morning when the weather is nice.

The main house has a detached garage with an apartment that Dave and I turned into a kennel when we first moved from California to Woodinville, Washington. There are six 15-foot indoor runs. Each dog has its own raised bed. Each run goes out into a 20-foot covered, outdoor run, and each outdoor run has a gate that opens up for them to run over a grassy, fenced half-acre. There is also a fenced-in sports court off the kennel for them to run in.

The garage has a built-in, raised tub for bathing. There is a raised grooming table along with several standing dog dryers. I have two large, stainless steel veterinary cages that my mom had that we use for storage and cage-drying. There is a sink for washing dog bowls, and a washer and dryer in the kennel area as well.

Who were/are some of your most significant dogs, both in the whelping box and in the show ring?

For me/us: the dogs that we have carried on with are all an extension of my mother’s breeding. I attribute the success that Stormhill has had over all these years to the development of a strong bitch line that started with Ch. Stormhill San Dahl, a daughter of Ch. Stormhill Silver Dream. “Dahl” was bred to Ch. Shirkhan of Grandeur, which produced the famous Multi BIS & SBIS Am./Mex. Ch. Pandora of Stormhill. All of our pedigrees go back to her. Currently, the stud dog that has had the biggest influence on the dogs we have carried on with is Ch. Pahlavi Puttin’ on the Ritz, “Taco,” who was bred and owned by Karen Wagner.

Over the years, we have had many successful dogs in the show ring. To name a few:

• Multi BIS & SBIS Ch. Stormhill’s Who’s Zoomin’ Who, “Zoomie”
• National Specialty-winning Ch. Calais Sunrise at Stormhill, “Cisco”
• Multi BIS & SBIS Ch. Stormhill’s Silver Star, “Silver”
• Multi BIS & SBIS Ch. Stormhill’s Sweet Dreams at Raffica, “Ella”

A dog I bred and co-owned, Ch. Stormhill’s Red Zinger, is the top Agility Afghan in history. “Zinger” was owned by Robin Kletke, Robin Cohen, and myself. Zinger was trained by and earned all his MACHs and PACHs with Robin Kletke. He retired with 12 MACHs and four PACHs which, I believe, is a record that will never be broken.

You also participate in Agility with your Afghans, just as your mother Virginia Withington did many decades ago in Obedience. Why do you feel it’s important to compete in other disciplines besides Conformation?

Sandra Frei: I’m really a strong believer in participating in both Conformation and Performance events. It’s good for their minds. Aside from Conformation, we have participated in Agility, Obedience, Rally, Lure Coursing, FastCAT, and Therapy Dog. To me, the hardest Performance event has been Agility. They can be perfect in class. Then you take them to a trial and sometimes they do great, but then other times, they trot around like they’re in the show ring, maybe even taking an obstacle or two. As frustrating as it is, we enjoy the people we have met through our involvement in Agility, and the fact that the dogs are judged on their ability.

I’m really a strong believer in participating in both Conformation and Performance events. It’s good for their minds. Aside from Conformation, we have participated in Agility, Obedience, Rally, Lure Coursing, FastCAT, and Therapy Dog. To me, the hardest Performance event has been Agility.

Please comment positively on your breed’s present condition and what trends might bear watching.

Sandra Frei: I would say temperaments are much improved. I think there are some nice dogs out there; however, more attention needs to be focused on structure. Afghans are supposed to be square, which means they should appear balanced when standing and moving. Also, there needs to be more attention paid to soundness.

The sport has changed greatly since you first began as a breeder-exhibitor. What are your thoughts on the state of the fancy and the declining number of breeders? How do we encourage newcomers to join us and remain in the sport?

Sandra Frei: This is a hard question. I think the pandemic, and now inflation and the price of gas, have definitely caused people to rethink their priorities about their involvement in the sport, and which shows or events they choose to attend. We are definitely seeing a decline in the number of litters produced and the number of dogs being shown, particularly in the West.

Today, most of the Afghan litters being bred are on the East Coast. Thus, their entries are larger at most shows and they are able to finish their dogs more easily than we can here. Many of the shows we attend have, maybe, one to six Afghans entered at any given show, if that. It’s nearly impossible to finish a dog locally on a timely basis because of our low entries and lack of majors. At our most recent Evergreen Afghan Hound Club Specialty, we saw our first major in two years, and it was only in dogs. Sadly, the numbers in our breed are dwindling nationwide because breeders have either stopped breeding due to their age or a change in living conditions, or have switched to another breed, usually one that requires less maintenance.

To tell you the truth, I am not sure how we bring newcomers into our breed. However, in the past couple of years here locally, we have had several newcomers to the breed who are showing their dogs in Conformation. All three have joined our local specialty club. Along with myself and other members of our club, we have made a point of introducing ourselves and answering any questions they may have.

Where do you see your breeding program in the next decade or two?

Sandra Frei: I fall into that category of aging breeders. Not sure where I’ll be. When I think about breeding, I do the math. How old will I be when they reach 12 to 15 years of age?

Finally, tell us a little about Sandy outside of dogs… your profession, your hobbies.

Sandra Frei: I am retired. Truthfully, my hobbies now pretty much center around the dogs. I feel blessed to have met so many wonderful people through my involvement in the sport. Judging our breed has taken me to many corners of the world and allowed me to meet many talented breeders from other countries, as well as judge their beautiful dogs.

In closing, I would especially like to thank Terri Vanderzee and her mother, Mary Offerman, for all their help, support, and guidance, which has contributed to Stormhill’s continued success.

Are you looking for an Afghan Hound puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home an Afghan Hound dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

Afghan Hound Dog Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the independent Afghan Hound dog breed with articles and information in our Afghan Hound Dog Breed Magazine.

The post Sandra L. Frei | Stormhill Afghans appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Few spectacles in the purebred dog world engender the feelings of wonder and fascination evoked by the vision of an Afghan Hound at a trot. For those of us who love the breed, the majestic (almost magical) vision never gets old. Athletic, aristocratic, and indelibly unique, the proper movement of the Afghan Hound can, unfortunately, be one of its most misunderstood characteristics. This need not be true. As a coated breed, the Afghan Hound’s movement may require more scrutiny than some others, but a careful reading of the Standard clearly illuminates what we should be looking for.

The AKC Breed Standard for the Afghan Hound has remained unchanged since 1948. This is a badge of honor for the longtime breeders of yesterday and today who have devoted their lives to protecting and preserving this ancient breed. Breeders, exhibitors, and judges owe it to our forebears to stay true to this cherished document.

Afghan Hound’s Movement – Gait

Our Standard says the following about the breed’s gait:

“When running free, the Afghan Hound moves at a gallop, showing great elasticity and spring in hissmooth, powerful stride. When on a loose lead, the Afghan can trot at a fast pace; stepping along, he has the appearance of placing the hind feet directly in the footprints of the front feet, both thrown straight ahead. Moving with head and tail high, the whole appearance of the Afghan Hound is one of great style and beauty.”

Let’s take a closer look at what this paragraph asks for—and how it is too often misinterpreted. If you were to ask a group of dog fanciers to describe the hallmarks of Afghan Hound movement, many of them will likely use the word “spring.” But note: The only time this word appears in the Afghan Hound’s Breed Standard is in the first sentence of the section regarding movement, in which it refers to the gallop, not the trot.

While not necessarily the focus of this article, a basic understanding of the double-suspension gallop is important when evaluating any sighthound. The double-suspension gallop is a four-beat gait marked by two moments of complete suspension when all four feet are off the ground. While galloping, the spring comes from the loin which must be flexible to allow complete and fluid expansion and contraction. Some of the breed’s unique features—the prominent hip bones, large feet with thick pads, and square proportions—evolved to allow the Afghan to work in the harsh and varied terrain of its native land. The breed is required to hunt large game in regions ranging from rocky mountains to more arid desert climates.

The breed is required to hunt large game in regions ranging from rocky mountains to more arid desert climates.

Afghan Hound’s Movement – Trot

Now let’s consider the Afghan at the trot, which is the gait we can evaluate in the show ring.

“When on a loose lead, the Afghan can trot at a fast pace…”

I’m not sure who decided to include the phrase “on a loose lead,” but they have always been a personal hero to me. Nothing is as beautiful as an Afghan that can carry itself with dignity on a totally slack lead. When judging, I never hesitate to ask exhibitors to loosen the lead, and when judging Junior Handlers with Afghans, I consider a loose lead to be an absolute requisite element of breed-specific presentation. As for the fast pace, the Afghan does have a faster trot than many breeds, but we must remember that it is not a race! Often, a good handler will know that moving the dog at excessive speed can mask some soundness faults.

The Afghan Hound Club of America YouTube Channel

I encourage the reader to look at video footage from the 1940s through the early 1960s. The Afghan Hound Club of America has a YouTube channel with great historical footage of such legends as Sunny Shay, Kay Finch, and Lois Boardman showing their dogs. You will see that these iconic ladies took a more casual approach to speed as they presented their dogs with pride. Times do change, of course, so what worked in the 1950s may not work fully today—but perhaps a happy medium can be achieved?

“Stepping along, he has the appearance of placing the hind feet directly in the footprints of the front feet, both thrown straight ahead…”

The importance of the above sentence cannot be overstated! It very clearly illuminates the proper footfall of the breed, implying agility, rhythmic foot timing, and most importantly, soundness! When viewed from the front, the Afghan should reach toward you with the legs as straight columns of support. With the feet kept in line with the body, thrown neither in nor out, there should be no evidence of crossing over, paddling, or flipping the pasterns. The elbows should be held close to the body.

Viewed from the rear, we should see the hind feet placed in the footsteps of the front feet. Thereshould be strong drive from the rear, allowing the pads of the hind feet to be clearly visible. As in the front, the feet should travel straight ahead and in-line with the body. Any evidence of cowhocks or moving too wide or too close should be faulted. Although not clearly stated in the Standard, there is a tendency for the footfall to converge toward the centerline, as with many breeds, under the Hound’s center of gravity as speed increases. The degree of convergence should match, front and rear.

Afghan Hound’s Movement – Side-gait

The side-gait is the Afghan’s crowning glory on the move. Balance and soundness are key. A well-made, balanced Afghan will have the same silhouette on the move as it does when standing still. The frame is hard and athletic, with the topline held solidly on the move. The gait is not the low “daisy-clipping” gait of the Greyhound or Whippet. The proper gait is powerful, but smooth, effortless, and perfectly synchronized. The Afghan should give the appearance of floating around the ring with purposeful, forward motion and a hint of springiness, giving the appearance that it is, at times, hanging in the air—in a word, ethereal.

The movement should give no suggestion of bounce, which is wasted motion. For this, watch for unnecessary vertical movement of the topline. Reach and drive should be balanced, front and rear. Pay particular attention to the flexion of the hock joint at rear extension, as any evidence of sickle hocks or a stiff joint is a significant fault. When the rear foot comes back under the centerline of the dog, it must NEVER overstep the front foot. Such overstepping is a key indicator that the exhibit lacks balance. The topline must be carried level. Hipbones higher than the withers are a fault, but what I would consider a “typical” fault. Toplines that slope from withers to hips are grossly atypical and very faulty.

“Moving with head and tail high, the whole appearance of the Afghan Hound is one of great style and beauty.”

This final sentence speaks for itself. The Afghan Hound is the “King of Dogs,” and as such, should move with pride of race and dignity. The head should be carried high, but should never be ewe-necked or thrown too far back over the topline. It has, instead, a high, forward carriage as the dog moves with purpose.

The tail is an indicator of the temperament and should never be carried below the level of the back when in motion. It should be carried high, providing balance to the neck and head, but not forward over the topline, and certainly not bouncing on the back.

The Afghan Hound in motion is a living, dynamic work of functional art. Breeders, exhibitors, and judges are encouraged to carefully study the movement called for in the Breed Standard and develop an understanding of how this movement is derived from the history and function of this ancient breed.

Unfortunately, the Afghan Hound is a breed in which faulty movement can be quite eye-catching and exciting. The glorious coat can add an additional challenge to judges trying to evaluate movement. It is sometimes necessary to step back and ask if the flashiest dog in the ring is the one that most closely fits the Standard, and therefore, most able to fulfill its purpose. Always remember that style and soundness are not mutually exclusive, and when they occur in one package it is truly a spectacle to behold.

Are you looking for an Afghan Hound puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home an Afghan Hound?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

Afghan Hound Dog Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the elegant Afghan Hound dog breed with articles and information in our Afghan Hound Dog Breed Magazine.

The post Understanding Afghan Hound Movement appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Interview with Hound Group Breeder D. Scott Pfeil – Wynsyr Kennels 

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

D. Scott Pfeil: We live in Ingleside, Illinois, about forty miles northwest of Chicago on 10 beautiful acres with a pond. I have been involved in the sport of purebred dogs for over 35 years and have been breeding for 30 years.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

D. Scott Pfeil: Our kennel name is Wynsyr. Our original breed is the Afghan Hound, and we also breed Salukis and Italian Greyhounds, and have most recently been involved in Greyhounds. We currently keep 13 dogs between our various breeds.

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

D. Scott Pfeil: Two Afghan Hounds immediately come to mind. One of our best-known was MBIS GCH Wynsyr China Doll, our beautiful white bitch who won 22 Best in Specialty Show awards. She won her last BISS at 12 years of age and lived to be nearly 17. Another was BIS MBISS CH Wynsyr Scimitar’s Tyson who was the top-winning Afghan in 2008. “Tyson” was co-owned with Debbie and JW Rogers and piloted by Mark Bettis. In Afghans, the Specialty ring was always our focus and we have bred over a dozen individual BISS winners.

I must also mention our spectacular Saluki bitch, MBIS MBISS GCHS Baghdad A MissDemeanor. “Demi” was bred in Australia by Paula Bockman-Chato of the legendary Baghdad Salukis, and was a multiple all-breed Best in Show winner in Australia, the United States, and Canada. She was the top-winning Saluki (Breed System) in 2016, winning the National plus ten other major Specialties that year. She was universally admired by both breeder-judges and all-rounders, which makes her analogous to a unicorn in the Saluki world!

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

D. Scott Pfeil: In Afghans, our foundation bitch was CH Charlemagne Kiara, a daughter of the legendary CH Elmo’s Tutankhamun. “Kiara” was bred by Barb Wayne and is behind every Wynsyr Afghan bred to this day. We believe firmly in the importance of linebreeding and maintaining pedigrees.

We have also bred three times (between 1998 and 2012) to the dog we consider to be Tutankhamun’s greatest son, CH Paladin the Darkman V Isameh. “Mo” has had a tremendous influence in
our kennel.

BISS CH Wynsyr Out of Africa was also a remarkable sire who consistently stamped his progeny with incredible breed type, sound beautiful, movement, and incredible temperaments. He has produced Group and Specialty winners in each of his litters to date.

Our foundation Saluki bitch, CH Karista’s Tickled Pink, was the dam of 14 champions and won the American Saluki Association’s Brood Bitch trophy in 2015.

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

D. Scott Pfeil: We live on ten acres and have a kennel facility attached to our home. Our kennel hastwelve large indoor/outdoor runs. The kennel has one skylight for every two runs, which brings in a lot of natural light. The dogs are rotated through the exercise yards during the day and are also allowed in the house. We believe that plenty of room for running, fresh air, and natural sunlight are crucial to the dogs’ physical and psychological well-being. Puppies are whelped in our family room so that they can be exposed to all the sounds and hustle & bustle that goes on. Once they are old enough, we invite people over for puppy socialization parties.

What is my “process” for selecting show puppies? At what age do I make my decisions?

D. Scott Pfeil: We always make our evaluations at 8 weeks of age. At that age, we feel they display the balance and construction that they will possess at maturity, and they are also old enough to have an idea of their temperament and aptitude for the show ring.

How do I prepare my pups for the show ring? Does my breed require any special preparation?

D. Scott Pfeil: Socialization is crucial with Sighthounds. Breeds that can be naturally aloof really need to be exposed from a very early age to being approached by strangers, crowded venues, and all the noises that can go along with a dog show. Beyond that they just need a lot of patience, and over-training should be avoided as it makes it boring for the puppy down the road.

Can I share my thoughts on how my breed is currently presented in the show ring?

D. Scott Pfeil: Salukis and Greyhounds are straightforward when it comes to presentation. Afghans are more prone to flights of fad and fashion. Right now, I think we are in a place where the majority of exhibits are properly presented. We will occasionally see excessive trimming/styling and over-stretching on the stack, which emphasizes rear angulation and makes the topline slope.

Are there any health-related concerns within my breed? Any special nutritional needs?

D. Scott Pfeil: Afghans are basically a healthy breed, and breeders are good about checking for hip dysplasia, juvenile cataracts, and auto-immune thyroiditis.

In Salukis, I wish more people would do health testing. The breed does not currently participate in the CHIC program. The primary concerns are heart issues and hemangiosarcoma.

Greyhounds have a very concerning new neurological condition which has been identified in recent years. In a rare breed where the gene pool is fairly limited, this can be problematic. Fortunately, this is being studied and more information is coming to light. It is something that needs attention from breeders.

In my opinion, is my breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?

D. Scott Pfeil: In Afghans, I worry that too many people are sacrificing basic soundness and functionality for extreme side movement. The breed is sharply declining in numbers, with many longtime breeders retiring or passing away while very few new people come into the breed. While there are some gorgeous, correct specimens out there, it does seem like quality is not as strong as it has been in the past. Perhaps it just seems this way because the numbers are so much smaller.

Quality in Salukis tends to stay generally the same as time goes by. I have not seen much change in the condition of the breed during my time in dogs.

Greyhounds are certainly a breed where exaggeration and extremes can easily take over. Too often the leggy, curvy, moderate, classic Greyhound is replaced by examples that are too long in body, low on leg, flat, and over-angulated—often with a huge side gait the breed has not been traditionally known for.

Is my breed well-suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

D. Scott Pfeil: All of our breeds can make fantastic pets for the right families. The Greyhounds, in particular, are perfect companions in our eyes! They are low maintenance and very people-oriented when well-socialized.

Salukis, and particularly Afghans, need a lot of patience. They can be quite independent and manipulative! They do require extra care in socialization and positive training methods. And did I
mention patience?

Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

D. Scott Pfeil: I worry that we are losing too many great Afghan breeders before their knowledge can be passed on to the few newcomers we have coming into the breed. These days, it’s not just about breeding great dogs. We have the onus of making sure that we preserve our history and breed culture by mentoring the younger generation of fanciers. Newer breeders have the responsibility of absorbing this knowledge like a sponge. There is much more to “preservation breeding” than just producing quality puppies!

Most Saluki breeders fit the definition of preservation breeder. While there are different camps and different viewpoints, the breed culture is one truly dedicated to preserving this wonderful
Desert Hound.

The Greyhound community may be small but it is loyal to the breed! In light of the new neurological disease that has been identified, it has been especially wonderful to see the community rally around breeding healthy dogs that are sound in mind and body. With the decline of the racing industry, many people who have fallen in love with the breed via their retired racing hounds will now need to turn to breeders of AKC dogs when looking for their next companion. This places great responsibility on breeders to ensure that their dogs meet the Standard and have the health and temperament that families want in a pet, and I believe that there are some great breeders doing exactly that!

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with a Hound?

D. Scott Pfeil: I had a very promising young Afghan Hound male. I had been working with him every day and taking him to conformation classes. I thought he was amazing and wanted him to be perfect in the ring. He loved doing it and was the perfect show dog. He wanted to please me so badly. I decided we would take a weekend off and go coursing. I wanted to show everyone how great this dog was and I just knew he would be amazing in the field! It was his turn and I made sure EVERYONE was watching this amazing dog. The call came and I released him. He took off! Well, he took off for about 50 feet or so before he realized I wasn’t alongside him. He abruptly stopped, turned around, looked at me, and did the perfect show trot right back to me. He was so very proud of himself. Everyone was watching and everyone was laughing. I was humiliated for about five seconds until I realized that if I was going to spend the rest of my life with this amazing breed, I’d better learn humility fast!

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“My goal is to
have achieved

AKC Lifetime
Number One
Afghan Hound.”

1. When were you first introduced to the sport of purebred dogs? To your breed?

My first time in the show ring with Cruze was in February of 2014.

2. How many years in dogs? How many as an owner handler?

I have owned six Afghan Hounds over a 30-year period. I have been involved in showing dogs, and an owner handler, for seven years.

3. Do you attend show handling classes? Have you attended any handling seminars?

I have attended multiple handling classes and have attended two seminars.

4. Have you found virtual learning tools to be helpful? Classes? Videos? Websites? Social Media?

Yes.

5. Do you compete in the National Owner-Handled Series?
Are rankings important to you?

Yes, I have competed in NOHS, and yes, rankings are very important and satisfying.

6. In which class(es) are you most likely to enter your dog(s)? Why?

I enter my dogs in Best of Breed and Owner-Handled.

7. Is it a challenge to compete with your breed(s) as an owner handler?

Yes.

8. Are you intimidated by the professional handlers? By the judges?

No to both.

9. Who have been your mentor(s) as an owner handler?

Greg Strong and Patty Kageals have been my mentors.

10. How important is the owner handler to the future of the dog sport?

Very important; NOHS gives new participants the opportunity for more success.

11. What are your goals as an owner handler? Is there a victory that has eluded you?

My goal is to have achieved AKC Lifetime Number One Afghan Hound.

12. Is there a funny story that you can share about your experiences as an owner-handler?

As a judge was going over Cruze, my Afghan decided to ransack the judge’s coat pocket, looking for treats. Luckily, the judge found it entertaining. 

Stephen Williams Afghan Hounds.

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