SIGHTHOUND THE
1. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many as a judge? 2. Do you have any hobbies or interests apart from purebred dogs? 3. Can you talk about your introduction to Sighthounds? 4. Have you bred any influential Sighthounds? Have you shown any notable winners? 5. Can you speak a bit about breed-specific presentation in Sight- hounds? Any examples? 6. What about breed character? How do you assess this in the Sighthound breeds? 7. Sighthounds are certainly elegant hunters. But can a Sight- hound be too elegant? 8. Can you speak to the value of a performance title on a Sighthound? 9. In your opinion, are Basenjis and Rhodesian Ridgebacks true Sighthounds? 10. Do you consider the Ibizan Hound, Pharaoh Hound, Cirneco dell’Etna, and the Podengos to be Sighthounds? 11. Which Sighthounds from the past have had the greatest influ- ence on the sport? 12. Is there a funny story that you can share about your experi- ences judging the Sighthound breeds? JOANNE BUEHLER
put a meal or party together from start to finish. I am always up for trying something new in any of these areas. Can I talk about my introduction to Sighthounds? My intro to Sighthounds just happened because they are what they are. One November, many years ago, I was walking a beach at Marblehead, Massachusetts, when I saw these two deep red-colored dogs danc- ing and chasing on the beach. They were mesmerizing! They were Afghan Hounds, and my fascination began. Have I bred any influential Sighthounds or shown any notable winners? My breeding of SBIS Ch. Sankhya Chances Are answers both questions. He is behind many dogs here and abroad, including the No. 1 Afghan Hound in 2014, aka “Ryder.” Can I speak a bit about breed-specific presentation in Sight- hounds? Sighthounds show themselves and really do not need a lot of overhandling; the less the better, once they are trained. Overhan- dling can also be very deceptive. What about breed character? Breed characteristics ARE the breed. Without the basic breed-specific characteristics, the given “breed” would be missing. It must always be present, subject to individual interpretation, but nonetheless present. How do I assess this in the Sighthound breeds? Without this (breed characteristics) a Sighthound would not be a Sighthound. They define the breed. They bring out the strengths of the breed that set it apart from other breeds. Can a Sighthound be too elegant? Most likely, they can be, but this is very seldom seen. They still must be able to do the job they were bred and kept for. If this is lost, then truly the “breed” is miss- ing in any given animal. Can I speak to the value of a performance title on a Sighthound? The title itself is up to the owners to pursue, but the ability and desire to hunt like a Sighthound is essential to breed type! In my opinion, are Basenjis and Rhodesian Ridgebacks true Sighthounds? I think they use sight well enough in their pursuit of game, so I have no issue with their inclusion in the Sighthound grouping. The degree of “sight” hound in each Sighthound varies, too, beyond a very few that are, basically, pure sight hunters. Do I consider the Ibizan Hound, Pharaoh Hound, Cirneco dell’Etna, and the Podengos to be Sighthounds? I think the latter two in this group of breeds lead to more raised eyebrows than the first two. My answer for Ibizan and Pharaoh Hounds is the same as for Basenji and Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Which Sighthounds from the past have had the greatest influ- ence on the sport? Hard to pinpoint; Shirkhan of Grandeur, “Pep- si,” “Zee”—so many more. MICHAEL CANALIZO
I have been involved with purebred dogs most of my life, breeding and competitively showing Afghan Hounds since the 1970s. In addition to han- dling my own dogs, I’ve have handled dogs of several other breeds for friends. I have also participated in all aspects of purebred dogs, including handling classes, coursing, field work, and obedi- ence. I am involved with Specialty and All-Breed Clubs and I’ve chaired many
national and regional events. Judging since 2002, I’m currently approved by the AKC to judge over 100 breeds across all seven Groups. Learning the history and function of a breed is essential to understanding breed type. Correct breed-specific movement is a fundamental part of breed type. My judging is always based on breed type. I hold a BS in Biology (State Univeristy of New York at Albany), an MA in Secondary Curriculum and Science Ed, along with doc- torial coursework (Michigan State University), and an additional partial MS in Public Communication (Boston University). I love judging and my pleasure is shared with the exhibitors. Where do I live? I recently relocated to Melbourne, Florida, from the greater DC area, after 35 years there. This was proceeded by six years in Seattle after I’d acquired my first Afghan Hound while living in New England. How many years in dogs? I have been in dogs for 43 years. How many as a judge? I’ve been judging for 19 years. Do I have any hobbies or interests apart from purebred dogs? After my fancy with dogs, it’s plants. I love starting new ones from scraps, cuttings or seed; art, most aspects of design—clothing, col- or, shape, and function. Cooking is also a passion. I really like to
Where do I live? New York, born and raised. And, like all good NY’ers, I have a winter home in Florida. How many years in dogs? My first dog, 1961; first litter, 1966... and most recently, 2017. How many years as a judge? I was approved to judge in 2000; now, close to five full Groups. Do I have any hobbies or interests apart from purebred dogs? Contempo- rary art, Mid-Century Modern Archi- tecture, New York Theater.
236 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2021
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