"MOVEMENT IN THE SHOW RING"
Anne Mathers. Metewand Afghan Hounds
Northern Ireland 1994
Page 5 (Final)
Here's another interesting experiment which shows the benefit
of long bones and angles for smoothness and shock absorbency. Go outside, Fill the
dog's bowl to the brim and carry it in one hand. Now nearly halve the number of angles
and length of arm by holding your elbow tight into your side. What happens? Now you
know why I said do it outside. There is a further shock absorber in the front pastern which
should be 'long and sloping' giving plenty of give when the foot meets the ground. I hate
seeing an upright pastern. They are usually short and go with short bones throughout
the forehand giving a column effect. Movement of the front leg should be from the shoulder,
see page 80 of Margaret Niblock's book, not from the elbow, page 100 of Harry Glover's book,.
The whole leg must unfold and reach right forward as the hind pushes. When the foot comes
down to the ground it should do so as near as possible vertically downward from the limit of
reach, not be brought back in towards the dog again. There should be follow-through again.
Now the leg should be bent at wrist and elbow to enable it to clear the ground ready for the next forward reach Because the shoulder blade is not fixed it too can move, and does sometimes as much as 15° from it's static position, giving an almost straight line from extended foot to the
top of shoulder.
Heavens! What a lot of words to say that an Afghan should move smoothly and with
spring, showing flexibility, reach in front and drive behind. The portion on gait in our
standard that says 'with a style of high order' is really not much help, as 'style' means
one thing to one person and something quite different to another. Much better to look
at the other pointers - Head must be held proudly, should show speed and power, tail
raised in action etc. I think to show proper attitude of mind and STYLE the Afghan's lead
should only be there to fulfill the K.C. regulations. Afghans should move freely and
happily on their own. I hate to see an Afghan strung up like a terrier. Usually these dogs
fall to pieces if asked to go on a loose lead.
Balanced movement has much to do with the overall effect. The front and back should
move in sync. Neither bit looking as if it's doing all the work, nor as if it is being impeded
in any way. We want economy of movement, the smallest number of strides to cover the
greatest amount of ground. All the foregoing has to do with the dog moving side on.
Coming and going (usually referred to as soundness) is just as important. I do believe
that at show gait the dog should not single track. The front legs should come towards
you perfectly parallel, with some distance between them to denote the presence of a
chest, and with no wobbling at the elbows or flicking in or out at the pastern, this is
simplifying things, the extraordinary things that legs can get up to are legion, as I'm sure
you have seen from time to time. From the front you should not be able to see the back
legs as they should move in exactly the same line as the front. Similarly from behind,
no view of the front, the hind legs parallel and with some space between them. Any
exhibitor who moves his dog in anything other than a proper straight line towards and
away from you should be made to do it again and again if necessary. This suspicious
bod would think they were trying to hide something.
Normal gait for dogs at walk and trot is diagonal, i.e. one front leg to opposite side rear
leg. Sometimes they pace or move front and back leg on the same side at the same time.
This is usually done at the walk and is done because it is easier and less tiring and can
become a habit. It should not be done at the trot. Usually a jerk to put the dog off balance for a moment is sufficient to correct it.
Coat. Is it possible to write anything about Afghans without mentioning coat? The
enormous coats on many of our Affies today can be very confusing, especially black and
tans. Do watch very carefully to make sure that a flapping coat does not deceive the eye
especially when the dog is coming and going
.
ANNE MATHERS 1994
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