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CELEBRATING THE CENTENARY OF THE AFGHAN HOUND IN THE UK |
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Much has already been written about the first imports into the UK and for in depth information, I would recommend 'The Afghan Hound' A Definitive Study by Margaret Niblock and 'The Afghan Hound' written in 1951 by Clifford Hubbard as being worth studying amongst others. What I have deduced from my research is that the first imports into the UK were during the 1880s and were shown as Foreign Dogs - listed as Persian Greyhounds, but very little is known about their background. The Afghan Hound influenced by the import of Zardin in 1907 and the first standard was later based on this dog, as he was said to possess the true characteristics of the Afghan Hound. It was not until after the war in the early 20s that more Afghans were imported and these were later to be known as the two main types: The desert hound was imported by Major Bell Murray and his governess Miss Manson and the mountain type imported by Mr and Mrs Amps of the Ghazni kennel. There was also a heavier well coated brindle bitch called Pushum, from which every brindle is said to descend and two other hounds imported in 1924-5 called Shahzade and Afroz. After much discussion of which type was right or wrong and the apparent myths and stories about their heritage and hunting capabilities, the wise 'men' from the west decreed that the new standard should be based on Sirdar of Ghazni, a popular, well tempered male. What we can, in my opinion, be sure of, is that we inherited in these imports, sound, healthy, hunting Tazis, fit for purpose. Any unhealthy specimens would have been culled by nature, as being too week or badly made to be able to catch enough food for survival. It is not inconceivable that the two types occasionally met and reproduced in their home lands and each type would carry the others genes. It is also feasible that the tribesmen wanted to introduce the other type into their stock to improve speed or stamina. It has been suggested that some of the heavier dogs may have mated to Tibetan Mastiffs to enhance their guarding instincts and that this could be the reason for the Black and Tan colouring. It has also been suggested that the lighter framed desert type could have mated to the Indian Rampur and this perhaps gave some of the blue/grey colouring. Another possibility is that Tazis of all types, over the generations mated with the many Tazis from neighbouring countries. Whatever the truth of their inheritance and the genes they carried, the breed has a standard based on Sirdar of Ghazni, with several amendments since. To understand the Afghan Hound we must refer back to the original imports that were brought out of Afghanistan a century ago. It is essential to imagine them back in their native surroundings, with the hardships in that cruel climate. These Afghans were highly intelligent alert hounds, not the easy going 'pet' that has evolved from breeding programmes over the years. They came to us as an original fascinating hound of beauty, well balanced and majestic, up to the hunt and a lovely charming hound, close to nature. The two main types were interbred and it is therefore necessary to study the differences between those types. Dawn Kirwan - Padaki Afghan Hounds Email: dawn.padaki@blueyonder.co.uk
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