(Afghan Hound Database and Breed Information Exchange)
FRANCE (By Steve Tillotson August 2016)
EARLY AFGHAN HOUNDS IN FRANCE c. 1930 From FALAPA (French Club Of Asian Sighthounds Amateurs Persians and Afghans) we learn that the earliest date Afghan hounds arrived in France was 1930 - "Mrs Bourcey, (Kennel "Original") had the idea to fall in love with two Afghan Sight-hounds, that she met by chance as she was walking around the country. It was in the year 1930 " . The FALAPA website goes on to explain the history of the club that was founded by Mrs Bourcey in 1939 and that the Afghan hound was first registered in the French book of origins in 1935.
FOUNDATION KENNELS IN FRANCE 1935 The foundation Afghan hound kennels in France included - Marguerite Bourcey (Original) Michele Demarne (Des Ailes) Jacqueline P Fourniols (la Goutte d'Or) Mr Louis Fayolle (Château des Roches) Mrs Bourcey imported two Afghan hounds from England in 1935, a dog - Azura Talib (Chota Sahib x Yasmin) and a bitch Nalini Of Enriallic (Asman Of Ghazni x Chimoso Of Enriallic) which formed the foundation of her "Original" kennel. These two imports also formed the foundations for the other kennels (Des Ailes, la Goutte d'Or, Chateau des Roches) mentioned above. AN EARLIER REFERENCE TO AFGHAN HOUNDS IN FRANCE c 1926/7? AHT has uncovered some archive information and photographs published in the French magazine - "La Vie à la campagne" in March 1930. that confirm the existance of Afghan hounds, and evidence of their being bred in France as early as 1926/7. Mr Chauvet was a member of the French archaeological delegation in Afghanistan (DAFA) working in Afganistan in 1925. Mr Chauvet knew Mary and Pat Amps (Ghazni), Mary Amps wrote about Mr Chauvet as follows - "Monsieur Edouard Chauvet has some very nice dogs, a number are already in France" . Below is the original Chauvet article as published in "La Vie à la campagne", March 1930. .-- Published in "La Vie à la campagne" (E Chauvet, Paris March 1930 Translated from the original French article) The Afghan Greyhound, called Tazi by the natives of South Afghanistan, is an almost completely unknown animal in France, as far as we know. This dog has all the qualities one can ask an animal of its species: it is brave as a Dane, as affectionate a Poodle , as intelligent as a Fox; it runs like a Deerhound, jumps like a Berger of Alsace and joins all this elegance and beauty, that in the opinion of all who know him, leaving far behind the beauty and elegance of the Dog breeds most famous for these qualities. ORIGIN The Afghan Greyhound most likely belongs to the family of Oriental Greyhounds, of which the best known are the Sloughi and the Persian. The climate in which the original Greyhound had to live, salt on which he had to run, the hunting ground where he had to look for prey brought home, over the ages, deep changes that have divided Oriental Greyhouds into several races. The Afghan Hound has formed and continues to live in the southern region of Afghanistan, at altitudes of 2000 and 3000 m., Where it is not uncommon for the thermometer down to 20 or 25 degrees below zero farenheit. Hence the protective fleece of fine hair that covers the sides and legs of this dog, and that gives him the impression of fun to wear pants like a cowboy touriure in the Far West. The Tazi is not used and can not be an inhabitant of the hot plains; The Afghan Greyhound is a mountain dog, and it is natural that the habitat is on the harsh and cold plateaus of Central Asia. Add to these conditions the climacteric nature of the soil, rocky and arid, steep terrain, ravines, full of holes, where the rare game hides. These living conditions of the Afghan Hound are a powerful animal, an uncommon endurance and able to gallop over rough terrain, slower perhaps than his brothers or Sloughis and Persian Greyhounds, but with much longer endurance. MYTHS/LEGENDS VS REALITIES. The origin of the Tazi is probably very old, and has given rise to different assertions. My knowledge and personal experience allows me to demonstrate some flaws (in some earlier writings). For example, in an article in the canine publication "Dog World" (2 January 1925), Miss Evelyn Denyer, a founding member and secretary of the Aiglian Hound Club of London based her argument for the antiquity of the Afghan hound on considerations at least curious: "According to documents in the British Museum, the Afghan Hound (or Barakzai Kabul Hound), the sport of Dog Sirdars Northeast Afghanistan, is the oldest domesticated race; in fact in Balkh, his country of origin, it is believed that the dogs of this species entered the ark with Noah. That story being true or not, there is strong evidence of the extremely remote antiquity of the race in caves of Balkh, where you can find engraved in the rock, reliefs exactly similar to the the Afghan Hound of today; and of these reliefs, inscriptions are a lot more recently, were written by the invaders, commanded by Alexander the Great. " These assertions fall under the "legend", rather that they representing the true facts. Indeed, Barakzais are members of the royal family currently reigning over Hindou Kouch. On the other grazes the Tazi is completely unknown in the North of the Hindu Kush country, stifling climate in which this race could live. Third, there is at Balkh caves or rock engraved with Dogs or inscriptions' dating back to the soldiers of Alexander the Great. Also consider as erroneous the following statements: "Afghan Greyhounds Dogs are sacred to the royal family in Afghanistan, writes Miss J, C Manson, a member of the Afghan Hound Club. They are carefully guarded. The males are used for hunting, but the bitches are intended for monitoring of women and do not see anyone else, and display extraordinary timidity. " Dog, is an unclean animal to Muslims, and may not be considered sacred in Afghanistan, the land of Islam is religious: The dogs may be prized in that world, by the royal family in particular. Similarly to the following considerations on hunting by the Greyhounds. "Invariably, Miss Evelyn writes, they hunt in pairs, male and female, biting the hindquarters of prey and the dog jumping at his throat." In Animais magazine (January 1925), Miss J, C. Manson writes: "In the East, we find these dogs (the Tazis) in two colors: fawn with black spots or mottled and white, except for a resort (only), they are white. The entirely white dogs are highly sought after according to the natives. My (Chauvet) Afghan Hound " Blerek "is black. my (Chauvet) "Shady" is black with gray muzzle and ears. Mr. W. L. Amps,the architect of the Legation Columbia, began at the same time as I to select the breed in Afghanistan. Mr. Amps also took some beautiful gray iron specimens to England. As for "the place" where one can find all white Afghan Greyhounds, I admit to not knowing. What I do know is that thet white Tazi is not uncommon, I saw it often in his home country and in many localities. It is also less desirable because less beautiful and less solid general. EUROPEAN IMPORTS. The Afghan hound appeared in. Europe in 1906 with the Dog Zardin, its owner,Capt Barff, presented Zardin the following year at the Cruftrs show organized by the Kennel Club of London. The earlier Afghan hounds imported before Zardin, such as Shazada, Mrs Whitbread's Dog, were gypsies. Shahzada is currently preserved and displayed in one of the windows of the Museum of Natural History Keusington, London. Another earlier hound was Afghan Bob, bought in 1902 in Peshawar (India) by Captain Cary Barnard and shown many times by its owner (successfully, as Zardin was still unknown), Shahzada and Bob were poor specimens of highly crossbred Sloughies or Persian Greyhounds. Zardin, however, was definitely a thoroughbred animal, and he did, at the time, cause such a sensation that the king and queen of England expressed their desire to examine him closely. So this canine prince had the honour of crossing the threshold of Buckingham Palace under the leadership of Mr. Sewel (Crufts Veterinarian). Before being exhibited in London, Zardin had known much premier success in India, at the 'Dog Show of Quetta", not far from Seistan, Afghanistan, from where he came. ZARDIN 1906 IKC DESCRIPTION (This is Mr Chauvet's translation from the original Indian Kennel Club English into Mr Chauvet's native French, then translated back by AHT from Mr Chauvet's French To English. We wanted to try to preserve Mr Chauvet's nuances in his original translation and intepretation of the original IKC document) Zardin Greyhound is a clear dress, almost white, with a black muzzle. It has very long and strong jaw and a mouth where the upper and lower teeth are level without overlap; its head resembles that of a Deerhound; however, the skull is oval with a prominent occiput; the head is topped with fine hair; ears rather large, very hairy and for each side of the head; dark eye, little or no stop; neck long and strong, well arched, with an elegant curve to the shoulder, which is long, sloping and well laid back; the back is strong, powerful and slightly arched, supple (flexible), falling to the tail, which is almost hairless'. down the most. Zardin has strong front legs straight, and covered with hair; distance between the elbow and knee. The front legs are long, wide and covered with long hair. Not too close to the chest powerful back, extremely muscular, large distance between the articulation of the hip and shin, which is low and strong .; good curve in the pants, hind feet shorter than the front feet, but rather wide and well protected with long hair. The rump, flanks, are provided with a protective coat, thick and thin, showing some undercoat. The fur is shorter on the back. This is a beautiful Greyhound, looking strong and active, and it may, I believe be considered as a typical specimen. Its characteristics are to be elegant and proper footing, a combination of speed and power. Great head length. Length and width of the feet that are protected by a long fur, finally general line full of grace. Zardin size is about 28 inches. "This is indeed a description of as pure a Tazi as can be found even in some parts of Afghanistan. Following the sensation produced by Zardin, English breeders tried to get Afghan Greyhounds specimens. It was not without difficulty, Afghanistan as a country until 1922 remained virtually closed to foreigners. However, near the armistice, Major G. Bell Murray managed to take to his kennels in Dumfriesshire, Scotland a group of Tazis' who gradually assumed importance. He was able to exhibit some interesting dogs successfully, especially Potentate, Buhadur and Ranee, which attracted and still attract the attention of lovers of the dog shows Crufts, Crystal Palace and the Ladies Kennel Association. OFFICIAL RECOGNITION BY THE KENNEL CLUB England - were lucky to get the chance to be the European country where the Tuzi made his first appearance and since Zardin exhibition in 1907, Island breeders have not wasted their time. Despite the difficulty of procuring Tazis they have, with rare specimens they had, made commendable efforts to acclimate the race, select and close as possible to the ideal type. If they still feel far to go, noting the relative quality of the subjects with which they started. This gap will also be filled by recent and very remarkable shipments by MLW Amps, which will renew the race and give it a new force, precisely when one (1) "Afghan Hound Breed" has been recognized by the Kennel English Club. You know that in England the official recognition of a breed of dogs is possible only under very strict conditions. In particular, it is necessary that the number of subjects was registered in the UK is at least 80 and that the minimum number of "registrations" covers a 4 year period. In addition, no "challenge certificate" is issued unless Dogs at least 20 of the newly recognized breed have been registered during the previous year. These conditions could not be reached in December 1924. Immediately, the main breeders met to discuss the establishment of an Afghan Hound Club and February 26, 1925, the breed of Afghan Hound received his Official citizenship, the Kennel Club recognized the legal existence of the Afghan Hound Club. The new canine association's president Major G. Bell-Murray, and rightly, since it is to him that English fans are liable for the introduction and admission Afghan greyhound in Britain. BREED STANDARD. (1925 Denyer Standard) The currently adopted Prototype is: Looks: an aspect strong and active, power combining speed with a full line of grace Size: Dogs: about 28 inches (71 cm.). Bitches: 25 to 26 inches (63-66 cm) at the shoulder. Head oval with prominent occiput. Jaws: Long and strong; level of teeth. Ears: Long. Eyes: Dark, little or no stop. neck; long, strong, arched, hanging by a curve in the shoulder. Shoulders: long and sloping, well laid back. Back: strong; powerful and slightly arched hindquarters, falling to the tail. Front: straight and strong, large distance between the elbow (which is right) and knee. feet: very large, both in width and in length, well arched toes, feet covered with long fur and thick hairs. Chest: deep and not too close. Hindquarters: powerful, well muscled, long distance between the articulation of the hip and shin, which is low and strong; good curve in the pants. Hind Feet: large, but not as long as the front feet, fingers arched, feet covered with long, thick fur. Body: with strong ribs and thinned under the hindquarters. shorter on the back, flanks well covered ribs and forequarters of a long and thick coat of fine hairs; ears and four very hairy feet; head topped with a tuft of long silky hair. All points of the Afghan official list of characteristics are taken from the description of Zardin ("Indian Kennel Gazette", October 1906)
The prototype is very incomplete; it contains an error on the size of the Tazi. Mr. Amps, which, as I have already said, began almost at the same time as me, in Kabul, the Afghan hound breeding, suggested the president of the Afghan Hound Club of London to change this prototype based on the following points: "tail: brought up with very little hair; it has a special and characteristic curve at the end. (The Afghan Hound must not have a tail like the Sloughi). Size: the best subjects found in Afghanistan rarely exceed 26 inches (66 cm.). Too large, they are often prone to become lazy and weak, and they lose in speed and endurance. The bitches are usually smaller than an inch and a half (3 cm. 7). Abundant fur is important, as is good tuft on the head. sometimes there are dogs that do not have this characteristic long hair; they are probably from crosses between Afghan Greyhounds and Sloughis. Features: the Tazis are extremely intelligent and gifted with extraordinary acuity of sight and hearing. Very courageous and steadfast, they are able to make Watchdogs on which we can rely." I'm on all these points entirely in agreement with Mr. Amps. The tail of the Afghan hound, he is not mentioned in the current prototype, is one of the most characteristic parts of Tazi. It is a kind of rat tail, long enough, almost hairless, wrapped to the end. It is curious that the observer saw Zardin carry his tail low, while almost all good Tazis I have seen in Afghanistan are rather up and wound hunting horn tail. Similarly, when the observer speaks of 28 inches (71 cm.) To the size of Zardin, I'm very tempted to believe that he committed a mistake of appreciation it would be unfortunate to see maintained in the Prototype . Breeding Tazi to the large size is a mistake to avoid. The just observations of Mr Amps, I do not see one word to add, regarding the dress of the Afghan Hound. Despite what some English breeders, the Tazi can be found in all colors, from white to black, passing through all ranges of fawn and grey. The dress is sometimes a uniform color, black or white for example. Most often, two tones predominate, legs, flanks and the occipital tuft being clear, while the back (where the fur is shorter) is darker. The silence of Prototype English regarding the dress is perfectly justified. It remains a good color scheme in the dress gives the dog a better overall appearance. Thus if in the many Tazis wild two-tone, muzzle and ears are black bottom, if, in addition, the eye is surrounded by a circle of dark lashes, giving the impression Dog fun makeup, the shape of the animal is thereby significantly improved. Finally the judges must give attention to the nose of the Tazi, which, in my opinion, must in all cases be black. A clear nose, besides removing beauty to the face so expressive, often reflects a general weakness, a tendency to degeneration. TO HAVE TAZIS. In Afghanistan, Tàzis are owned by simple peasants who lead a difficult existence on the Southern Highlands. Despite the humble condition of their owners, these dogs are not easier to get for it. Afghan breeders do not like to part with his dog, not that he has for him, in general, a particular condition, but for the simple reason that the Tazi, driving under his direction, killing him foxes which he resells quite expensive skin in the bazaar of Kabul. Like the other hand, a beautiful Tazi is rare even in Afghanistan, it often takes months of research, patience and diplomacy to secure a good specimen, always besides a high price. To cite an example, it took the desperate efforts and persuasive eloquence of Mr. Zia Humayoun, private secretary of the Emir, to make me get my Bitch Perak, whose father, now recorded at the Indian Kennel Club under the name of Ghazni Khan, had been dearly bought, a few months earlier, the same native, Mr. Amps and with almost as many difficulties. In this kind of hunt Tazis, the "vein" plays a big role, but it must be caused by an angelic patience of many explorations and often unpleasant in distant and almost inaccessible villages, where the existence of Greyhounds was reported to rightly or wrongly. It is true that owning one of these amazing animals always been well paid for my trouble. And yet, when you tear to his Afghan owner and the environment in which he lived, your dog is not a show animal. It is usually incredibly dirty and covered in lice and flower flies. His hair, which had never been treated or brushed hangs everywhere in long matted strips. The proud Tazi like a beggar, but a beggar with ongoing gentleman-like.To get him him really presentable often takes several days. One or two hot baths water crésylée accompanied by a solid black soap wash gets rid of the parasites. Then attempt restoration of its fur, with a lot of combs and brushes. Only then does the dog finally got rid of his hair death and begins to take shape. It lends generally well in this series of hitherto completely unknown operations and even after a few days, it shows a real satisfaction when daily grooming; it nevertheless shows for good food. After approximately two to three weeks, he clearly understood the benefits of the new situation and begins to show signs of attachment and affection to his new master. From that time, the habit is taken, and I have confidence in my new dog. He understood and, on its first outing with me joyfully and obediently gallop with my horse, without showing the slightest inclination to escape. Do not accuse the Tazi indifference and ingratitude to his former master on the basis of this relatively quick acclimatization. In fact, he regrets it hard for the first few days, and spent hours crying with the lamentable howls. But, even more than good food, sweet words and caresses to which the animal has never been used quickly because of her sadness. The Afghan Hound is an extremely loving and affectionate animal; it is extraordinarily sensitive to interest in it. It is there that we must seek the reason for the rapid attachment to a new master who considers him a companion and not as a working tool. For it is in this way that the Afghan mountain looks at his dog. It treats usually very brutally, and gives him more blows than bone marrow, under the ridiculous pretext that a small dog is hungry and ardent hunting dog that a strong and well fed I Do not be surprised if the Afghan Hound with his affectionate temperament, quickly attaches to a master who loves and cares for him. And yet I never dared to one of my dogs in the presence of the man with whom he hunted, lived and suffered for months. That would place the Tazi loyal to a moral dilemma where myself, despite my care and my respect for him, could well be wrong. Livestock management. Start your breeding with good subjects. Wean the puppies to 18 or 21 days. For general care of livestock, see the monograph Deerhound published in this Journal (i). The care of the Deerhound may apply to the Tazi. Brush fur once per day. Get Tâzl in the great outdoors, a wide space for it to take the exercise it needs, a meat diet and hygiene. CURRENT PRICES. (as of 1925/1926) Afghan Hounds are rare and difficult to acquire, even in their country. In addition, the transport from Afghanistan to France, at the current exchange rates, amounts to fabulous sums. In India, the railway ticket for a dog is much more expensive than that of a native servant. Experience has shown that dogs of this value must be accompanied throughout by a competent person to have a chance to arrive in good condition after the long traveling on the boat (17 to 18 days of Bombay in Marseille) ; still have to take care of sending them in winter to avoid stifling their temperature prevailing in the monsoon periods, in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. This means that we are still far from the day the Tâzl become accessible to the average Dog enthusiasts. Far from giving, moreover, prices swell as a result of the recent vogue enjoyed by Greyhounds in England and America. The few puppies at weaning (18 days), some English breeders were willing to even split in August 1926 for 15 guineas and prices reached in December from 25 to 30 guineas (3200 to 4000 fr.) . This is already a rather nice sum when you consider that the puppies defects can not be recognized by their owners. Adult animals, especially if they have been awarded prizes are reaching prices at which we are still not used to in France. Moreover, breeders take little to part. They have, indeed, an urgent need for their breeding to maintain and develop a breed that still counts in Europe a few dozen subjects. But I am sure that these difficulties will only stimulate the emulation of French fans. The breeding of the Afghan Hound certainly require at first a sizable down payment, but it will enable the first good dogs to come into the hands of serious breeders who have an already proven competence, that will quickly bring the race to the level already England reached and even exceeded if the breeding is conducted. I do not think I am mistaken, predicting a great future in Tazi and French breeders who seriously occupy interesting reports. One has only to observe the sensation caused by Afghan hounds in dog shows in London and New York to realize that the Tazi is luxury dog and accreditation that will tear into France as soon as he is known there. It is already, "a coming dog" that adds intelligence to the beauty, like the prints "Bystander" (February 1925) in its illustrated page on the canine Cruft exhibition. "The Indian Kennel Gazette" notes that Afghan Greyhounds "are, without doubt, one of the biggest attractions of the most famous dog shows where they are now exhibited in England and America. Their boxes are usually surrounded by an admiring and curious crowd. Some subjects have only falled to attract the true connoisseurs, and their place in the world is assured by exhibitors." Edw.-L.-H. Chauvet Related content Races de Chiens by Compte Henri Bylandt Early Afghan Hounds Section Indian Kennel Club Description of Zardin 1906 Mrs Drinkwater (Geufron) and Dr Porter (el Kabul) re differences in type (Bell-Murray and Ghazni) AHA 1966 Recognition of the Afghan hound by The Kennel Club 1926 (by Steve Tillotson, 2011) Shahzada/Zardin and the Afghan Hound Breed Standard (by Steve Tillotson, 2011) Afghan Controversy What is the correct type? (Courtesy E Banks, 1991) USA Afghan Hound Breed Standard The Classical Compromise by Steve Tillotson, 2012 Afghan breeders turn back the clock to the Amps and their early imports (Bill Hall, c1975) |
