SIGHTHOUND Q&A
needs to be in fit condition, with hard muscles, strong feet, and powerful underjaws for those breeds that need to catch and kill their game. Sadly, many of the coated Sighthounds have “GONE HOLLYWOOD” in excesses of coat when the Standards’ directive is for “NO CLIPPING OR TRIMMING,” WHICH IS SO VERY SADLY IGNORED IN NEARLY EVERY REGISTRY IN THE WORLD. The Afghan Hound’s most unique characteristic is its “natural saddle that runs down their back.” Also becoming a major concern is the exaggerated style, with unbalanced angulation being impacted the most. Too many look like the “Hood Ornament of my Grandfather’s ‘58 Buick or the Concord Jet on take-off.” What we really want to see is a dog that “Owns the Ground” without being wrangled into an extreme stack. Research the series of articles by Conni Miller called, Gazehounds: The Search for Truth (c.1988 Hoflin Publishing). Can I speak to the value of a performance title on a Sighthound? There is no better way to prove a Sighthound’s mettle than by being recognized for what it was bred to do. In my opinion, are Basenjis and Rhodesian Ridgebacks true Sighthounds? I was part of the original decision to include both breeds as Sighthounds, and do not regret supporting that deci- sion. Both breeds utilize great speed and sight to perform their primary function. Do I consider the Ibizan Hound, Pharaoh Hound, Cirneco dell’Etna, and the Podengos to be Sighthounds? Indeed, and with- out question; just seeing how each of the breeds “works” would make this question redundant. Is there a funny story that I can share about my experiences judging the Sighthound breeds? A great all-breed judge gave me BIS with “Tryst” when I was working overtime to keep her from being fixated on the hot air balloons aloft over our heads. The judge wrote on the big Rosette: “Thank God for Hot Air Balloons... I was mes- merized watching her watch them!” This judge obviously rewarded what a Sighthound was bred to do! KAREN DUMKE Breeding and showing under the Nonsuch prefix, I have been involved in showing Sighthounds and Terriers since 1982. I started with Borzoi and Juniors in 1998, and have acquired the Hound Group and part of the Terrier Group, BIS, and Miscellaneous. When I judge, I want to always be fair, follow the breed standards, and reward the best dogs. Along the way, I always try to give the dogs and handlers a positive ring experience that encourages them to continue showing. I have judged all-breed and specialty shows of various breeds all across the country. Since I love to travel, my goal is to continue to complete the Terrier Group and, ultimately, judge abroad. Thank you for asking me to do this interview. Where do I live? I live in Wisconsin during the summer and in Florida during the winter. How many years in dogs? How many as a judge? I started showing purebred dogs in 1982, and was approved to judge in 1998. Do I have any hobbies or interests apart from purebred dogs? Besides dogs, I’m an avid lifelong equestrian. I also golf casually, practice archery and, of course, love to travel! Can I talk about my introduction to Sighthounds? I started in Borzoi, which is one of the three Sighthound breeds that I bred and showed. I also had Whippets and Afghan Hounds. I’ve owned Greyhounds and I did finish one, but never bred them.
Can I talk about my introduction to Sighthounds? I inherited my relationship with Sighthounds from my parents’ attraction to them. It started with the Afghan Hound, but would grow to include Salukis and Whippets in the home. My handling included show- ing most all of the Sighthounds. I finished the first Ibizan Hound ever, the first male Pharaoh Hound, and I titled many Borzoi and Greyhounds. Have I bred any influential Sighthounds or shown any notable winners? I have shown over 100 Afghan Hounds to their champion- ship; the combined success with Kandahara Hounds of my parents, Lee and Jim Canalizo, and Grandeur Afghan Hounds, bred and owned by Roger and Evelyn Rechler. I was the breeder/owner-han- dler of the Top-Winning Hound (male) of all-time, Ch. Triumph of Grandeur with 86 BIS, and his daughter, Ch. Int. Ch. Tryst of Grandeur. Shown by me, “Tryst” is the Top-Winning Hound of All-Time with 161 BIS. I have won Winners at both the Saluki and Greyhound Nationals over the years, and BOB and Group awards at Westminster in Afghan Hounds and Salukis. Although not asked, I have judged (or am scheduled to judge) every Sighthound breed at the Specialty level, both here and abroad. Can I speak a bit about breed-specific presentation in Sight- hounds? Showing a Sighthound is part talent, part artistry, and a larger amount of luck! They inherently write their own rules, and most come by it “naturally.” The smartest Sighthounds will always jump the tape on the floor—if they can see it with the “clear out- look” due to their level planes of the head as opposed to down-faced head planes that impair their line of vision. They will never be will- ing to run full speed towards a solid wall or run under a flapping tent overhead... they know what could/can/is a potential danger— if they are among those keen hunter types. What about breed character? How do I assess this in the Sight- hound breeds? It can’t be stressed enough that Sighthounds benefit most from someone who “understands” and “respects” their God- given abilities. They will retract from a sudden incident/approach, but NOT BECAUSE THEY FEAR IT. It’s because they need to adjust, visually, to any movement, especially when it is close to their field of vision. Care has to be made to know what is aloof and dig- nified as opposed to shy and fearful. The latter should never be rewarded. Think of Sighthounds like the British Royal family that we admire: No matter how bad a day they might be having, they remain calm, hold a proper posture, and never recoil and/or scream in fear. No true Sighthound, if put off by an uneven approach, will ever let you repeat an attempt from the wrong way. Sometimes the trick is to have the handler steady their head and come up from the “right side rear” and examine “backwards.” Once you have a hand on them, they will usually “allow” one to continue. This does not mean that they should be rewarded for any degree of shyness, unless there was a verifiable reason for the reaction; a sudden distraction, loud noise, etc. (We would expect that they would recover quickly under these scenarios.) FYI: As a breeder, poor temperament would never be furthered into the breeding progam—no exceptions! And as a judge, if you’re evaluating “breeding stock,” this cannot be over- emphasized—regardless of the breed. Please be aware that with the Azawakh, approach in the show ring has to be kept to a bare mini- mum because of the breed’s closeness to a primitive hunting/guard- ian breed. Those who truly understand the breed will know how much leeway is acceptable. Can a Sighthound be too elegant? Let me put it this way... The Sighthounds kept by Royal Families were not pampered, put in glorious coat first, and then, hopefully, able to run down din- ner. ONLY those that were keen hunters that did/could run down dinner were the ones prized and kept in that fashion. Every Sight- hound had a “job” that included long hours of running on dif- ficult terrain and under harsh conditions. Every superior Hound
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2021 | 237
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