THE WELSH KENNEL CLUB

Judges Critiques

Miss C MILLWARD

Judging: Afghan Hound, Hound Group

I would like to firstly thank the Welsh Kennel Club for the invitation to judge at one of my favourite shows, always the friendliest of committees and well run shows. This was an appointment that sadly the covid break in shows meant a 4 year wait for, but it didn't disappoint, we were allocated a good sized covered grass ring perfect for assessing the movement so important to the breed. I would also like to thank my stewards Janina Britton and Polly Amphlett who did a super job. 

It is 7 years since I last judged the breed and overall I believe the breed is in a pretty good place, my main concern I found was in front assemblies having high set shoulders, some lack a good return of upper arm which is visible in restricted front movement. Something as breeders that I beleive we should be focusing on correcting, these are a hunting hound and should have a free, balanced open side gait and once we loose this it will be extremely hard to get back. I was looking for that ‘typical’ afghan silhouette, flowing from nose to tail and I believe in my main winners I found that. Yes I know I made everyone move alot, but it was worth it, as I said above these are sighthounds, yes glamourous but they should be fit for function, well muscled and get better the more they move. I found the quality in the bitches to be much stronger than the males overall, which with careful consideration to breeding and choosing of stud dogs to compliment can only be a good thing. My open bitch class I could have swapped places many times it was such a close decision between all 5 places all excellent breed examples. 

I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I am extremely grateful to each and every exhibitor who took the time to condition and present their hounds to me, and for accepting my decisions. The ring side atmosphere and applause for both challenges made the energy with the dogs something very special. Thank you.

BEST OF BREED : 2899 DOWD, Miss C & MALIA, Miss A Ch SAXONMILL MIRROR IMAGE
Dog CC : 2925 JAMES, Mrs Emma & JAMES, Miss Imogen Ch Syrdarya Darjeeling chai of simkhan
Res Dog CC : 2911 GORMAN, Mrs T & GORMAN, Mr P & LATIMER, Mrs P A & Shahfoladi Sphinx riddle at zharook (ai) JW
Bitch CC : 2899 DOWD, Miss C & MALIA, Miss A Ch SAXONMILL MIRROR IMAGE
Res Bitch CC : 2937 MILLIGAN-BOTT, Mrs D & BOTT, Mr J Medawlark Attitude Is Key The Wones Thendara(imp.R
Best Puppy : 2955 SCOTT, Mrs Jackie & SCOTT, Mr Tim Altside Hot Shot At Arushkhan
Best Veteran : 2933 LINK, Mrs G A Int Ch Ned Popov's Bora Bora at Orashan JW

Class 1460 VD (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 2929 LATIMER, Mr &Mrs R.E. UK Ch JEREMIAH DE KOULANGAR AT ZHAROOK JW (Imp) Fr - 9year old black mask gold, beautiful head and expression, he has one of the best fronts hands on and a really super forechest balanced with a great sweep hip to low set hock. Level topline with defined fallaway and pin bones, long tail with ring which is raised in action as he takes effortless long sweeping strides. A real credit to his owner and very worthy champion. 
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Class 1461 MPD (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 2927 KIRK, Mr A & WILLIAMS, Mrs Elizabeth Istani Davidoff The Game - a houndy black and tan male, pleasing head and expression, correct bite, good underjaw. Balanced angles fore and aft, level topline, good fallaway, ring tail. Covered ground well and with ease once settled, has lots of maturing to do and needs to fill but plenty of scope to do this in his frame.
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Class 1462 PD (7 Entries) Abs: 0
It was lovely to see this good sized class of puppies, so important to the future of the breed. 1st: 2932 LEES, Mrs Sylvia Altside Micah Hot Prophet - Eye catching self mask cream, beautiful detailing already coming through in his head, great pigmentation, dark triangular eye, nice low set ears, scored in shoulder and front with balanced rear, level topline, good spring of ribs and depth of chest. covered ground well with a nice elevation to his stride, sound coming and going. Well handled to get the best from him.
2nd: 2917 HARWOOD, Mrs Mary & HARWOOD, Mr Mark Altside Too Hot To Handle (BA1)- Litter brother to first with many similar attributes, like with his brother he has a beautiful head and detailing, I was splitting hairs between them but just felt on the day his brother had the more settled movement. I am sure these two will swap places many times as they develop.
3rd: 2920 HITCH, Ms Melinda & HITCH, Mrs Norma ZENDUSHKAS TAKE THAT
Res: 2927 KIRK, Mr A & WILLIAMS, Mrs Elizabeth Istani Davidoff The Game
VHC: 2900 DRAGE, Mr & The Late Mrs Mike & Julie Zendushkas Born To Run

Class 1463 JD (7 Entries) Abs: 1
I found this a nice class to judge, this age is always an awkward one I find for the breed, they mature in different lines at different paces and some dogs with great potential went down the line but I had to judge on the day and in the future as they mature I'm sure they will fill, drop and change places 1st: 2906 FRENCH, Ms Margaret & FRENCH, Mr William SITANA MOON KNIGHT AT ZALMEERAH - This dog was new to me and he just kept catching my eye, the top three in this class all appealed for different reasons. For me this black and tan scored on his front assembly, his handler has a tendency to let him ‘rock back’ but when he stands himself you really see that lovely front that I had my hands on a close assessment, masculine head with roman nose and good under jaw, correct bite, good neck, level topline, prominent pin bones and good fallaway, long tail with ring, good sweep hip to low set hocks, nice easy action on the move covering the ground with ease.
2nd: 2940 MOORE, Mr Wendell Merrick Prince Charming Cloudside( imp Fin)- Self mask cream, very self assured for his age like he has done this before, it was a really close decision. Lovely chiselled head and detailing, good pigment, correct bite, low set ears well feathered, lovely clean outline, balanced angles, strong level topline, great depth of chest,  prominent pin bones, ringed tail which is raised in action, nice lift to his collected movement. Well handled and presented. He will be one to watch as he matures
3rd: 2954 ROPER, Mr David & MOORE, Ms Carol Sitana The kingsman at temenshu
Res: 2960 WEBSTER, Mr J & LLOYD, Mr Stephen Vindaloo Blow Your Mind to Montrabella (SWE imp)
VHC: 2913 GUNN, Mr Richard & GUNN, Miss Charlotte Katanga's God Of Thunder JW

Class 1464 YD (2 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 2911 GORMAN, Mrs T & GORMAN, Mr P & LATIMER, Mrs P A & Shahfoladi Sphinx riddle at zharook (ai) JW - Black and cream, striking male, he has the most lovely head and expression that dares you to look past him, lovely tight triangular eye, good underjaw, good length of neck. when you stand back and look at him he has that beautiful typical afghan flowing outline, level back with short compact loin, good angles fore and aft well muscled with good 2nd thigh, low set hocks, sloping pasterns with big front feet which he puts to use on the move, covering the ground effortlessly with nice easy long strides, moves with a style of high order. I was happy to award him the reserve dog CC and look forward to following his career. 
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Class 1465 ND (3 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 2927 KIRK, Mr A & WILLIAMS, Mrs Elizabeth Istani Davidoff The Game - see Puppy dog, same notes apply
2nd: 2963 WOODWARD, Mrs P Pramya King of Everything (imp Fin)- Black mask heavily coated gold, good under jaw and correct bite, I would prefer more detailing in his head which should come as it breaks and he matures, good low set ears, prominent occiput. He has a nice outline hands on but at the moment this is obscured by alot of coat, he is one that needs some time to mature but he possessed many excellent qualities like his natural saddle, level topline, defined fallaway, long tail with ring, balanced angles. He moves well  and covers the ground with ease, I will be interested to watch how he comes on, I just feel he will benefit from some time.  
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Class 1466 GD (2 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 2951 PEEK-MATAR, Mrs Deborah Yansukhim's Sherbet Fizz - Exuberant black brindle male, he has attitude in spades which sometimes can be his worst enemy on the move and he can be a little erratic, but as we know it is always better to have more than less that just needs harnessing, appealing head with correct bite, good strong neck, balanced angles, good forechest, level topline, prominent pin bones, good fallaway to long curved tail. he covers plenty of ground once he pulls himself together. 
2nd: 2926 KELLETT, Miss Lisa Geordele Born Free - Shaded black masked gold, really lovely head on this boy and expression, slight stop, prominant occiput, adequate neck, could have slight better layback in shoulder , level topline, good fallaway, good sweep hip to hock, steady mover, well presented in good coat and condition.
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Class 1467 PGD (7 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 2947 PARKER, Miss Claire M SAXONMILL MAJIC MOMENT AT KHATIRA - really lovely black and tan male, quality all through, he really appealed to me and was a strong consideration in the challenge, he is another that I look forward to follow in the future. Masculine head with nice breed points, punishing under jaw and he has that ‘look through you’ expression, he was presented in well muscled condition, good strong topline, prominent pin bones and fallaway, balanced angles, long ring tail raised in action as he powers round the ring with long easy strides, very sound coming and going.
2nd: 2919 HILLS, Miss M & THORNTON, Mrs B Absolute Afghans Djibouti at Karnak JW (Imp Nor) Black masked gold, lovely boy who I can tell is still developing and had a tendency to just stand a little high on the rear on the day, nether the less he shows much promise, nice head and expression with super punishing under jaw, good neck into well laid shoulders, balanced angles fore and aft, strong muscular topline, prominent pin bones good fallaway to long ring tail, nice big front feet, he shows beautifully for his talented owner handler with a nice easy gait, very sound coming, going and on the go around. 
3rd: 2942 NEWTON, Mrs L Shimalma Jagermeister
Res: 2901 DRAGE, Mr & The Late Mrs Mike & Julie Shimalma Drambuie
VHC: 2916 HARWOOD, Mrs Mary & HARWOOD, Mr Mark KRISHAN RAINBOW WARRIOR

Class 1468 LD (5 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 2922 HOPPER, Mr S FINCH & Miss E Zandahar Xtraordinary Me At Zinzani JW - really beautiful,  upstanding black and tan male who from the ring side has been a favourite of mine, he doesn't disappoint hands on, lovely head and expression, super under jaw, dark tight triangular eye, good neck into a well made front, level back, short loin, good fallway, super angles front and rear, long tail with ring. Sadly today he just wasn't quite giving it his all on the move, I learned after judging he had been stung in the morning and this clearly was sadly still effecting him in the ring, I hope he is much better. A really lovely boy.
2nd: 2910 GORMAN, Mrs T & GORMAN, Mr P & LATIMER, Mrs P A & Affietar Glen Sheil at Zharook- Black masked gold, longer cast than winner, good head and expression, correct bite, prominent occiput, good neck into a really good front assembly with matching correct rear angles. he was just on the stack dipping slightly in topline today but where he really comes into his own is on the move, he is effortless with the longest of easy strides with elevation so well handled by his owner, I could have watched him move all day. 
3rd: 2935 MCLAY, Mrs S Ann Cloudside Sun King
Res: 2904 FRENCH, Ms Margaret & FRENCH, Mr William Sitana Bijali Toofan At Zalmeerah
VHC: 2938 MITCHELL, Mrs W & SMITHSON, Mr G Zandahar Xplosive Storm

Class 1469 OD (6 Entries) Abs: 3
1st: 2925 JAMES, Mrs Emma & JAMES, Miss Imogen Ch Syrdarya Darjeeling chai of simkhan - so where do I start …. I remember turning round from the judges table and my eye being caught by what I would stick my neck out and say is a pretty perfect breed outline, he was everything I was looking to find, he flows from the tip of his nose to the ring in his tail, no bumps, breaks nothing interferes with your eye, he has the most classic of heads and expression, longest of neck into well laid shoulders, straight front legs with sloping pasterns, big feet, good spring of chest, level topline, long ring tail. He is the happiest of boys and today was his day, he powered round that ring so much so that his owner pulled a leg muscle! I hope you are ok!! in the challenge he just got better and lifted his game even more, I could not deny him the CC thank you so much for bringing him.
2nd: 2893 BARTRAM, Mrs B & BARTRAM, Mr R & PERRY, Miss S & B CH Gezancol Utter Chaos At Chardara - black male, well made all through, good head and expression, good neck into well placed shoulders, balanced angles front and rear, would prefer a stronger topline and he has a tendancy to rock back on himself, he has a good fallaway, low set hocks, big front feet, well sprung deep chest, where this dog really exels is in movement, its like he says im to bored to stand still let me run, his handler does a really super job with him and really showcases his long balanced strides, super sound coming anf going, his tail is always raised in action. Unlucky too meet the winner, called back in and considered for Res CC.
3rd: 2952 REED, Mrs Amanda Jayne & REED, Mr Terence Cloudside Sunstrike JW
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Class 1470 VB (3 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 2933 LINK, Mrs G A Int Ch Ned Popov's Bora Bora at Orashan JW-  9 ½ years, feminine back mask gold built on lovely lines, a very worthy champion, lovely dark mask with detailing, darkest of eye, good under jaw, lovely long neck into a good clean shoulder assembly, excellent topline, good fallaway, good sweep hip to hock, lovely long tail with ring, she shows like a 2 year old! such spring in her step, really covering the ground well. I had no hesitation is awarding her best veteran in breed and she did me proud in the main ring.
2nd: 2924 JAMES, Mrs Emma & JAMES, Miss Imogen Ch Gilari Vermillion Venus JW- self mask red bitch, lovely feminine head, another still in her prime and worthy champions. Classic flowing outline, quality all through, presented in beautiful coat and condition, moved well with long easy strides.
3rd: 2892 ADAMS, Mrs G Ch Zandahar Just Tiger Lily JW Sh.CM VW
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Class 1471 MPB (3 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 2915 HANNIGAN, Miss Marie Claire & WHITEHEAD, Miss F & Zobear Here's Drama - Black - going through that ‘awkward’ leggy stage but once she collected herself she was just beautiful, she is full of spirit and clearly likes to challenge her owner handler, but once they get their act together they will have a lot of fun. Lovely feminine head with chiselling already coming in, good under jaw, tight triangular eye, good neck into tidy clean shoulders, strong level topline, good fallaway, long ring tail,  covers heaps of ground on the move with a light springy action, will watch her with interest.
2nd: 2946 NISBET, Mrs F & FORRESTER, Ms A B & SMITH, J Finix Just A Girl (ai)- Black and tan, very much the baby but is growing up balanced all through, lovely bone, pretty head and expression, correct bite, level topline, lovely rear angulation with great sweep hip to hock, long ring tail, very collected for her age, she was just moving a little close behind today as she learns how to use those angles but really pushed one for the class, I'm sure she will have a really lovely future and shows so much  promise, she is another I look forward to watch as she matures.
3rd: 2953 RHODES, Mrs Susan Madeleine Alaqadar Ariodante of Shadowfax (Imp)
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Class 1472 PB (3 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 2955 SCOTT, Mrs Jackie & SCOTT, Mr Tim Altside Hot Shot At Arushkhan - self masked cream, litter sister to my first 2 in puppy dog, all peas from a pod, she really took my eye, she has the most beautiful head, chisseling and fantastic dark pigment which is so appealing. long neck into well laid shoulders, good return of upper arm, level topline, strong loin, good fallaway, great sweep hip to low set hocks, ringed tail. beautiful, free, open side gait which is effortless as she moves as one with her owner. I kept her in for serious consideration in the bitch CC to the final 4 and had no hesitation giving her BPIB and she gave a fantastic account of herself in the puppy group. 
2nd: 2941 MOYES, Mrs E & LOCKETT-DAVIES, Ms E & SHAW, Miss J Rhazmakh Heart O'Summer By Bryelis - Black and tan, lovely for size and type, she is raw and still just to drop a little in rear but I thought she was lovely. Pretty head and expression, good neck into well laid shoulder, good fallaway, long ringed tail raised in action. Lovely steady, sound mover. 
3rd: 2953 RHODES, Mrs Susan Madeleine Alaqadar Ariodante of Shadowfax (Imp)
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Class 1473 JB (3 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: 2931 LATIMER, Mr &Mrs R.E. & GORMAN, Mr & Mrs P Sitana Moon Star at Zharook JW -  now this wild child is the one that once tamed will be one to watch, she has lovely breed type, beautiful head and expression with lovely detailing, punishing under jaw, tight dark, triangular eyes, good neck into a super front assebly with accompanying balanced rear. lovely overall flowing outline no breaks and bumps, long ring tail. Once she gets her act together on the move she will really go places, I saw those few second glimmers of this, with long open easy strides with elevation. I found out looking at he catalogue after that she is litter sister to my junior dog. 
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Class 1474 YB (1 Entries) Abs: 1

Class 1475 NB (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 2955 SCOTT, Mrs Jackie & SCOTT, Mr Tim Altside Hot Shot At Arushkhan - same notes apply as above in puppy 
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Class 1476 GB (3 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 2912 GREEN, Mrs Sue & POWELL, Mr Des Yansukhim's Candy Floss - Black brindle, pleasing head and expression, prominent occiput, good neck into well laid shoulders, level topline,  good prominent pin bones and fallaway, correct well set tail, balanced angles for and aft, moved with spirit and covered the ground with long easy strides.
2nd: 2923 HUGHES, Miss Melanie Alishan Sensa Una Donna at Nantmelan NAF FR IMP- Tall rangy girl, pretty head with dark triangular eyeshape, good neck into good front assembly, matching rear angles, level topline, ring tail, moved well, steady with easy gait, tail rasied in acton. 
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Class 1477 PGB (4 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 2902 EDWARDS, Mrs S J Rhajikhan Aurora - Red brindle bitch, grabs your eye in the line up, pretty head but really gives you that ‘ i dare you’ stare, really punishing under jaw, this girl is all muscle and condition and absolutely gives you the impression she could run for hours over desert planes, good neck, level muscled topline, short powerful loin, balanced angles front and rear, good fallaway and well set tail. She comes to live on the move with powerful action, a real style of high order, considered her in my top 4 for the CC will watch her mature with interest.
2nd: 2939 MITCHELL, Mrs W & THORNTON, Mrs B & SMITHSON, Mr G Absolute Afghan's India at Karnak (IMP NOR)- slightly longer cast than winner,  beautifully presented in excellent coat an condition, unlucky to meet winner, nice head and expression, lovely outline, balanced angles front and rear, level topline, prominent pin bones, ring tail, sound coming and going and cover ground with ease.
3rd: 2903 FISHER, Mr Ian Ralph & FISHER, Mrs Mary SHIMALMA CAMPARI GOES TO IFMARAF
Res: 2936 MEDLEY, Mrs Joanna Elizabeth Altside She's Hot
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Class 1478 LB (5 Entries) Abs: 0
A really lovely class of beautiful girls 1st: 2937 MILLIGAN-BOTT, Mrs D & BOTT, Mr J Medawlark Attitude Is Key The Wones Thendara(imp.R - Feminine black and tan, prettiest of heads with dark triangular eye, good under jaw, correct bite, lovely an clean to go over, good neck into a super front assembly, good depth of chest, well sprung ribs, short powerful loin, long tail with ring, great sweep hip to hock, sound coming and going, very light on her feet, great bounce to her action and covered ground with ease. I was happy to award her the Reserve bitch CC in what was a really lovely bitch entry, she was unlucky to meet my CC winner on such top form they are both truly lovely bitches. 
2nd: 2918 HEDGE, Mr B & Mrs N Unstoppable Happy Go Lucky (ai) (Swed Imp) - Quality black bitch, nice size and outline, pretty head and expression, punishing underjaw, long neck into well laid shoulders, good forechest, level topline, complimentary angles for and aft, long ringed tail raised in action, she comes alive on the move, I loved her effortless movement and spring. A close decision.
3rd: 2896 CULLEN, Mrs T M Cloudside Sevillana At Eweyisska (Ai)
Res: 2959 WAGGETT, Mrs B & WILKINSON, Mr & Mrs I & J Saxonmill Kiss Bang Bang Clenagh JW
VHC: 2928 KIRK, Mr A & WILLIAMS, Mrs Elizabeth Calamus Dirty Dancing at Istani (imp pol)

Class 1479 OB (6 Entries) Abs: 1
 

Before I start, I have to say this class for quality is one of the best open bitch classes I have judged, very close decisions had to be made, these could swap on any given day. 5 beautiful champions all a total credit to their owners 

1st: 2899 DOWD, Miss C & MALIA, Miss A Ch SAXONMILL MIRROR IMAGE - well every dog has its day and today it was hers, totally on her game, at one with her owner handler she is a bitch I have admired from the ring side since a puppy, she is perfect for size, and has the same flowing outline as my male CC, sheer quality and class, the owner always has the best muscle and condition on her dogs I have judged previously and she was no different, under that silky coat is a dog who is fully fit for function. Prettiest of heads, great breed details, punishing under jaw, correct dentition, prominent occiput, long neck into well placed shoulders, strong level back, short powerful loin, great sweep hip to low set driving hocks, long ring tail. her movement is light, yet powerful,  she glides round the ring effortlessly, so sound coming and going and balanced on the go around. I was happy to award her the CC and Best of Breed and she gave great account of herself in a very strong hound group.
2nd: 2944 NISBET & FORRESTER, Ch Zandahar Xclusively for Finix JW - Black and tan, well made, quality bitch who was unlucky to meet 1 on such top form, she has one of the best fronts of the day, great forechest, really beautiful in outline, lovely head and expression, balanced angles front and rear, strong level topline, prominent hip bones and good fallway, well set long ringed tail, beautiful sound mover, great forward extension and complimentary driving rear action. Called back in for consideration for Res CC.
3rd: 2914 HALL, Mrs Roberta Ch Saxonmill Majic Mirror
Res: 2908 GILBERT, Mr R Ch Altside Hot As Hell At Affietar
VHC: 2945 NISBET & FORRESTER, Ch Pramya Hot But Not Blonde at Finix (Imp Fin) JW