Evening star., 1940-04-07
KEEPING TAB ON THE DOG WORLD
News Of Leaders Dogdom and Their Masters; Comments on
Breeds: Notes Shows Here and Elsewhere
By r. r. Tavnfon.

Tho Afghan hound Is q dog that
commands attention wherever seen.
No other breed 50 typifles the exotic
and romantic character Of the Near
East. No other breed is 80 capable
Of striking both the eye and the
imagination. It's appearance is
markedly different from that Of any
other breed, with the possible excep-
ton Of its fellow oriental hound, the
saluki. It shows none Of the effects
Of cross-breeding or human tamper-
ing 50 evident In other breeds. Any
relationship to other dogs indicates
that dogs Of the Afghan type may
have been progenitors Of the others,
not that the others had any part in
evolving the Afghan.
Whereas in other ancient breeds,
antiquity and early origin are q
matter Of conjecture in this breed
there Is pictorial evidence in the
tombs Of the ancient Pharoahs and
elsewhere to prove that the Afghan
hound existed in those days exactly
as he is today. So sure are the
Shikaris Of Afghanistan about the
age Of their breed, that they claim
this to have been the breed Of dog
taken by Noah into the Ark!
Contrary to popular opinion, the
Afghan hound is not geographically
limited to Afghanistan. The same
hound is to be found throughout the
borderland and Northern India,
where 1t is variously called the Bar
akzoi, the Kurram Valley hound or
the Baluchi hound. Nor is the dog
limited in use to hunting deer and
smaller animals. In its native land
1t is used to herd cattle and sheep
as well as to guard the home and
other property.
Pillars Of Breed.
The Afghan hound was first in
troduced to the British dog show
going public In 1907. At that time,
Mrs. Amps showed Zardin, which
was the sensation Of the show.
Later. Mr.. Amps imported Sirdar
and Kahn Of Ghazni, the two studs
which proved to be the pillars of the
breed. both in England and here.
Sirdar was. the sire of Oh. Sirdar
OF Ghazni. which won for Miss
Phyllis Robson. present editor and
publisher Of the British Popular
Dogs. 1t was this dog that led Miss
Robson into taking such an active
part in the breed and caused the
rapid rise in popularity of the new
conner Ch. Sirdar was the sire CT
Oh. Badshah of Ainsdart, which hs d
phenomenal show record in Eng
land and was then exported to this
country, where he has been the lead
ing sire.
In temperament, as in appear
ance. the Afghan differs from most
other known breeds of dogs. He is
very aloof. being truly an aristocrat
in bearing, and carrying his aris-
tocracy at times to the point OF
snobbiShness. He is extremely ull-
interested in strange dogs and in
strange people, but his lack of in
terest does not indicate either fear
or shyness. To his owners, he is
truly devoted and faithful. not as a
servant but as friend. While most
dogs gulp their foods and. being in
good health eat anything in reason
the Afghan is noted for his dainty
table manners and fastidious appe-
tite. He eats lightly, taking small
morsels at time. and rejects all but
the daintiest Of dog foods.
Bred in the mountains of Afghan
istan and trained for centuries to
climb or hurdle anything, the AZ
CHAN hound has a very distinct
framework. Unlike other coursing
hounds, his body is close coupled
and compact. His prominent hip
bones are extra wide set, making it
easy for him to negotiate hilly ter
rain. His hind quarters are very
strong and muscular. with extra
great length between hip and hook
and with fair bend of stif1e.
The head of the Afghan hound is
long, narrow and free from stop
The skull is oval and the occipital
bone should be prominent, although
covered with the profuse. silky HAIR
of the topknot. The mouth must
be level. Tho ears long and dark eyes
are preferred.
Differ on Length.
While the English standards states
that the body should have ample
length British authorities seem to
differ on that point, some claiming
the compact dog the correct type
However, the dog should be we'll
ribbed and have good tuckup. The
tail should be set on low, but carried
gayly while the dog is in motion.
The legs should be straight and
strong, with large feet covered with
fine, long. thick hair. The gait OF
the Afghan is distinctive, showing a
marked rocking effect on the pas
terms and rather close behind.
While color in the Afghan is i'm
material, varying from almost pure
white to almost pure black, through
the blues, fawns and brindles, coat
is of great importance. The true
Afghan coat is very profuse, long