"OUR AFGHANS"
The Independent Voice of the Afghan Hound Breed
45th Year Of Publication
"FUN"
Breed Standards
1. THE DOG SHOW JUDGES STANDARD
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The first impression of a good judge should be that of a tough-minded but fair, alert and gentle specimen. Muscular fitness and nimbleness are desirabe but not mandatory. as soft living seems unavoidable in the breed. The judge should be stamped with a look of nobility and justice - difficult to define, but always unmistakable after the show. The good judge has a distinct personality marked by a direct and fearless - but not hostile - expression of self-confidence and that contain aloofness which does not lend itself to immediate didiscriinate friendships - or at lest does not admit to such friendships until later back at the motel.
Secondary sex characteristics should be strongly marked, lest when the judge hands you a ribbon, you say, "Thank you Sir" to a lady or vice versa. The question of monorchids or cryptochids should be left to your florist.
COAT:
In cold climates, the judge should be equipped with a double coat. Underwear may vary with the season. At no time however, may a judge shed it in the ring.
PROPORTION:
The most desirabe proportions for a femal judge are 38-23-36; however you may settle for 23-23-23, or, as I hve at times 22-35-48. The shape of a male judge is less important - but great bulk ad commanding appearance is greatly preferred.
PIGMENT:
Lets not get into this again. All colors are permissible! I have personally not seen a blue judge, but there is always a first time.
SIZE:
The judge should be neither too tall nor too short. As a rule of thumb, if he must sink to his knees to pat the dog, he is probably too tall. On the other side if he must jump into the air to test testicles, he is probably too short. Measurements should be taken from the top of the head, with the hair parted or pushed down so that it will show only the actual height of the judge's frame or structure. A judge of proper flesh should average betwen 70 and 340 lbs, depending primarily upon sex and how fat he or she is.
GAIT:
Judges who tend to locomote on all fours shuld be avoided, as should those who stagger and fall down a lot. Forward motion should be achieved by placing one foot in front of the other. Hopping is also permitted and, in fact, often makes for better showmanship.
STANCE:
While viewing the dogs, the judge should stand in the center of the ring, feet spread as at "parade rest", the right hand held firmly in the left armit. The chin must be tucked solidly into the chest, eyes squinting. Once the judge has assumed this position, the steward should count the number of times the class circles. If that could should exceed 20, he might then unobtrusively poke the judge in the ribs. Older, more experienced judges have been known to doze of in this position, while younger specimens, particularly members of the party-going set, might still be so gassed from the pre-show festivities that they have passed out.
MINOR FAULTS:
Muteness: It is preferred if a judge can speak in audible tonesm, but his vocabulary may be limited to phrases such as "loose leads!", "walk them!", "one more time around!", and the numbers one to three must be heard, if this is impossible, a set of flash cards should be provided.
Blindness: It is an advantage if the judge has full use of both eyes. However, some of the best-known specimen manage to get by without any apparent eye sight at all, and as this does not seem to hinder their careers in the lest, perhaps sight requirements are due to be revised and excluded from the standard.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
Judge who whoop, holler and point, or who laugh at an exhibitor entering the ring with a particularly pos specimen, should be disqualified. Likewise, a judge who delays proceedings while handlers make checks out to him in the ring is not permitted to participate further. Any Judge who attacks a handler in the ring is warned three times in writing, after which he must be dismissed. (Author unknown or currently in hiding) Our Afghans May 2002
2. STANDARD FOR BREEDER/OWNER/HANLER
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The ideal is an energetic far-sighted specimen with the courage and persevernce of a hound and a natural antipathy for losing. He/she shoud appear neither clumsy nor awkward, as a certain amount of speed and agility is essential for doing their thing. They are usually found in packs at dog shows.
SIZE:
Overall balance (mental and physical) is of more value than absoute size.
HEAD:
The width between the ears varies with wins or loses. Surmounted by a topknot of long or short hair, either flat, wavy or rather curly. On occasion may be thinningat the top or completely bald, though the latter is rather rare in females. The male is sometimes bearded. Again this is rare in females but not unheard of.
NOSE:
A pinkish tinge during the summer months. This should not be penalized on an otherwise good specimen.
EARS:
In proportion to the head. Ability to listen while in the company of elder and wiser breeders is greatly desired.
MOUTH:
Large enough to put foot in. A slight bulge in the jaw denotes a liver bait depository.
BODY:
Short coupled variety, usually plump and well padded in hindquarters. Flabiness is to be penalized. Long-coupled variety: lean an sinewy. Extra size being no disadvantage in either variety, provided it does not interfere with freedom of action.
SHOULDERS:
Never drooping. Broad enough for slapping or crying on
CHEST:
Plenty of room for heart.
FOREARMS:
Flexible and well-muscled, caused by lifting crates, putting up tents, carrying dogs and much grooming.
HANDS:
Working specimens will have short, chewed nails - signs of length shall be penalized, as an indication of inadequate routine maintenance and/or show prep activities.
LEGS AND FEET:
Very muscular and flexible. Endurance is not of great importance. Knees well bent and pitted by small stones from kneeling outdoors.
TEMPERAMENT:
Aloof and dignified, even elegant while working. A chearful spirited and tractable disposition is desired when in the company of the pack. Shyness among strangers is not considered a fault, however, rumor-mongering and viciousness in any degree is a disqualification.
GENERAL FAULTS:
Over-grooming, tardiness in arriving for a ring call, bad sportmanship and back-biting.
(Author unknown) Our Afghans September 2003Email Ruth Weddle at "Our Afghans".
OUR AFGHANS Magazine -- Publication No. 703040 -- is published monthly at a subscription rate of $30.00/year, in the U.S, $37.00/year in Canada and overseas by WEDDLE PUBLICATIONS, 22235 Parthenia Street, West Hills, CA 91304-1348. Periodicals Class postage paid at Canoga Park, CA O1304-1348
