RNSWCC Official Lecture to the Judge's Training Scheme
Wendye Slatyer (Calahorra Afghan Hounds, Australia)
(Page 3)
AFGHAN HOUND AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER
(VOLUME 1 NUMBER 1 SPRING 1996)
PUBLISHED BY SAHJOBE PTY LTD, 501 LAWS FARM ROAD, LOWER PORTLAND
NEW SOUTH WALES 2756, AUSTRALIA, TELEPHONE 61 45 791 266
FACSIMILE 61 45 791 255, EMAIL (sahjobe@eagles.bbs.net.au)
SO WHAT IS TYPE?
Four Afghan Hounds. While differing one from the other,
they each represent the essence of Afghan Hound 'type'
and demonstrate the uniqueness and importance of
the breed's hallmarks.
Dutch Ger Belg Am Ch Ophaal of Crown Crest,
imp Holland to USA)
The Saluki is probably the only other breed with as
many acceptable variations of type as the Afghan Hound
- and of course it obviously developed along the same
lines and from the same original genetics, although
there are now several basic differences which should
be given the importance they deserve by both breeders
and judges. In his review of Vera Watkin's (Windswift)
renowned book Saluki - Companion of Kings Julian
Guthrie says that variety itself was always under threat
from those who promoted their own type as 'correct',
Miss Watkins wishing to see the many and various Saluki
characteristics retained and not homogenised, it being
human nature that self interest is most often served
before anything is preserved. This discussion of the
importance of variety of type is just as relevant to the
Afghan Hound.
And from The Complete Afghan Hound by Constance
O Miller and Edward M Gilbert Jnr comes Jackson
Sanford's comment..."The breeder will best solve his
problem who does not lose sight of the fact that his is
a task rather of preservation than improvement."
Am Can Ven Ch Shirkhan Of Grandeur
One of America's most famous breeders, Lois
Boardman (Akaba) wrote in Afghan International
..."What is Afghan type? To me, the very things asked
for in our breed standard - the components that set
our breed apart from all others - namely "the look of
eagles", the long silky topknot, the sloping croup and
low tail set, the prominent hip bones, the ringed
"monkey" tail, the short slick saddle hair with silky body
hair AND the peculiar coat pattern showing 'cuffs' on
the front and back legs. These are the things that make
an Afghan Hound a true member of his ancient proud
race! Just take these items away, one by one, from
your mental picture of an Afghan, and slowly you will
be seeing just another dog".
On the age old argument of type versus soundness,
she says..."Well, to win in the ring we must strike the
happy medium of both, as type without soundness will
rarely win. Afghans, and all dogs for that matter, must
be as functionally sound as possible. but NEVER should
breed type be sacrificed for just sound, furry beasts,
galloping around the ring that is scheduled for Afghan
Hounds. . . "
Am Ch Crown Crest Mr Universe . Eng Ch Oregano Taragon Of Karnak
 . 
Afghan Hound Australia Spring 1996
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