Page 129 - ShowSight - May 2020

THE
HOUND GROUP
1. Where do you live? What is your breed? How many years in dogs?
2. What do you do “outside” of dogs? Any other hobbies or interests?
3. Provide a brief overview of your breed’s purpose, temperament and level of care.
4. Most of the Hound breeds were developed for specific (out- door) purposes, but now they lead primarily indoor, air-con- ditioned lives. How do you think Hounds have adapted to this change? Your breed in particular?
5. Current overall quality of the breed?
6. What changes have you seen during your time involved in the breed?
7. Any shift in the balance of popularity among breeds, and why?
8. Any particular challenges that you, as a breeder/owner, face in our current economic/social climate?
9. Any trends you see that you hope will continue? Any that you’d like to see stopped?
10. Biggest pitfall awaiting new and novice judges?
11. There are numerous Hounds that are considered “glamour” breeds, and some that are more familiar in make and shape. Does this affect their recognition in Group and Best in Show competition?
12. Anything else you’ d like to share?
13. And for a bit of humor, what’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen at a dog show?
MICHAEL CANALIZO
I currently live in New York and have for most of my life. My
primary breed is Afghan Hounds with almost 60 years in dogs now! What do I do “outside” of dogs? Most outside interests are cen-
tered on art, architecture, travel and family.
A brief overview of my breed’s purpose, temperament and level
of care: They are an athletic hunter of small game over very rough, mountainous terrain. Their temperament is much like the country they originated in, exotically and intensely beguiling, with a fierce ability to go from outgoing (gay) to strong, cunning and fast.
How do I think Hounds have adapted to the change to indoor living? The Afghan Hound can enjoy the attention as a house dog in comfort, but they have never lost their instinctive/underlying desire to give chase in a split second.
The current overall quality of my breed? The breed has long- time breeders still active and they are fighting very hard not to see their unusual and peculiar breed change into an over-coated, over-stylized, unbalanced Hound that couldn’t do an hours “work” much less days of work.
What changes have I seen during my time involved in the breed? We have suffered many “fads” over the years. Once it was excess in coat and speed in showing, then (as have many other breeds) the overdone rear would get extreme and fronts were forced into a more upright action to compensate for the unbalanced rear. When you lose shoulders, necks lose arch and strength—it looks “pretty,” but straight fronts break down quickly and that impedes function and will cause their large feet to deteriorate. Same goes for when head properties change. The “level” plane becomes down-faced and ergo, there goes their “clear outlook” which is paramount to any func- tioning Sighthound. And the current trend for colors not supported by history are most disturbing.
Any shift in the balance of popularity among breeds, and why? Big shift in the Afghan Hound—they need careful coat mainte- nance, they enjoy room to run, but can also be fine in a home. The new, younger generation is looking for easy care breeds. They have always been a repeat-owned breed. If you know them, understand them and respect them, you will always have one!
Any trends I see that I hope will continue? Seeing the breed compete in “Performance Events” for Coursing and Fast Track highlights their abilities. Any that I’d like to see stopped? I think the “last generation” of breeders who have gripped onto the Stan- dard’s intention might soon be extinct.
Biggest pitfall awaiting new and novice judges? Not supporting the Standard’s directive for the breed “to be shown without clipping or trimming”—they are ruining one of the breed’s most outstand- ing characteristics of their “Smooth haired saddle.” You think it’s okay to ignore something man-made, but that’s not man-made. When they shave off a hairy saddle it means there is no smooth- haired saddle! Same for artificial man-made tails; no one knows any more which dog they can breed to and expect a natural curve or ring anymore. I’d rather award a tail with issues if it’s a God-given one over the Number 2 tail that wouldn’t ring on a skinny thin tail in a million years—the list is long! But most importantly, never reward bad temperament. Aloof is like royalty, they have a certain posture and air of being reserved and tolerant under every situation without recoiling in fear. Aloof is not a pass for spooky—know the differ- ence from being reactive, which is an innate protective trait, from fear and sharpness.
There are numerous Hounds that are considered “glamour” breeds, and some that are more familiar in make and shape. Does this affect their recognition in Group and Best in Show competi- tion? I have to say yes, they do attract more attention as a show dog. It’s a cross we have to bear, but to see the ones that look like the “Hood ornament of my Grandfather’s Buick” win over a proper, well-constructed Hound is often disappointing.
I hope these comments are taken to heart from one who is very concerned for the future of my breed.
The funniest thing I’ve ever seen at a dog show? Watching my mentor, Sunny Shay, run around a ring without losing a step when her slip fell to the ground, her wig flew off and only when her leop- ard print bra (of substantial volume) was exposed—when her blouse burst open—did she stop, which was also at the end of the lap!
DEBORAH BAHM
I have been showing dogs under the name DEBMAR for over 50 years. After many Champions in other breeds I fell in love with the Whippet. We have been honored by the American Whippet Club one year as Breeder of the most Champions bred for that year and honored by the AKC as Breeder of The Year, Lure Coursing. We’ve bred two CWA National Winners and two year end winners.
I live in Bush, Louisiana. I’ve been involved with dogs for 58 years—my entire life is devoted to dog activities.
How do I think Hounds have adapted to living indoors? I believe most Hound breeds seem to have been able to adapt to being loved as indoor house pets without losing their drive and instinct to do
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2020 | 127