Showsight - July 2017

Afghan Hounds. I became interested in showing in 1955, when I acquired my first Afghan Hound. A year later, after I acquired my foundation bitch, I founded Charaj Ken- nels. I have had an excellent breeding and showing career, marked with many champions and specialty and group win- ners, as well as, having the top producing Afghan Hound bitch in the country in 1970. In addition to Afghans, I owned and bred Salukis and have owned Chinese Cresteds and Affenpinschers. I judge all breeds; I started judging in 1965 (in my mid- 20s) and 2017 marks 52 years of judging. Assignments have brought me to almost every state in the union and to Canada, Mexico, Israel, Japan, Finland, Puerto Rico, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries. Career highlights include the Hound and Working Groups at Westminster, Hound and Working Groups and Best In Show at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Shows, as well as breed judging several times at Westminster and at AKC/Eukanuba. I have judged the Afghan Hound Club of America National Specialty four times, the Saluki Club of America National Specialty and the World Dog Show. I am a retired Architect and Real Estate Developer and an Emeritus member of the American Institute of Architects. I’m also an honorary member of the Dayton Kennel Club and a member of the Cary Kennel Club and the Saluki Club of America. I have been president, show chairman and treasurer of the Afghan Hound Club of Southwestern Ohio, have served Dayton Kennel Club as president, show chairman and AKC Delegate and served on the Board of Directors of the Afghan Hound Club of America and am now a Lifetime Member. PAT TROTTER 1. An overview of the Sighthounds (purpose, tempera- ment, popularity, not necessarily by individual breed, but in general). GB: My definition of a Sighthound: a breed of dogs that hunts by sight and after seeing its prey, runs it down and kills it. I know that definition eliminates several breeds currently called Sighthounds, including Basenji, Italian Greyhounds and Ridgebacks. I especially like and very much admire Ridgebacks, but I do not consider them Sighthounds. Because they hunt ahead of the gun, they are more independent and require different approach in training and a kind hand. EB&JM: Personality and temperament of Sighthounds versus Scenthounds are very different from each other or, at least that has been my experience. In my opinion, it takes a special individual to live with a Sighthound,

not because they are difficult, but mainly due to the amount of time they require from the owner to be happy. MC: Sighthounds share the same commonality in purpose and that is being built for speed and endurance in pursuit of game. Most breeds are expected to first visualize the prey while scanning the field at a reconnaissance trot, they will then break into a full gallop in pursuit of the game then once caught, they swiftly grasp the game and break its neck. This instinct lays just below the surface of the current hound and their/the natural reaction to hunt is very present when the opportunity presents itself. For those reasons, they are not well suited off lead and the ability to cover great distance in short order will often take them out of sight within seconds. These keen abilities are coupled with an almost cat-like personality. Sleek, independent, laid back, yet cunning—the minor differences between the long-legged Sighthounds usually concerns the type of terrain they were expected to work. Afghan Hounds were rocky and mountainous while the Saluki and Azawakh more suited to the desert. The shorter-legged Whippet had other influences that added a speed component to their hunting prowess and the Basenji worker closer to their masters as part of a pack, where their size made them portable and they forced small game into nets for the tribesman to retrieve. All of these traits can be problematic in a calm household if not understood, but many find them perfect for their lifestyle—not in spite of their independence, but because of it. PS: The basic purpose of the development of the Sight- hounds was to hunt game by sight. These hounds are among the most ancient of pure breeds. The Greyhound has been the constant compaion of man from 2000 years BC. The Sighthounds are an aloof breed bearing great dignity and are aristocratic in their attitude. I feel they have fallen off in popularity in recent years. You do not see the depth of quality in the show ring that you saw in the 1960s or 70s.

“THE BASIC PURPOSE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SIGHTHOUNDS WAS TO HUNT GAME BY SIGHT.”

188 • S how S ight M agazine , J uly 2017

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