City of Birmingham Championship Show

Judges Critiques

Miss E MILLWARD

Judging: Afghan Hound, Hound Group

Thank you to the society for inviting me to judge at their show and to the exhibitors for entering and allowing me chance to go over their hounds. This appointment was a rearranged appointment from Covid so it had been 5 years since I last judged the breed. 

For me, an Afghan is about balance, and this is what I was looking for. Once exaggerations are allowed in, then we can be on a slippery slope. I am looking for a Hound, one which can do the job they were born to do but trying to find that unique Afghan movement can be challenging and one which are losing worldwide.

 I was very pleased with both my limit and open classes, the fact I awarded the CC and RCC to both 1st and 2nd in both the open classes showed the quality. It is though worrying as a breed the lack of dogs within the lower classes. Hopefully with the litters planned that this will improve next year. 

Class 713 SBD (1 Entries) Abs: 1

Class 714 VD (6 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: LATIMER, Mr & Mrs R E UK Ch Jeremiah De Koulangar At Zharook Jw Vw (Imp), black mask gold male, good head and dark eye, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, balanced angulation front and rear, deep chest, forelegs straight, level topline, correct fallaway, ring tail, moved with a springy movement showing reach and drive. BVIB. 
2nd: JAMES, Mrs Emma & JAMES, Miss Imogen Ch Sitana Aag Toofan, lovely self mask gold male, masculine head and dark eye, scissor bite, good length of neck into shoulder, balanced angulation front and rear, deep chest, forelegs straight, short loin, level topline, correct fallaway finished with a ring tail, in good condition, the floor of the ring today wasn’t in his favour to show off his ground covering sound movement that I know he has. 
3rd: BLOOR, Mr John & BLOOR, Mrs Michelle Ch Pashtari Lord Byron

Class 715 MPD NO ENTRIES

Class 716 PD (2 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: HUGHES, Ms T Istani Bob Dylan At Finkime, 10 month old black and silver male, masculine head with dark eye, scissor bite, good length of neck into shoulder, moderate angulation front and rear, deep chest, level topline, I loved his patterning, moved well in profile. BPD.

Class 717 JD (4 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: PHILLIPS, Mr N & SMITH, Mrs Joanne Xenos Kai Zhaqqari (imp It), 13 month old brindle male, still needs to mature but it is all there. Lovely head and expression, dark eye, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, balanced angulation front and rear, good depth of chest, level topline, prominent hipbones, correct fallaway, he has a really ground covering movement to him showing reach and drive. BJIB.
2nd: DELLA ROCCA, Mrs A Way Up Only God Can Judge Me, 12 month old cream male, correct proportions to his head with dark eye, scissor bite, good length of neck, balanced angulation front and rear, deep chest, level topline with prominent hipbones, ring tail, has a smooth springy movement with a style of high order.
3rd: HERITAGE, Mr A M & HERITAGE, Mrs J P Amaserwah Any Way The Wind Blows At Jazzmeenah (IK

Class 718 YD (2 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: LEES, Mrs Sylvia Altside Micah Hot Prophet JW, an upstanding self mask cream male, he really presents a nice shape on the stack, his head is just for me, he has a nice dark eye, lovely chiselling to foreface, good underjaw and dark pigment, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, balanced angulation front and rear, straight forelegs, deep chest, level topline, good fallaway, well bent stifles, a showman on the move, handled to his best advantage by his clever handler. 
2nd: HARWOOD, Mrs M & Mr M & HARWOOD, Mr Mark Altside Too Hot To Handle Jw, Domino male who is litter brother to first and not unsimilar in many aspects. He has a lovely head with dark eye, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into shoulder, moderately balanced angulation, deep chest, short loin, good fallaway, ring tail, moved true. 

Class 719 GD (3 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: GIZEWSKA, Miss Malgorzata Shahfoladi Thunderbird (ai), this class made me laugh as all three present just decided to have such a good time in the ring, there was far to much going on for all of them than to concentrate on the first go round. My eventual winner was a masculine black and silver male who presented a nice shape on the stack, he is balanced all through, has a good head with dark eye, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into shoulder, balanced angulation, good depth of chest, level topline, correct fallaway finished with ring tail,  moved true covering the ground. 
2nd: HITCH, Ms Melinda & HITCH, Mrs Norma Zendushkas Amarillo, black mask gold male, good head and dark eye, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into shoulder, balanced angulation front and rear, deep chest, straight forelegs, shorter cast in body, correct fallaway, moved true. 
3rd: DRAGE, Mr Mike Zendushkas Born To Run Isjulees

Class 720 PGD (2 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: GILCHIRST, Mrs Alex & MACLENNAN, Mr N Khawari Purple Reign, cream domino male, beautiful head and expression with long foreface and good underjaw, lovely chiselling to foreface, scissor bite, dark triangular eye, good pigmentation, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, one of the best fronts on him with forechest and correct angulations, deep chest, straight forelegs, level topline, ring tail, used his angulation to advantage on the move, moved true. 

Class 721 LD (10 Entries) Abs: 4
1st: GORMAN, Mrs T & GORMAN, Mr P & LATIMER, Mrs P A & Shahfoladi Sphinx Riddle At Zharook (ai) JW, 2 year old black and silver male who is really coming into himself, presented a good shape on the stack, correct head proportions with underjaw, dark eye, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, good depth of chest and forechest, fair spring of ribs, level topline, short loin, prominent hipbones, good fallaway finished with a ring tail, sound on the move, covering the ground with springing movement and a style of high order. In consideration for top honours today. 
2nd: HURL, Mr Richard & HURL, Mrs J & NISBET, Mrs F & F Zandahar Xcuse Me Mister, masculine silver brindle male who is a different type to first, head of correct proportions with nice dark triangular eyes, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, upper arm long and sloping, good balanced angulation front and rear, short loin, level topline, prominent hipbones, good fallaway, covered the ground on the move, shown to his best advantage by his handler. 
3rd: ROPER, Mr David & MOORE, Ms C Sitana The Kingsman At Temenshu

Class 722 OD (7 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: DELLA ROCCA, Mrs A Way Up 2pac Shakur, I first saw this boy when I judged in Italy and was so pleased to see him here today, He is a beautiful example of the breed, your hands just flow over him, you have no lumps, bumps or breaks and completely functional. He presented me with a nicely balanced shape on both the stack and on the move. Beautiful head with correct proportions and expression, good underjaw, lovely chiselling to foreface, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, good return of upper arm, good balanced angulation both front and rear, deep chest, good forechest, straight forelegs, fair spring of ribs, level topline into well set ring tail, prominent hipbones, great length hip to hock, sound mover, the ring wasn’t actually the right ring to really showcase his movement off to its best due to the size but he still covered the ground with a springy action. Pleased to award him the CC and BOB. 
2nd: PARSELL, Mr G & BEANLAND, J & PARSELL, C & THORNTON, Ch Gezancol Never Say Never At Harlextan, another nice example of the breed who presents a lovely shape on the stack, he has a beautiful masculine head and expression with chiselling to foreface, scissor bite, good underjaw, dark triangular eye, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, good return of upper arm, deep chest and good forechest, fair spring of ribs, good balanced angulation fore and aft which we demonstrated on the move, short loin, level topline, correct fallaway into low set ring tail, excellent length hip to hock, on the move he moves true displaying reach and drive. RCC.  
3rd: JAMES, Mrs Emma & JAMES, Miss Imogen Ch Syrdarya Darjeeling Chai Of Simkhan

Class 723 GCD NO ENTRIES

Class 724 SBB (3 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: BELLRINGER, Mrs S Pramya Keep Your Eyes On Me (imp Fin) JW, feminine shaded masked gold bitch with correct head proportions and nice expression, nice dark eye, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into shoulder, balanced angulation fore and aft, ring tail, moved soundly covering the ground. BSB. Pleased to hear she was awarded Special Beginners Group 2, well done.
2nd: LORENZO RIVERS, Mrs Amparo Prestigious How Will I Know, houndy brindle bitch, good head, eye and expression, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into shoulders, balanced angulation front and rear, level topline, correct fallaway into low set ring tail. Moved well. 
3rd: HUDSON, Mrs Nicola Shimalma Izarra

Class 725 VB (3 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: GUNN, Ms C & CANNON, Mrs V Int Ch Lux Ch Amal Salang Hey I'm The Star At Zushkhan, 9 year old black bitch, nice head and dark triangular eye, low set ears,  good length of neck into shoulder, balanced angulation fore and aft, good depth of chest, level topline, moved soundly covering the ground. BVB.
2nd: CHADWICK, Mr Dudley & BRADLEY, Miss Katie Sofico Griselda, a beautiful domino bitch, presents a beautiful shape on the stack, your hands just flow over her, she has a super head, eye and expression, chiselling to foreface, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulders, good forechest, correct upper arm long and sloping, good balanced angulation front and rear, good depth of chest, level topline, correct fallaway into low set ring tail, great length hip to hock. 

Class 726 MPB NO ENTRIES

Class 727 PB (2 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: STEELE, Mrs S. Threadgold Light Fantastic, 9 month old cream bitch, feminine all through, good proportions to head and dark eye, scissor bite, moderate length of neck, balanced front and rear angulation, level topline, ring tail, sound on the move. BPB and BPIB.
2nd: STEELE, Mrs S. Threadgold Angel Delight, litter sister to the winner, similar comments apply, this bitch was very composed on the move, certainly a showgirl, I would prefer more length to her tail.

Class 728 JB (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: LORENZO RIVERS, Mrs Amparo Prestigious How Will I Know

Class 729 YB (2 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: NISBET, Mrs F & FORRESTER, A B & SMITH, Mrs Janic Finix Just A Girl (a.i), 19 month old black and tan bitch who presents a lovely shape on the stack, your hands flow when you go over her, she has a lovely head and expression, dark eye, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, balanced angulation fore and aft, good depth of chest, fair spring of ribs, level topline, good length hip to hock, correct fallaway, ring tail, moved soundly covering the ground.
2nd: RHODES, Mrs S Madeleine & SHAVERNEVA, Ms M & GARRA Alaqadar Ariodante Of Shadowfax (imp), feminine black and silver bitch,  good head proportions, scissor bite, good length of neck into shoulder, balanced angulation, good depth of chest, level topline, correct fallaway, sound on the move covering the ground.

Class 730 GB NO ENTRIES

Class 731 PGB (4 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: SCOTT, Mrs Jackie & SCOTT, Mr Tim Altside Hot Shot At Arushkhan, feminine self-mask cream, beautiful head and expression, chiselling to foreface, good underjaw, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck, balanced angulation front and rear, straight forelegs, deep chest, level topline into good fall away with low set ringed tail, moved well showing reach and drive,
2nd: GILCHIRST, Mrs Alex & MACLENNAN, Mr N Khawari Raspberry Beret, beautiful brindle bitch, loved her head and expression, good underjaw, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, forechest, straight forelegs, good depth of chest, level topline, short loin, balanced angulation front and rear, correct fallaway with ring tail, moved well with her second handler. 
3rd: LATIMER, Mr & Mrs R E & GORMAN, Mr & Mrs P Sitana Moon Star At Zharook JW

Class 732 LB (9 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: BASTOW, Mrs Wendy & BASTOW, Mr Geoff Cloudside Muineira To Karandikar, this bitch’s shape and head just kept grabbing my attention which ultimately won her the class, she has correct head proportions and expression, nice dark triangular eye, good underjaw, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, nice return to upper arm, deep chest, fair spring of ribs, good balanced angulation, short loin, level topline with prominent hipbones, good fallaway and correct tail set, ring tail, sound on the move covering the ground. 
2nd: MILLIGAN-BOTT, Mrs D & BOTT, Mr J Medawlark Attitude Is Key The Wones Thendara(imp.rus), feminine black and silver bitch with a good head and expression, nice dark triangular eye, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, balanced angulations front and rear with good length hip to hock, good depth of chest, fair spring of ribs, level topline, short loin, prominent hipbones, moved true with reach and drive. 
3rd: GLEED, Miss V & MCPHERSON, Mr I Saviour And My Salvation At Ksiadz

Class 733 OB (9 Entries) Abs: 3
1st: DOWD, Miss C & MALIA, Miss A Ch Saxonmill Mirror Image, I first saw this bitch as a six month old puppy, since then, I’ve competed against her and have admired her from afar but never had the chance to put my hands on her.  Today, I got that chance, and was not disappointed. This beautiful black and silver bitch had all that I was looking for. This houndy bitch is balanced all through, correct head proportions and expression, good underjaw, dark triangular eye, scissor bite, low set ears, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, upper arm long and sloping, good angulation front and rear, good depth of chest, fair spring of ribs , level topline, short loin, prominent hipbones with correct fallaway, excellent length hip to hock, loved her coat pattern, she has a smooth and springy gait with a style of high order covering the ground. Pleased to award her the CC. 
2nd: GILBERT, Mr R Ch Altside Hot As Hell At Affietar, This silver brindle bitch is the ultimate showgirl, she certainly knows what a style of high order means, I just love this about her. She is so feminine with a correctly proportioned head, nice dark eye, chiselling to foreface, good length of neck into well laid shoulders, good return of upper arm, good depth of chest, fair spring of ribs, short loin, level topline, prominent hipbones with correct fallaway and tailset. She is a smooth springy gait using all that was given to her. In profile she uses her angulation to cover the ground showing reach and drive. Beautifully presented and handled. RCC. 
3rd: HALL, Mrs Roberta Ch Saxonmill Majic Mirror